Rishiri Island

An island in the Sea of ​​Japan in northern Hokkaido. It is located about 20 km west of the main island of Hokkaido across the Rishiri Strait, and faces Rebun Island across the Rebun Strait about 10 km northwest. The entire island is made up of the stratovolcano Mount Rishiri (1,721 meters), and is a nearly circular island measuring 19 km north to south and 14 km east to west. It has a circumference of about 65 km and an area of ​​182.18 square kilometers. The name of the island comes from the Ainu word Rishiri (high island). The eastern half belongs to Rishirifuji Town under the jurisdiction of the Soya General Bureau, and the western half belongs to Rishiri Town. Mount Rishiri is a beautiful conical volcano, also known as Rishiri Fuji, but the summit has been significantly dissected. There are several parasitic volcanoes at the foot of the mountain, which are accompanied by volcanic fans. All settlements are located on the coast, and there are many kelp drying areas. There is a bus road that connects the villages and circles the island. There are scenic spots such as Kutsugata Cape, Otadoma Lake, and Himenuma Lake, and it is designated as Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. Population: 5,501 (2009).

[Jiro Okamoto]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

北海道北部、日本海に浮かぶ島。利尻水道を隔てて北海道本島の西約20キロメートルに位置し、北西約10キロメートルの礼文水道(れぶんすいどう)を隔てて礼文島と相対する。全島が成層火山利尻山（1721メートル）からなり、南北19キロメートル、東西14キロメートルのほぼ円形の島。周囲約65キロメートル、面積182.18平方キロメートル。島名はアイヌ語のリシリ（高い島）に由来する。東半部は宗谷(そうや)総合振興局管内の利尻富士町、西半部は利尻町に属す。利尻山は利尻富士ともよばれる美しい円錐(えんすい)火山であるが、山頂部は著しく開析を受けている。山麓(さんろく)にいくつかの寄生火山があり、火山性扇状地を伴っている。集落はすべて海岸部に立地し、コンブ干し場が広がっている。集落を結んで島内を一周するバス道路が通じる。沓形(くつがた)岬、オタドマリ沼、姫沼などの景勝地があり、利尻礼文サロベツ国立公園に指定されている。人口5501（2009）。

［岡本次郎］

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