Day Trips from SapporoKanro Spring on Rishiri Island: A 5-Minute Forest Walk to One of Japan's Best Waters
By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published 
Quick answers
- A spring listed among Japan’s 100 best waters; park at Rishiri Hokuroku Campground
- The campground is about 10 minutes by car from the Oshidomari ferry terminal, open May 15 to October 15
- A little over 5 minutes on a gentle paved path from the reception building, which has toilets
- There were insects in the water when I went, so for drinking I recommend Reiho Spring’s tap
Kanro Spring (Kanrosensui, also written Kanro Sensui) is spring water that comes out between rocks in the forest on the lower slopes of Mt. Rishiri, and it is listed among Japan's 100 best waters. You park at a campground about 10 minutes' drive from the Oshidomari ferry terminal and walk a little over five minutes along a forest path. I went one afternoon in late June 2026, and just listening to the water running over the rocks was relaxing.
How to get to Kanro Spring and where to park
The spring is near the third station of the Oshidomari trail up Mt. Rishiri. If you come by car, you park at the Rishiri Hokuroku Campground (Rishiri Hokuroku Yaeijo) at the start of that trail (Rishiri Plus, the island's tourism site, as of November 2026).
The campground is about 4 km and 10 minutes by car uphill from the Oshidomari ferry terminal, the port on the north side of the island. It is open from May 15 to October 15 (Rishirifuji Town camping information, as of November 2026).
Parking and toilets
When I went there were two parking lots with plenty of spaces, so I don't think finding a spot is a problem. Even from the farther lot, the campground's reception building is about a minute's walk, and it has clean toilets.
The walk from the campground to Kanro Spring
From around the reception building to the spring took me a little over five minutes on foot. The path was paved, easy to walk and only gently sloping, so I could take it slowly and enjoy the forest. It is a forest, so there were a fair number of insects.
In all, I spent 45 minutes there.
Can you drink the water at Kanro Spring?
It is a famous spring, but on the day I went there were insects in the water, so I decided not to drink it. Even so, just listening to the water running between the rocks was relaxing.
If you want to drink Mt. Rishiri's spring water, I recommend Reiho Spring (Reiho Yusui) instead. It comes out of a tap, so it is clean and I drank it without worrying. It is by the road from Otatomari Pond, in the south of the island, to Kutsugata, the town on the west side of the island, so bring an empty bottle when you drive that way.
Camping at Rishiri Hokuroku Campground
If you want to stay in the forest, the campground where you park has tent sites and cabins (Rishirifuji Town camping information, as of November 2026):
| Type | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Tent site | 600 yen per adult (high school age and up), 300 yen per child up to junior high school age, free for preschool children | Not needed |
| Auto site (car beside your tent) | 3,000 yen per car per night | Not stated |
| Cabin for four | 6,000 yen per cabin per night | Required |
During the season, bookings and questions go to the campground office on 0163-82-2394, 10:00 to 18:00. The town's page also lists no pets, no fireworks and no campfires.
FAQ about Kanro Spring
Q1. Can you drink the water at Kanro Spring?
It is one of Japan's 100 best waters, but when I went there were insects in the water and I didn't drink it. For drinking water, Reiho Spring by the road between Otatomari Pond and Kutsugata comes out of a tap.
Q2. Can you visit Kanro Spring in winter?
Not by car. Rishiri Hokuroku Campground, where you park, is closed in winter: Rishiri Plus gives the closure as October 17 to May 14 (Rishiri Plus, as of November 2026), and the town lists the open season as May 15 to October 15.
Q3. How long is the walk to Kanro Spring?
A little over five minutes each way from the campground's reception building, on a gentle paved path.
More on Rishiri Island
I went to Kanro Spring on the afternoon of my second day, after a sea urchin bowl at the ferry terminal, during a two-night drive around the island. Here is the whole route with times and costs.
Rishiri Island Itinerary: 2 or 3 Days Around Mt. Rishiri by Rental CarA Sapporo local's Rishiri Island itinerary by rental car, with real times: flights from Sapporo, picking up the car at the airport, Himenuma Pond, Cape Peshi, sea urchin season and prices, where to stay, costs, and a shorter 1-night version.