A volcanic peninsula in northeastern Hokkaido inscribed by UNESCO in 2005 for the marine and terrestrial ecosystem driven by sea ice that drifts down from the Sea of Okhotsk. The road into the peninsula ends at Shiretoko Five Lakes, where boardwalks circle five small lakes through brown bear habitat. Drift-ice cruises from Utoro run February through March; sightseeing cruises in summer get close to the cliffside Furepe and Oshinkoshin waterfalls. The peninsula has two gateway towns, Utoro on the western shore and Rausu on the east, connected by Shiretoko Pass, which closes for snow.
What Shiretoko is known for
Top-rated in Shiretoko
Mt. Rausu
4.7nature
Mt. Rausu (1,661 m) is the tallest mountain on the Shiretoko Peninsula and is part of the Shiretoko mountain range that runs along the spine of the peninsula.
Shiretoko National Park
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Untamed wilderness peninsula known for dense bear populations and winter drift ice.
Shiretoko Five Lakes (Goko)
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Five small lakes in a primeval forest at the entrance to Shiretoko National Park, circled by an elevated boardwalk and a separate ground walk.
Lake Rausu
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Pristine caldera lake in Shiretoko's wilderness where brown bears fish for salmon along shores accessible only by tour.
Kamuiwakka yunotaki Hot Falls
4.4onsen
Hot spring water from Mt. Iwo volcano mixing with river creating natural outdoor onsen waterfall experience.
Kuma-no-Yu
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A free wild onsen in Rausu, on the Shiretoko Peninsula's roadside route — one of Hokkaido's best-known unstaffed hot springs.
Furepe Falls
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Cliff waterfall pouring straight into the Sea of Okhotsk, reached by a 20-minute walk through grasslands from Shiretoko Nature Center.
Cape Puyuni
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Cliff viewpoint above Utoro with sunset views back across the harbor to Mt. Iozan and the Sea of Okhotsk.