[Shiretoko] World heritage site

The Shiretoko Peninsula, home of the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site, is about 200km north of Kushiro. The highest peak in the mountains of Shiretoko, Extending along the peninsula as it stretches from eastern Hokkaido into the Sea of Okhotsk, is Rausudake.

Shiretoko was registered as a World Natural Heritage Site on July 17, 2005. The reasons for its acceptance include the "high productivity of the marine and terrestrial component," "Biodiversity," and "Protection and Management." Including most of the furthest tip, the protected area of the Shiretoko Peninsula covers about 71,000 ha of land and sea.

In winter, drift ice brings comes in on the sea and brings nutrients to the area. Those nutrients feed smaller sea life, which then serve as food for larger animals like seals and seabirds, which gather at Shiretoko. Endangered species like Blakiston's fish owl, Steller's sea eagle and white-tailed eagles, as well as rare plants like Shiretoko Violets make their homes here. Migrating salmon enter the rivers here and support the local brown bears, as well...This magnificent food chain is Shiretoko's true treasure.
World Natural Heritage Site Shiretoko is a truly natural place..

How to get from Kushiro to Shiretoko
Train: Take JR Senmohonsen toward Abashiri from Kushiro Station to Shiretokoshari Station (about 2 hours 30 min. ride), and from there take the Shiretoko Line Shari Bus until you arrive at Utoro, in about 1 hour.
Bus: Take Akan Bus (Kushiro-Rausu Line) toward Rausu Eigyosho from Kushiro Station Bus Terminal. Get off at Rausu Honmachi (About 3 hours 27 minutes ride).
Rental Car-Cross-Shiretoko Road: From Kushiro take National Highways 272 and then 335 to Sharicho Utori via Rausu. It's about 120km. (Cross-Shiretoko Road is closed in winter)　　　　　　　
Shibetsucho to Sharicho Route: From Kushiro, take National Highway 272 through Shibetsucho, then 244 to Shari. Finally, take National Highway 334 to Utoro. It's about 220km.

◆Shiretoko National Park Nature Center Iwaubetsu 531, Onnebetsumura, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-2114　 http://center.shiretoko.or.jp/en/
◆Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Center Utoronishi 186-10, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-3255
◆Rausu Visitor's Center Yunosawa 6-27, Rausu, Tel: +81-153-87-2828

◆For information about Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site Sightseeing:
Shiretoko Shari Tourist Association Tel: +81-152-22-2125　http://www.shiretoko.asia/world/index.html
Shiretoko Rausu Tourist Association Tel: +81-153-87-3330

Go by sea to see the true spirit of Shiretoko! Watch brown bears from a sightseeing cruise

Shiretoko's ecosystem is built on the connection between land and sea, so the best way to experience is from a sightseeing boat on the sea. There are courses going around Shiretokomisaki out of Utoro port in Shari, and the big tour companies have boats leaving from Rausu port as well.

The smaller boats can get in close to shore, which is a real bonus. You can see sheer cliffs and rock formations invisible from land, and have a better chance to see brown bears catching salmon or rare bids like fish owls, guillemots, and more.

Going out on larger boats, however, you might encounter pods of dolphins, whales or orca leaping dramatically from the water! In winter, the icy waters host large mammals like sea lions and seals, and you are likely to see white tailed or Steller's sea eagles. (Boats leave from Rausu year round.)
The best way to experience the teeming wildlife of Shiretoko is by sea!


◆Shiretoko National Park Nature Center Iwaubetsu 531, Onnebetsumura, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-2114　 http://center.shiretoko.or.jp/en/
◆Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Center Utoronishi 186-10, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-3255
◆Rausu Visitor's Center Yunosawa 6-27, Rausu, Tel: +81-153-87-2828

◆For information about Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site Sightseeing:
Shiretoko Shari Tourist Association Tel: +81-152-22-2125　http://www.shiretoko.asia/world/index.html
Shiretoko Rausu Tourist Association Tel: +81-153-87-3330

Leave it to your Nature Guide! Experience the harsh beauty of this World Natural Heritage Site

The natural wonder of Shiretoko is wide, and deep. It's difficult to experience this unique natural environment on your own. For that, it's best to rely on a local guide. There are many different guides who can show you all the major spots, as well as hidden secrets of this true World Natural Heritage Site.

Land tours include popular scenery courses, as well as harder treks deeper into nature. Tree-climbing and mountain trekking are also popular. For a marine adventure, you can take a sea kayak on a wild course under waterfalls rushing over sheer cliffs. Other activities you must try include fishing and diving, and in winter you can walk the ice floes!

Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site is packed full of experiences you can't get anywhere else, so come give it a try!

◆Shiretoko National Park Nature Center Iwaubetsu 531, Onnebetsumura, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-2114　 http://center.shiretoko.or.jp/en/
◆Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Center Utoronishi 186-10, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-3255
◆Rausu Visitor's Center Yunosawa 6-27, Rausu, Tel: +81-153-87-2828

◆For information about Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site Sightseeing:
Shiretoko Shari Tourist Association Tel: +81-152-22-2125　http://www.shiretoko.asia/world/index.html
Shiretoko Rausu Tourist Association Tel: +81-153-87-3330

See the Eight Views of Shiretoko, rest in a hot spring, see a World Natural Heritage Site

For those preferring to take their time and drive, we highly recommend Shiretoko's prime scenery, the Eight Views of Shiretoko.
Among them, the Shiretoko Goko Lakes are true must-sees. Surrounded by native forest, the first lake offers a view of the Shiretoko Mountains from its suspended walkway (Closed in winter, but guided tours available).

Oronko Rock, a massive 60m crag near Utoro port, is climbable via 170 steep steps and offers a gorgeous ocean view from the top. Then there is Cape Puyuni, with a beautiful coastal railway view, and Yuhidai, the best place in Shiretoko to watch the sunset.

You can see Kamuy Wakka Yu no Taki, a pure hot spring river waterfall, Frepe Waterfall, which rushes over a precipitous cliff, and one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls, Oshinkoshin Fall. Also, if you take the Cross-Shiretoko Road connecting Shari with Rausu, you can see snow on Shiretoko Pass all the way to the end of July!

Since the Shiretoko Peninsula is on the Chishima Volcanic Zone, it's also full of hot springs. In addition to Utoro Onsen Town and Iwaobestu Onsen, there are many free outdoor hot spring baths on the Rausu side, perfect for a hot spring tour!


◆Shiretoko National Park Nature Center Iwaubetsu 531, Onnebetsumura, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-2114　 http://center.shiretoko.or.jp/en/
◆Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Center Utoronishi 186-10, Shari Tel: +81-152-24-3255
◆Rausu Visitor's Center Yunosawa 6-27, Rausu, Tel: +81-153-87-2828

◆For information about Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site Sightseeing:
Shiretoko Shari Tourist Association Tel: +81-152-22-2125　http://www.shiretoko.asia/world/index.html
Shiretoko Rausu Tourist Association Tel: +81-153-87-3330