Shiretoko National Park
Shiretoko National Park
4.5
About
Shiretoko, which originated from the Ainu word, “Shiri Etoku” which means “far corner of the earth” is exactly located at the northernmost tip of Japan (excluding the Northern Territories). Shiretoko National Park is characterized by the rugged grand landscape formed by volcanic activities and drift ice as well as abundant wildlife. In particular, large mammals such as brown bears and killer whales as well as a number of large endangered raptors inhabit the park. With them at the top of the hierarchy, a variety of wild animals strongly cohabit together. Such biodiversity and the link between ecosystems of the sea, river, and forest were highly valued, and Shiretoko was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in July 2005.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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みちか と びゅうリップ
Japan3,721 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
2023.06.20 (Tue) - 22 (Thu)
I headed to Shiretoko in a rental car from Memanbetsu Airport 😀
A brown bear, a resident of the Shiretoko Peninsula 🐻, was relaxing near the ground walking trail of the Shiretoko Five Lakes 😝 so I enjoyed just five of the Shiretoko Five Lakes and Furepe Falls 🏞️
However, I've only been able to get a small taste of Shiretoko National Park 💦
I haven't been to Kamuiwakka Hot Spring Falls, Shiretoko Pass, Cape Shiretoko, Rausu-dake on the Pacific side, Lake Rausu, Kumagoe Falls, etc. 🥺
That said, Furepe Falls and the Shiretoko Five Lakes are so large in scale that it takes a whole day just to explore them 🚶
So I thought it would be better to take it slow and steady instead of touring them all at once ✨
I'll definitely visit again soon 🎶
I headed to Shiretoko in a rental car from Memanbetsu Airport 😀
A brown bear, a resident of the Shiretoko Peninsula 🐻, was relaxing near the ground walking trail of the Shiretoko Five Lakes 😝 so I enjoyed just five of the Shiretoko Five Lakes and Furepe Falls 🏞️
However, I've only been able to get a small taste of Shiretoko National Park 💦
I haven't been to Kamuiwakka Hot Spring Falls, Shiretoko Pass, Cape Shiretoko, Rausu-dake on the Pacific side, Lake Rausu, Kumagoe Falls, etc. 🥺
That said, Furepe Falls and the Shiretoko Five Lakes are so large in scale that it takes a whole day just to explore them 🚶
So I thought it would be better to take it slow and steady instead of touring them all at once ✨
I'll definitely visit again soon 🎶
Written August 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jensen_chua
Singapore, Singapore3,606 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
If the UNESCO title of this park is any indication of it's magnificence, you will be well please to know it is a lovely park , indeed, But as in all things nature, it's take a nature lover to enjoy nature. Why so ? cause, in nature, it's the "every day" things that are beautiful - clouds, trees, insects, acorns, leaves,...etc. So if you like and appreciate nature, you will find the 2-3 hours you spend here well spent and memorable. For the city lovers, it's simple a walk in a rustic place..
Shiretoko mean "end of the earth" in local Ainu tribal language and it certainly feels that way as you near the edge of the huge park, where you can take in splendid view of the Okhotsk Sea or the Pacific Ocean, depending on which part of the park you are.
It would be good if you can get a local experienced guide to lead you and enter via the Utoro (north western side) or the Rasu (South Eastern side) or and explain various unique features and nice spots in the park.
That said, it is nice park, that can be better enjoyed especially in the cooler autumn and early winter months. During the onset of bear hibernation period, you will be hard pressed to spot bears...but you can expect to observe wild deers and foxes, roaming freely.
Noted features to look out for would be like Mt.Shire-dake and Rasu-dake...and the Furepe waterfalls etc. But as in nature, it's all around you...just enjoy the park. And expect lots of walking. So wear proper footwear and long pants .
Shiretoko mean "end of the earth" in local Ainu tribal language and it certainly feels that way as you near the edge of the huge park, where you can take in splendid view of the Okhotsk Sea or the Pacific Ocean, depending on which part of the park you are.
It would be good if you can get a local experienced guide to lead you and enter via the Utoro (north western side) or the Rasu (South Eastern side) or and explain various unique features and nice spots in the park.
That said, it is nice park, that can be better enjoyed especially in the cooler autumn and early winter months. During the onset of bear hibernation period, you will be hard pressed to spot bears...but you can expect to observe wild deers and foxes, roaming freely.
Noted features to look out for would be like Mt.Shire-dake and Rasu-dake...and the Furepe waterfalls etc. But as in nature, it's all around you...just enjoy the park. And expect lots of walking. So wear proper footwear and long pants .
Written December 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlitta Amanda E
11 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Last September, I went to Japan to visit my boyfriend. We went to places such as Kyoto, Hiroshima and many more. From all of the places that I we visited, I was really amazed with Hokkaido. We took flight from Haneda to Memanbetsu and took the bus to Shari. Once I arrived there, i was feeling so exciting. All I could see is an exquisite scenery. It was really a breathtaking view along the way. The next day we went to Shiretoko National Park which is located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido. It is the most beautiful park I have ever seen in my life! The nature, wild life and animals such as brown bear, fox and deer are blended in a perfect way. This is highly recommended place to visit!
Written November 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
regleo
Singapore, Singapore31 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
The scenery at the national park around the five lakes is absolutely beautiful. The walking tour is enhanced by our professional, friendly and humorous guide, Mr Kohki Suganuma (菅沼 宏基). Be prepared for pleasant surprises along the way with Mr Suganuma! The tour is certainly one of the main highlights of my trip.
Written July 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TuangWX
Johor Bahru, Malaysia121 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
totally in love with the natural wild life that are well preserved in shiretoko national park. A combination of cliff, snow mountain, lakes, hot springs, insects, birds, deers, bears, flowers and trees... my favorite place in hokkaido, even though it takes me 6 hours travel by train from sapporo, still worth going, highly recommended.
Written May 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dhhtravel
Hong Kong21 contributions
I drove nearly 2 hours to Shiretoko Peninsula from the nearest airport in eastern Hokkaido. It was another world inside the national park in Shiretoko with all wilderness.
The weather could be totally difference at the west side and east side of the peninsula at the same time. It could be over 20 degrees Celsius at the west side in May having sunny weather but it remained 5 degrees Celsius with dense foggy weather after passing Shiretoko Pass to east side.
The weather could be totally difference at the west side and east side of the peninsula at the same time. It could be over 20 degrees Celsius at the west side in May having sunny weather but it remained 5 degrees Celsius with dense foggy weather after passing Shiretoko Pass to east side.
Written November 23, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KopiMocha
Singapore, Singapore787 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
This UNESCO heritage site requires you to take either an hour trip (almost every 1-1.5 hours starting from 9am) or a 2 hour trip (2pm) or 3 hours trip (10am) to appreciate its beauty, especially the waterfalls and cliffs. You will see plenty of foxes and deer along the road. If wild bear is sighted, certain attractions will be closed. Need to spend a full day to explore the park, but not all attractions are worth the long drive. I was rather disappointed with Kamuiwakka Falls as it is not family friendly. You need to walk up on the hot waterfall itself and many tourists just gave up. But if you are adventurous I think you will enjoy the walk with your barefoot. Please note that the drive into Kamuiwakka Falls is gravel road and is an uncomfortable 30-45mins drive in.
Written September 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amyhata
Tokyo, Japan4 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
Superb scenery and great seafood. I went the end of season, mid October, still nice and almost warm, perfect for trekking. Many famous vacation spots in Japan get over crowded when you go in high season, so I recommend if you can go in the autumn to hokkaido. October is the best food season as well for fish and vegetables so you get the best of all.
Written October 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IZ_Zardai
Tokyo, Japan154 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We visited here with my fiance for a few days. Shiretoko is nature unharmed. Flowers, trees, animals all flourish here. A wonderful place, no matter your age, gender, interests. You will be able to connect with what the country must have looked like a 100-200 years ago. The mountain ranges against the sea are fascinating, you can spot bears and deer, and there is a lovely outdoor star gazing event. I can only recommend this place to everyone who is not addicted to large cities.
Written September 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy B
7 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
We arrived and to learn that the campsites were still closed. However due to some relaxed laws about camping in public areas we were able to find a site on the eastern coast that served as our base site for the next few days. We just brought our own water and treated camping like any other back country trip without the luxury of running water or such. We hiked along the eastern coast and caught amazing glimpses of ice drift (my first time to see this) as well as a Buddha statue about 6 or 8km into the eastern coast hike in a remote and hidden place that could only be properly reached during very low tide! We used the outdoor onsen in Rausu near the visitor center (which has an excellent video - the same is played at the Otoru visitor center as well). This onsen was free, it might have taken donations though so I believe we left a few hundred yen behind as the standard onsen fee is usally 400-800en depending where you are. We would later take the tour boat on the Otoru (west coast) side of Shiretoko in hope of finally spotting a brown bear, to no avail. However the sites were beautiful and the cliffs released beautiful blue waterfalls. It was a peaceful trip and don't forget to eat the local sea food.
Written May 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, how did you book your cruise? I try to find in internet, but everything is in Japanese...
Written July 1, 2018
You can try to book via the websites that are linked to the operators TripAdvisor profile.
There are bear cruises in Utoro and whale cruises in Rausu.
We tried to book personally upon arrival in Utoro, but there was a typhoon, so no tours took place.
Good luck to you!
Written August 24, 2018
Can you see the major sights of Shiretoko National Park without a car? We are planning to get there by train if possible
Written April 3, 2018
I’ve never been there before, but you may be able to get there by bus.
Written July 22, 2018
Any tips on how to book guided tours for Shiretoko National Park , Mt Rausu? English speaking pla. Thanks
Written June 29, 2017
Is it practical to set out from Utoro around 10am in July, enjoy the park and be back in Utoro in time to get the bus back to Shiretoko-Shari station and then the last train of the day (I think at 21:14) to go to Abashiri? Or am I just rushing it too much!
Is there a timetable for the bus between Shiretoko-Shari station and Utoro? Many thanks
Written December 20, 2015
Is Shiretoko NP so worthy in middle winter ?
Written December 3, 2015
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