Encounter the Amazing Natural World of Shiretoko

Sail along the Shiretoko Peninsula coast and discover the local wildlife

On the eastern coast of Hokkaido sits the stunningly scenic Shiretoko Peninsula, officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. It’s also a national park, home to countless varieties of animal life including bears, deer, eagles, orcas, and whales. The peninsula is both mountainous and volcanically active, which makes for spectacular views and plenty of waterfalls. There are even rare hot-water streams.

Cruise tours are an unobtrusive way to explore the local wildlife, keeping you safe from bears and other potentially dangerous critters. If you’re considering a tour in the untamed Shiretoko National Park, the Rusha Course tour takes only two hours with two departures a day. Highlights you can look forward to are a high rate of bear sightings, seals, and waterfalls. If you’re lucky, you may even spot dolphins, orcas, or whales. Winters are tough in Hokkaido, so the tour is available from the end of April to late October.

Access: From Tokyo Haneda Airport, fly to Memanbetsu Airport (about one hour 45 minutes), then take the Memambetsu Airport bus to Utoro Michi no Eki (Roadside Station; about two hours 15 minutes) and walk about 10 minutes to the tour office.

Shiretoko Peninsula Cruising (Gojiraiwa Kanko)