ITINERARY
Experience the Vitality Shaped by Shiretoko's Rich Natural Environment
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The Shiretoko Peninsula, home to Shiretoko National Park, lies between the Sea of Okhotsk to the west and the Nemuro Strait to the east, and is designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Its rugged terrain, rising sharply from waters over 2,000 meters deep to mountains of around 1,500 meters, offers spectacular scenery while playing a vital role in sustaining Shiretoko's rich ecosystems.
June sees snowmelt from the long winter combined with the sunlight of the summer solstice. It marks a season of abundance in Shiretoko, with flowers in bloom and wildlife at its most active. Experience Shiretoko at a time when the vitality of life fills the air.
Itinerary Highlights
- Learn about the natural environment and diverse ecosystems of Shiretoko, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
- Join a special tour to the elusive Ponhoro Swamp, which appears only seasonally.
- Experience Shiretoko with all five senses as the sun rises over its life-rich seas and fresh greenery frames its waterfall.
Discover the natural environment and biodiversity of Shiretoko
After arriving at Memanbetsu Airport, take a local bus to Utoro, the main base for sightseeing in Shiretoko. Enjoy a seafood lunch at a local restaurant, such as a salmon roe rice bowl, before visiting the Shiretoko World Heritage Conservation Center. Start by gaining an overview of Shiretoko's remarkable natural environment and Shiretoko National Park as a whole.
Then, visit the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center, where you can learn about the close relationship between people and Shiretoko's natural environment through exhibitions and short walks. After checking in to your hotel, take a stroll along the coast. Watching the sunset from spots such as Oronko Rock or the Yuhidai observation deck is also recommended.
Take a private tour to a phantom marsh that appears only seasonally in Shiretoko's forest
On the morning of day 2, take a private, customized tour limited to one group. This hike leads through Shiretoko's pristine wilderness toward the elusive Ponhoro Swamp, which appears only during a limited season. Along the way, you will encounter giant trees and signs of new life, offering a sense of Shiretoko's vitality. Enjoy a special hike to a place that can only be reached with a guide.
After lunch, visit the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center to learn about the region's ecosystems and volcanic activity. Later, travel by car to see geysers in the Rausu area and stroll through a hot spring park. Spend the night in Rausu.
Savor Shiretoko's Nature with All Five Senses Through Sunrise Views and Waterfall Exploration
Early in the morning, watch the sunrise from a scenic spot such as the Rausu Kunashiri Observation Tower. Start your day by admiring the dramatic seascape overlooking Kunashiri Island.
Next, go to the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center to deepen your understanding of measures that address brown bears native to the region. Then head to Kumagoe-no-taki Falls, one of Rausu's scenic highlights. Experience Shiretoko's rich natural environment surrounded by vibrant fresh greenery and the flowing water. After lunch, travel by car to Nakashibetsu Airport.