ITINERARY
Get in touch with the intricate cycle of life in the midst of majestic nature.
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The Shiretoko Peninsula boasts one of the highest density brown bear populations in the world. Orcas and whales also appear in the surrounding sea. The nutrients carried by the drift ice along the coast in winter become food for plankton, which benefit salmon who then swim upstream in rivers. They in turn serve as food for creatures like brown bears and Blakiston’s fish owls, bringing the bounty of the sea to the mountains. This cycle nurtures the abundance of the forests, with the rivers returning it to the sea. This trip will let you experience Shiretoko’s unique life cycle for yourself.
Itinerary Highlights
- Learn about efforts to regenerate primary-growth forest
- Learn about Shiretoko’s cycle of life at Shiretoko Goko Lakes, where brown bears roam and salmon swim upstream
- Learn about the bounty of the sea off of Shiretoko while observing marine life like whales and dolphins
Gain a deeper understanding of Shiretoko’s forests with a night tour and initiatives to regenerate primary-growth forest
In the morning, taking a bus from Memanbetsu Airport, you arrive in Utoro in Shiretoko for lunch. Shiretoko has been undertaking an initiative since 1977 called the “Shiretoko 100-Square-Meter Movement,” with the aim of reviving its primary growth forest. In the afternoon, you take a guided forest walk around Furepe-no-Taki Falls with views of the falls and the sea. Along the way you learn about the difficulty of restoring native forests, as well as the effects of doing so.
After checking into the hotel, you join a night tour where you experience the deep darkness of nature, which is completely different than in town. This portion of the tour takes place by car, so you'll feel safe exploring the nature of Shiretoko by night.
Be inspired by Shiretoko’s life cycle and natural environment by observing salmon and hiking around the Shiretoko Five Lakes with its brown bears
In the morning, you wake up early and watch salmon swim upstream. While observing these powerful fish, you'll learn about their life cycle through the detailed commentary of your guide. After that, you board the Aurora, a Shiretoko tourist boat, and set out on the Rusha Bay route. It will give you a different view of the dynamic scenery of Shiretoko Peninsula than from land, including with views of cliffs that are 200 meters high. You may even observe brown bears and other wild life along the way.
After lunch, you join a guided tour of Shiretoko Goko Lakes. While the guide explains about keeping a safe distance from brown bears, you’ll get an understanding of how to live in harmony with wild animals. This will help you explore the five lakes and their forest with their many flora and fauna, experiencing the majesty of nature.
Watch whales, dolphins and other marine life up close on a Shiretoko cruise and tour
The ocean around the Shiretoko Peninsula is habitat for a wide range of fish thanks to the rugged topography of the seabed. In the morning, you join in the "Whale, Dolphin, and Bird Watching" cruise and tour. It offers the chance to observe sperm whales, orcas, dolphins, and more up close. Of course, your guide will provide detailed commentary on area’s ecology and details about its wildlife.
Finally, you visit the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center. After lunch, you go by car to Nakashibetsu Airport.