Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Located in eastern Hokkaido, Shiretoko features mountains over 1,000 meters high running through the center of the peninsula. It showcases the richness of life with endangered species such as Blakiston's fish owl and Shiretoko violet, as well as rare plants and animals including brown bears and Ezo deer on land, and Steller sea lions and seals in the sea. The drift ice that completely covers the Shiretoko sea in winter should not be forgotten either. The high-quality nutrients carried by the drift ice enrich the sea, nurturing salmon that swim upstream into rivers, where bears feed on them. The bears' waste and the remains of salmon return to the soil, enriching the forests of Shiretoko. In July 2005, Shiretoko was registered as Japan's third World Natural Heritage site, valued not only as a habitat for rare flora and fauna but also for its ecosystem connecting sea, land, and mountains.

In summer, you can enjoy hiking with a guide, wildlife exploration from the sea aboard sightseeing boats or kayaks, or join seasonal tour buses. In winter, you can go hiking with snowshoes accompanied by a guide, take an icebreaker cruise through the sea covered with drift ice, or walk on the drift ice fields. To fully enjoy Shiretoko's abundant nature, joining a local tour is recommended.

The "Eight Views of Shiretoko" - Oshinkosin Falls, Oronko Rock, Yuhidai (Sunset Observatory), Puyuni Cape, Furepe Falls, Shiretoko Pass, Shiretoko Five Lakes, and Kamuiwakka Hot Falls - are must-visit attractions in Shiretoko. Why not experience Shiretoko's magnificent nature through a local tour and then visit these eight representative scenic spots?