Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Witness the miraculous cycle of life nurtured by drift ice and ancient forests. In Shiretoko, your journey into the heart of wild nature begins.

Located in eastern Hokkaido, the Shiretoko Peninsula is defined by a chain of steep mountains rising over 1,000 meters. Here, a unique ecosystem thrives in a delicate, miraculous balance that connects the sea to the land and up into the peaks. Each winter, the sea is covered in white drift ice, which brings rich nutrients that nourish plankton. This bounty supports the growth of salmon, which later swim upstream to be eaten by brown bears and Blakiston’s fish owls, eventually returning vital nutrients to the forest soil. Registered as Japan’s third UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in July 2005, this land is a vast, sacred sanctuary where the circle of life remains eternal.

Step into the primeval forests, and the fresh, earthy scent of lush greenery fills the air, while the distant cry of Ezo sika deer occasionally breaks the deep silence. Shiretoko offers a wealth of immersive activities, from snowshoeing through the woods with an expert guide to the exhilarating "Drift Ice Walk," where you can feel the piercing chill of the Okhotsk Sea firsthand. Whether you are gazing at the mirror-like surface of the Shiretoko Five Lakes or feeling the powerful mist from the Oshinkoshin Falls, the vibrant pulse of nature will resonate through your entire being. Exploring the "Eight Views of Shiretoko" offers moments of profound awe that will make the bustle of daily life feel a world away.