Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Shiretoko Pass, standing at 738 meters, is one of the "Eight Views of Shiretoko," offering a breathtaking panorama of Mt. Rausu and Kunashiri Island.

This pass sits at the highest point of the 27-kilometer winding Shiretoko Trans-Center Road (National Route 334), which connects Utoro in Shari-cho and Rausu-cho. Right before your eyes, the majestic peak of Mt. Rausu towers with imposing dignity, while a vast sea of deep green forest stretches endlessly below. A cool, crisp breeze often sweeps across the pass, carrying the refreshing scent of coniferous trees from the wilderness.

On clear days, you can catch a glimpse of the sparkling blue waters of the Nemuro Strait and the distant silhouette of Kunashiri Island. The vibrant layers of color—the rugged slopes of the mountain, the lush greenery, and the oceanic blue—perfectly illustrate the untamed beauty of Shiretoko’s World Heritage landscape.

Due to its harsh and rapidly changing climate, this road is known for having the shortest opening period of any national highway in Japan. While it is buried under deep snow and closed throughout the winter, this very seclusion preserves its pristine nature. When the gates finally open, visitors are rewarded with a rare and untouched wilderness that few places on earth can match.