Shari travel guide and discussion

A must-see for nature lovers, "Shiretoko" is a pristine natural sanctuary in northeastern Hokkaido. Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2005, it is renowned for its majestic mountains, ancient primeval forests, vast seas, and diverse wildlife. Must-see highlights include the Shiretoko Five Lakes, where you can stroll among the lakes surrounded by lush forests and mountain peaks; the breathtaking Furepe Falls; and coastal sightseeing cruises that offer stunning views of rugged cliffs. Depending on the season, you might spot sika deer, brown bears, whales, and various marine life. In winter, you can even experience the unique adventure of walking on drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. 📍 Shiretoko, Hokkaido, Japan 🍃 Ideal for: Nature enthusiasts, hikers, photographers, and wildlife watchers 🚗 Pro-tip: Renting a car is highly recommended as public transportation in the area is limited. ✨ Best time to visit: May–Oct for lush greenery and autumn foliage / Winter for drift ice

If you're looking for a place to eat in Shiretoko, my top recommendation is the "Utoro Fisheries Cooperative Women's Association Cafeteria"! Because it's directly managed by the fisheries cooperative, you can enjoy fresh seafood bowls at reasonable prices✨ I ordered the three-kind bowl. It was generously topped with three kinds of ingredients: salmon, salmon roe, and salmon flakes! The salmon and salmon roe were truly melt-in-your-mouth delicious🤤 The salmon flakes were also generously portioned, without any artificial seasoning, and I was very satisfied. The portion size was ample, and considering the contents, I think it's excellent value for money! Looking around, I saw many people ordering the Atka mackerel set meal, which looked very delicious✨ Since we planned to go to the restaurant first thing in the morning, we went to Oronko Rock beforehand. It only takes a few minutes to climb to the top, and it's a spectacular spot where you can enjoy a 360-degree view. I started climbing Oronko Rock at 8:00, and by 8:30, I was in line at the restaurant, and this was about the length of the queue. Popular menu items sometimes sell out, so we recommend enjoying the scenery at Oronko Rock first thing in the morning and then joining the queue! 😊 📍 Utoro Fisheries Cooperative Women's Association Cafeteria 📍 Address: 117 Utoro Higashi, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 🕗 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM (Last order 2:30 PM, Closed Thursdays, Open late April to late October) 💰 Three-Kind Seafood Bowl: Approximately 2,300 yen (Prices may change) #HokkaidoTravel #Shiretoko #ShiretokoTourism #ShiretokoGourmet #Utoro #UtoroFisheriesCooperativeWomensAssociationCafeteria #SeafoodBowl #HokkaidoGourmet #JapanTravel

Mount Rausu, the highest peak on Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula, boasts an elevation of 1,661 meters and is recognized as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. Known as the iconic mountain of the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage site, it is surrounded by abundant nature, including primeval forests, alpine plants, brown bears, and Ezo sika deer. From the summit, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Sea of Okhotsk and Kunashiri Island, and on a clear day, take in the breathtaking panorama of the Shiretoko mountain range. While not recommended for beginners, it is a highly popular hiking spot where you can fully immerse yourself in some of Hokkaido's most pristine wilderness.

If you've already explored Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, or simply want to see a different side of Japan—save this list. Japan is more than just the crowded streets of Shibuya and thousands of tourists at Fushimi Inari Shrine. The country still holds incredible spots where you can experience the authentic Japanese atmosphere without the crowds. Here are 10 places you should definitely add to your itinerary. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 1. Ainokura Village 📍 Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture 📍 Address: Ainokura, Nanto, Toyama Prefecture A small, traditional village with gassho-zukuri style houses surrounded by mountains. It's much quieter here than in the famous Shirakawa-go. Best time to visit: winter and autumn. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 2. Kiyotsu Gorge 📍 Niigata Prefecture 📍 Address: 2119-2 Koide, Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture One of Japan's most beautiful gorges, featuring a unique tunnel and a mirrored observation deck. The perfect spot for incredible photos. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 3. Noto Peninsula 📍 Ishikawa Prefecture 📍 Address: Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture A scenic coastline, fishing villages, seaside rice terraces, and authentic rural Japan. It's best to rent a car and spend at least 2–3 days exploring the area. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 4. Sado Island 📍 Niigata Prefecture 📍 Address: Sado City, Niigata Prefecture An island where you can see traditional wooden tarai-bune tub boats, old gold mines, and stunning seascapes. You can get there by ferry from Niigata City. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 5. Takachiho Gorge 📍 Miyazaki Prefecture 📍 Address: Mukoyama, Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture One of Japan's most spectacular natural wonders. Here, you can rent a boat and row right past waterfalls nestled among towering basalt cliffs. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 6. Kakunodate Samurai District 📍 Semboku City, Akita Prefecture 📍 Address: Kakunodate-machi, Semboku, Akita Prefecture An authentic samurai town with beautifully preserved historic manors. It's especially breathtaking in spring during the cherry blossom season. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 7. Yamadera Temple Complex 📍 Yamagata Prefecture 📍 Address: 4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City To reach the temple, you'll need to climb around 1,000 stone steps. Your reward will be a stunning view of the mountains and valleys below. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 8. Iya Valley 📍 Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku Island 📍 Address: Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture One of the most remote and picturesque regions in Japan. Its main attractions are the ancient vine suspension bridges and secluded mountain villages. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 9. Shiretoko National Park 📍 Hokkaido Island 📍 Address: Shari, Hokkaido A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can spot brown bears, waterfalls, lakes, and untouched wilderness with almost no signs of civilization. Best time to visit: June–September. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 10. Onomichi City 📍 Hiroshima Prefecture 📍 Address: Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture An atmospheric port city with narrow winding streets, hilltop temples, and sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea. This is exactly where the famous Shimanami Kaido cycling route begins. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ✨ If you want to experience Japan without the tourist crowds, venture beyond the typical Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route.

Visited in June 2025 ✔️A stunning location offering panoramic views of the Sea of Okhotsk ✔️An all-inclusive service offering unlimited drinks and sweets ✔️A sauna and open-air bath where you can relax while gazing at the ocean ✔️A buffet featuring the finest local ingredients from Hokkaido ✔️Conveniently located in the Utoro area for sightseeing (just a 20-minute drive to the Shiretoko Goko Lakes) Highly recommended for those who want to make the most of both their Shiretoko sightseeing and their hotel stay. The buffet offered a fantastic variety, and the live kitchen where chefs prepare dishes right in front of you was absolutely amazing🍽️ I'd love to visit in the winter next time to see the drift ice❄️ ⚠︎Please note that the adjacent "PETER BEIER SHIRETOKO" was rebranded as "Cafe Shiretoko Roastery" on October 5, 2025. 📍Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort Address: 172 Utorohigashi, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido

[Shiretoko] Hokkaido's Most Adventurous Hot Spring Waterfall ♨️ My Top Recommendation in Hokkaido!! I absolutely recommend this place! ✨ What exceeded my expectations in Shiretoko was the Kamuiwakka Hot Spring Waterfall. This isn't just an ordinary waterfall; it's a place where you actually walk up a river where hot spring water flows ♨️ The lower part is lukewarm, and the higher you go, the warmer the hot spring water becomes!! Your feet are in the water. You proceed while crossing small waterfalls, making it a truly adventurous and secluded experience, even within Hokkaido. It's not just about looking; the experience of walking up through the hot spring water is truly special. There are several pools at the base of the waterfall, where you can actually soak in the hot spring water ♨️ Honestly, I think this is a Hokkaido experience I can brag about to others ✨ Even as a 52-year-old woman, I thoroughly enjoyed it!! The spring water is highly acidic, and some people may feel a slight tingling sensation. Be careful if you have any cuts or if it gets in your eyes. If you have sensitive skin, it's best not to push yourself and bring fresh water and a towel so you can rinse off after the experience. It's also safer to avoid getting accessories and smartphones wet with hot water. Apparently, in the past, you could go further in freely, but due to the effects of rockfalls and other factors, the accessible area and scenery have changed. Now, it's a reservation-only style where you can enjoy a safety-controlled area. Because it's a place in nature, it's uncertain how long the same scenery will remain. That's why I think it's a place you should visit while you can! ✨ There are lifeguards on site, and helmets are available for rent. Water shoes are also available for rent. Since you'll be walking in the river, clothing that can get wet and non-slip shoes are essential. 📍Estimated Time Required ✔️ Approximately 30-40 minutes by car from Michi-no-Eki Utoro-Shiretoko ✔️ The waterfall climbing experience takes about 60-90 minutes round trip ✔️ Allow 3-4 hours including travel and preparation for peace of mind 📍Access Renting a car is generally recommended. Kamuiwakka is located quite deep in Shiretoko, making it a good destination for a car trip where you can move around freely. However, there are restrictions on private cars depending on the season, and there are periods when shuttle buses are required. Some years, bus-inclusive reservations are available, so you can go even without a car. If you are unsure about driving or plan to go during a period of private car restrictions, it is recommended to check official information before making a reservation. ✔️ Reservations required ✔️ Limited season availability ✔️ Helmet rental available ✔️ Water shoe rental available ✔️ Clothing that can get wet is a must ✔️ Non-slip shoes are recommended ✔️ Fresh water and a towel are helpful ✔️ Be careful not to get accessories or your smartphone wet ✔️ Shuttle bus service may be available depending on the season Hot springs, waterfalls, stream climbing, and a sense of being in a secluded area. It's rare to find a place where you can experience all of these together. If you're going to Shiretoko, we also recommend combining it with a boat tour to see dolphins and orcas, or a visit to the Shiretoko Five Lakes! You can enjoy the sea, mountains, and waterfalls, and experience the essence of Shiretoko all at once! ✨ For those who want a Hokkaido trip that's not just about looking at scenery, and a "Hokkaido trip where you experience things yourself," this place is highly recommended. Even if you can't go this year, be sure to save this as a potential Shiretoko travel destination! ☺️ 📍Kamuiwakka Hot Falls Shiretoko, Hokkaido / Shari Town Kamuiwakka Hot Falls Shiretoko, Hokkaido, Japan *Please be sure to check the latest official information before you go, as the operating period, fees, access methods, and shuttle bus schedules change depending on the year. #KamuiwakkaHotFalls #ShiretokoTravel #HokkaidoTravel #HokkaidoTourism #Hokkaido #Shiretoko #ShariTown #HiddenGem #HokkaidoActivities #HotSprings #Tourism #StreamClimbing #ShiretokoTourism #Shiretoko #HokkaidoTravel #JapanTravel #hokkaido

JR is the preferred way to travel in Japan, except in Hokkaido. In the vast and sparsely populated north, with JR lines being discontinued year after year, the beauty of the land has been returned to the wilderness. If riding the JR only shows you the refined Japanese side of Hokkaido, then a road trip will unlock the distant, lonely northern wilderness. 🚗 Summer is coming soon As the heavy snow melts and trails become easier to walk, everything green in Hokkaido’s brief summer rushes to grow. It’s the perfect time for a northern road trip! ① Shiretoko Utoro + Rausu All the mystery and beauty of Hokkaido are connected to "Shiretoko." This is the land’s end, with continuous coastline and distant mountain shadows, appearing even greener in summer. As the area with the highest density of bear sightings in the world (bar none), hiking in Shiretoko is always full of the unknown: you want to see bears but also fear they might really come... If you find the Five Lakes too crowded, the other side of the peninsula, Rausu, offers quieter wilderness and more expansive coastline. ② Shibetsu Notsuke Peninsula Notsuke Peninsula is a sandbar stretching deep into the sea, shaped like a slender hook. Far from towns, its vast desolate landscape has become a paradise for wildlife. The 3 km round-trip trail starting from the Nature Center offers encounters with seagulls, foxes, and mysterious Ezo deer herds, which lightly step in arcs on the water as you look back. ③ Akkeshi Bekanbeushi Wetlands This is a river untouched by human intervention, with water flowing wildly. From the air, the water system spreads like wild grass, leaving patchy lakes scattered like the aftermath of a party. Next to the wetlands is the "Akkeshi Waterfowl Observation Center," a base for scientists studying wetland ecology and the starting point for canoeing. Departing from the shore, drifting downstream while observing aquatic plants, migratory birds, and animals is truly refreshing. ④ Lake Kussharo Mount Mokoto Compared to the more famous Cape Mihoro, Mount Mokoto offers a better vantage point overlooking Lake Kussharo. Hiking up, you can see the lake’s deep blue water and the vast eastern Hokkaido landscape slowly unfolding before your eyes. It takes only an hour to reach the summit from the "Koshimizu 725" parking lot, with an easy ridge climb. Many locals also come here for weekend outings. ⑤ Koshimizu Sakura Falls No paved roads and very hard to find. But in the last weeks of summer, it becomes lively: it’s salmon migration season. Standing on the shore, staring at the shallow stream, every few dozen seconds a salmon leaps out of the water and flies right onto the waterfall. But don’t get too absorbed—besides humans, bears in the forest might also be standing nearby, ready for a meal. 🅿️ Roadside rest areas are scattered everywhere, offering various local specialties: sea salt ice cream from Abashiri, salmon from Rausu, oysters from Akkeshi... The beauty of Hokkaido is hidden in these corners.

[A Hokkaido Resident's Recommendation: Must-See Scenic Spots in Eastern Hokkaido] Hokkaido isn't just Sapporo, Otaru, and Hakodate. After driving for hours, you'll find countless landscapes that will make you think, "Is this really Japan...?" ✔︎ Onneto Lake ✔︎ Kaminoko Pond ✔︎ Lake Mashu ✔︎ Road to Heaven ✔︎ Sakura Falls (Cherry Salmon Migration) ✔︎ Wild Deer ✔︎ Shiretoko Sunset ✔︎ Kamuiwakka Hot Spring Falls Eastern Hokkaido offers breathtaking scenery on sunny days, but even foggy or rainy days are mystical. Lake Mashu, especially with its mist-filled surface, is a fantastic and unforgettable sight. And in the Shiretoko area, herds of wild deer appearing regularly is a truly Hokkaido-like scene 🦌 If you're planning a trip, the hot days of July and August, when you can see the cherry salmon migration, are highly recommended! Cherry salmon are active and you can see lots of them! 🐟 On a Shiretoko cruise, you might even encounter orcas and dolphins! 🐋 (May to September) If you want to enjoy Eastern Hokkaido at a leisurely pace, 3-4 nights or 4-5 nights is enough time to fully experience it! ✨ 【Recommended Route Example 🚗】 Memanbetsu Airport ↓ Lake Mashu/Kaminoko Pond ↓ Sakura Falls (Cherry Salmon Migration) ↓ Shiretoko/Utoro ↓ Kamuiwakka Hot Spring Falls ↓ Shiretoko Cruise ↓ Lake Kussharo/Sunayu (Sand Hot Springs) The travel time is long, but even along the way, you'll be able to feel the scale of Hokkaido! ☺️ Please save this and use it as a reference for your future Hokkaido trip! ✨ #HokkaidoTravel #EasternHokkaidoTravel #Shiretoko #KaminokoPond #LakeMashu #Onneto #RoadToHeaven #ScenicSpots #DomesticTravel #HokkaidoDrive #ShiretokoTourism #LakeKussharo #Sunayu #Japan'sBeautifulScenery #TravelLover

🌿 Hokkaido's summer is vibrant and refreshing, offering a stark contrast to its winter charm. From mountains, lakes, flowers, to charming old towns, this journey is filled with unforgettable impressions.✨🌿 🏞️ Cape Kamui – A breathtaking cape extending into the Sea of Japan. The deep blue sea contrasts with towering cliffs, and the narrow trail along the ridge feels like walking to the edge of the world. 🌲 Shiretoko National Park – A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Home to brown bears, waterfalls, and hidden lakes amidst lush forests, perfect for adventure and nature lovers. ⛰️ Daisetsuzan National Park – Japan's largest national park. It offers numerous hiking trails and natural hot springs. Summer is the time when mountain flowers bloom, creating picturesque scenery like a painting. 🌻 Hokuryu Sunflower Village – Over 1.5 million sunflowers bloom in summer, forming a bright yellow sea. Ideal for photography and leisurely strolls in a warm atmosphere. 🌸 Shikisai no Oka – A colorful flower hill resembling a natural carpet. Lavender, sunflowers, and seasonal flowers create a stunning view, earning it the nickname "The Heaven Hill of Biei." 💧 Shirogane Blue Pond – Aoiike Blue Pond A pond with crystal-clear blue water formed by natural minerals, reflecting trees and the sky beautifully. It's a popular photography spot for tourists. 🏘️ Hachiman-zaka Slope – A slope offering a view of Hakodate's harbor and the vast sea. Especially romantic during sunset. 🚤 Otaru Canal – A historic canal lined with red-brick warehouses and retro-style restaurants. Summer boat rides along the canal are a must-do activity. 🌊 Lake Toya – A volcanic lake with a small island in the center. Its clear waters reflect the surrounding mountains, and there are onsen facilities for relaxation after exploring nature.

📍Trip Overview Head to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, Shiretoko! Enjoy untouched nature and breathtaking scenery on this 3-day, 2-night refreshing journey. Featuring hot springs, wildlife, and scenic drives, this is the ultimate travel route. ⸻ 🚩Route Day 1: Memanbetsu Airport → Abashiri → Shiretoko Utoro Onsen Day 2: Shiretoko Five Lakes → Kamuiwakka Hot Falls → Oronko Rock Sunset Day 3: Cruise → Shari → Memanbetsu Airport ⸻ 🏖️Scenic Spots · Shiretoko Five Lakes: Stunning views of pristine forests reflected on mirror-like lakes · Oronko Rock Sunset: The sea turns golden, offering an unbeatable view · Kamuiwakka Hot Falls: A natural "hot spring waterfall" that's fun to photograph and explore ⸻ 🚇Transportation · Tokyo/Osaka → Memanbetsu Airport is the fastest route · A rental car is essential from the airport. Driving is very easy · In winter, roads may freeze, so 4WD and snow tires are a must ⸻ 📷Recommended Photo Spots · Elevated boardwalk at Shiretoko Five Lakes: Perfect balance of mountains, lakes, and sky · Furepe Falls Trail: High chance of encountering deer · Shiretoko Nature Cruise: Opportunities to spot brown bears and orcas ⸻ 🍜Must-Try Local Cuisine · Utoro Fishermen's Wives' Canteen: Exceptionally fresh seafood bowls · Shiretoko Shokudo: Don't miss the salmon and hokke (atka mackerel) · Izakaya Namishibuki: A luxurious combo of ramen and seafood ⸻ 🏠Recommended Accommodations · Kitakobushi Shiretoko: Ocean-view hot springs with stunning scenery · Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel: Extravagant dining options · KIKI Shiretoko: Stylish and perfect for girls' trips ⸻ 💡Tips · Follow the rules on trails as there are many brown bears · Some areas have weak signal, so download maps in advance · In summer, wear long sleeves and use insect repellent due to bugs · In winter, weather can change suddenly, so plan for early activities

► Eastern Hokkaido ▪ Eastern Hokkaido 1 (Lake District + Hot Springs): Biei - Asahikawa - Shari - Shiretoko Five Lakes - Shiretoko Nature Center - Shiretoko Onsen Ryokan ▪ Eastern Hokkaido 2 (Self-driving + Hot Springs): Shiretoko Onsen Ryokan - Shiretoko Pass - Shiretoko Rausu - Kaiyodai - Kamino-ko Pond - Lake Mashu - Tōro - Akan Lake Onsen Ryokan (Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga) ► Shiretoko Peninsula Recommended route: Shiretoko Five Lakes - Shiretoko Nature Center - Shiretoko Prince Hotel Kazanamiki ► Eastern Hokkaido Self-driving or JR Bus Shiretoko Pass - Rausu Town - Kaiyodai - Kamino-ko Pond - Lake Mashu - Tōro - Akan Lake - Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga ► Tour duration: 3-4 days ► Transportation: JR train and bus; routes can be checked on the official website

✨ Highlights of the Trip Dazzling Autumn Colors and Natural Wonders: October marks the beginning of Japan's autumn foliage season, especially in Hokkaido and the northern mountainous regions. You can take a cable car ride in Sounkyo Gorge to enjoy a panoramic view of the vibrant red, yellow, and orange hues, or admire the blend of crystal-clear waters and autumn leaves at Lake Shikotsu. Seasonal Delicacies and Hot Spring Relaxation: As the autumn chill sets in, immerse yourself in the soothing hot springs of Jozankei while enjoying the scenic beauty around you. Itinerary: Sapporo (2-3 days): Start and end your journey in Sapporo. Visit Nakajima Park to enjoy the city's autumn foliage and ginkgo trees, and capture the iconic red-brick Hokkaido Government Office with its golden ginkgo avenue. Dedicate a day to Jozankei Onsen or Hoheikyo Gorge, popular nearby spots for leaf-peeping and hot spring bathing. Sounkyo Gorge (1-2 days): Travel from Sapporo to Asahikawa, then take a bus to Sounkyo Gorge. This area is among the first in Hokkaido to be adorned with autumn colors. Ride the Kurodake Ropeway for a breathtaking aerial view of the gorge's autumn scenery. Eastern Hokkaido (Akan Lake/Shiretoko, 2 days) (Optional): If time permits, fly to Kushiro to explore the scenic beauty of Lake Akan and learn about Ainu culture, or head to Shiretoko Five Lakes for a hike through pristine forests adorned with autumn leaves (beware of bears). Hakodate (1-2 days): Visit Goryokaku Park and climb the tower for a bird's-eye view of the star-shaped fort amidst autumn colors. From late October to early November, participate in the Hakodate MOMI-G Festival (Autumn Leaves Festival) at Kosetsuen, where you can enjoy illuminated night foliage. Culinary Experiences: Savor seasonal delights such as seafood at Sapporo's Autumn Food Festival, Genghis Khan grilled lamb, fresh seafood at Hakodate Morning Market, and kaiseki meals at hot spring inns. Don't miss October's seasonal ingredients like matsutake mushrooms and salmon. 💎 Summary With its pleasant weather and diverse activities, Japan in October offers a rich travel experience. Whether you're chasing early autumn foliage, enjoying unique cultural festivals, or indulging in seasonal delicacies, this trip promises unforgettable memories. We hope this guide helps you plan a memorable autumn journey in Japan.

The Shiretoko Peninsula is Japan's wildest and most pristine natural secret place, where a large number of wild brown bears live. If you want to have a 100% chance of seeing a brown bear during your trip, be sure to read this guide! ❓Why choose to go to Shiretoko in Hokkaido to see bears? · The largest number of brown bears: Shiretoko Peninsula has one of the highest densities of brown bears in Japan The probability of seeing bears is highest in May: from May to June every year, brown bears that have just finished hibernation will come to the coast to look for food, and the appearance rate is extremely high! This is the only place in Japan where you can see wild brown bears directly on the coastline! · Safe bear-watching methods: You can choose to take a boat or hike to ensure close observation without disturbing wild animals. 📅 Best time to watch bears 🔹 May - June (bears are most likely to be spotted) 🐻✔ · Hibernation ends and brown bears begin to forage along the coast, becoming the most active! · A mother bear with her cubs, you can see the cubs learning survival skills! · Rusha Bay is the best place to watch bears in May, and you can observe them up close from the boat! 🔹 July - August (reduced activity) 🌲🐾 · During the breeding season, some brown bears will hide in the forest, and the number of bears on the coast will decrease. · Still visible, but requires more patient observation. 🔹 September - October (second peak) 🐟🍂 · As salmon migrate, brown bears gather at river mouths to hunt. · Good hiking trails, but you can't see bears directly on the coast like in May. Where to see bears? 🚢 Take a boat out to sea to see bears (Rusha Bay - ルシャ湾) Highly recommended! May is the month with the most bears, and the success rate is basically 99% · Observe at close range without disturbing the natural life of brown bears Suitable for all tourists. No need to hike or go deep into the jungle. You can watch brown bears hunting on the coast up close on the bear watching boat. Operation period: April 28 to October 20 Boat trip: 2 hours Departure time: 10:00 14:30 (minimum number of people: 7 or more) Fee: Adults 8,000 yen Elementary school students: 4,000 yen Rent a telescope for 300 yen to see more clearly Reservation: It is recommended to book 2 weeks in advance, especially in the peak season in May! 🌲🐾 Bear watching hiking adventure (Shiretoko Five Lakes & Native Forest) Suitable for travelers who like adventure & hiking From May to June and September to October, you can see traces of brown bears in the Shiretoko Five Lakes, Cape Shiretoko, and the Shiretoko Mountains Forest. · A professional guide is required to lead the way to ensure safety Hiking course - Shiretoko Five Lakes (a route where you can see brown bears) · Fee: 7,700 yen (3 to 75 years old) The fee includes the admission fee to Shiretoko Five Lakes, insurance, and Chinese tour guide fee (self-driving passengers must pay an additional 500 yen parking fee on the day) · Number of people: Each group is limited to 8 people at most (the number of people is limited to 10 people during 5/10~7/31) Duration: 3 hours 3 km Departure time: 8:30~9:30 13:00~14:00 · Trip start time: Brown bear activity period (5/10~7/31) · Entrance times and numbers are strictly controlled during this season, so please make reservations as early as possible. During the brown bear activity period, visitors must be accompanied by a certified guide to enter the park. 🚗Sapporo → Shiretoko (ウトロ) Self-driving: about 5~6 hours (recommended!) · Plane: New Chitose Airport ✈ Memanbetsu Airport (1.5 hours) → Rent a car or bus to Shiretoko (2 hours) · Bus: Sapporo → Shiretoko (Night bus, about 7 hours) 📌 Travel Tips & Booking Advice ✔ Make reservations for the bear-watching boat 2 weeks in advance, as tickets are hard to come by during the peak season in May! ✔ The temperature is relatively cold from May to June, so you need to wear windproof clothing to avoid catching a cold. ✔ Sunrise and dusk are the times when bears are most active, so it is recommended to choose a morning or evening flight! 🌟 Summary: How to 100% guarantee seeing brown bears? Best time: May-June (bears are most abundant) Best way: Take a boat to Rusha Bay, 99% success rate! Best location: Shiretoko Peninsula (depart from Utoro Port) 🚨 Safety Tips · Don't go into the forest alone! ・Bring a bear bell or bear spray. Keep your distance when you see brown bears and don’t disturb them! If you want an unforgettable wild adventure, Shiretoko will definitely give you the most shocking brown bear encounter! 🐻✨

Abashiri Travel Experience ❄️🚗 🗓️ Day 1 In the morning, I arrived at Memanbetsu Airport from Haneda Airport on flight JL565. After picking up the rental car, I headed to Oshinkoshin Falls. The frozen waterfall, covered in heavy winter snow, was truly spectacular, showcasing the power of nature❄️✨. Next, I visited Kitahama Station. This station is famous as a filming location for the Chinese movie 'If You Are the One,' and inside the station building, there were many notebooks left by tourists from China✍️. The view of the train and the Sea of Okhotsk from the station was truly impressive🚞🌊. I stayed at Abashiri Koso. The dinner was delicious, and the room was spacious and comfortable. There was also a live performance by musicians in the evening, making it a wonderful night🎶. 🗓️ Day 2 I woke up naturally after a good night's sleep🌅. The first place I visited was the Abashiri Prison Museum. The history and exhibits were very interesting and worth visiting⛓️🏚️. Next, I went to the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, but to be honest, it was a bit disappointing😅. Finally, I drove around the town of Abashiri, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the small town🚗💨. In the evening, I returned to Haneda Airport on flight JL566.🛬 It was a short trip, but I fully enjoyed the winter nature and history of Abashiri!✨

Eastern Hokkaido is the essence of Hokkaido tourism. The roads are bad and public transportation is inconvenient in winter, but this means that the beautiful scenery is preserved due to the lack of tourists. It gets dark in Hokkaido at around 4 pm, so keep this in mind when planning your itinerary. I like natural scenery and cultural attractions, so if you're tired of the classic routes, don't miss the advanced routes in Hokkaido from February to March. Hoshino Resorts: Hoshino TOMAMU Resort is the largest ski resort in Hokkaido. The powder snow is picturesque, and the 20+ ski runs will satisfy your skiing dreams. There are also exciting snow activities to enjoy the charm of ice and snow. Shiretoko Hiking: Walk on the Shiretoko Peninsula and admire the magnificent drift ice. The Shiretoko Five Lakes or drift ice walks are both fascinating. Cross the snow to find traces of animals, and you may encounter foxes or deer, leaving unforgettable memories of nature. Abashiri Icebreaker: Don't miss the winter-only Abashiri icebreaker tour. Feel the shock of nature in the icy sea, and you may encounter manatees, seals, and more, adding a mysterious touch to your journey. Sapporo White Illumination: From November 22, 2024 to March 14, 2025, the Sapporo White Illumination Festival will be held at the same time as the German Christmas Market. The light show and food will bring a festive atmosphere and surprises. Lake Akan Winter Carnival: From early February to early March, the Lake Akan Ice Park offers ice fishing, ice skating, snowmobiles, and more. It's lively and fun. Itinerary Recommendations: · Day 1: New Chitose Airport - Tanukikoji Shopping Street - Sapporo White Illumination. · Day 2: Biei Popular Tree Tour - Asahiyama Zoo - Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (January 25 to March 9) - Sounkyo Onsen. · Day 3: Kitami Fox Village - Abashiri Icebreaker - Abashiri Prison Museum. · Day 4: Shiretoko Hiking (various routes available). · Day 5: Bihoro Pass - Lake Kussharo - Lake Mashu - Lake Akan Winter Carnival (early February to early March). · Day 6: Akanko Ainu Kotan - Hoshino Resorts - Ice Platform - Ice Village.

The Shiretoko Peninsula is where I was most impressed by the snowy scenery and drift ice scenery. The drift ice of Rausu, Oshinkoshin Falls, the sunset from the Shiretoko Campground, and the view from the bus. It was a treasure trove of spectacular views. It's inconvenient to access, but it's worth going. I hope you'll try to see the drift ice, although it depends on the timing. The natural beauty of the Shiretoko Peninsula is truly recommended. ✱----------------------------------------------- [Name] Shiretoko Peninsula [Access] About 1 hour 50 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport, 1 hour 40 minutes by car from Nakashibetsu Airport, about 6 hours 30 minutes by car from Chitose East IC. -----------------------------------------------✱ #Snowscape2024 #100TravelStyles #DomesticTravel #Tourism #Hokkaido #Shiretoko #ShiretokoPeninsula #Utoro #SecretRegion #SpectacularView #Snowscape #WinterTravel

#自车游 #100 ways to travel Hokkaido is vast and sparsely populated, especially in the Dodong area, but it has excellent natural landforms. If you want to visit #HokkaidoDodong, the best way is #self-driving tour. In fact, driving in Hokkaido is very comfortable. There are few people and cars, the roads are easy to walk, and the Japanese are very disciplined, so just drive slowly. This 7-day and 6-night self-driving tour to the east of Hokkaido, the itinerary is as follows: New Chitose Airport-Obihiro-Kushiro-Shiretoko-Abashiri-Sapporo ✓Transportation strategy: I drove the whole trip by myself. Because there were 5 adults and a lot of luggage, I rented a 7-seater 2000cc SUV Serena, which cost about NT$4,000 per day. Because of the long distance between Daodong and Daodong, if you take the train, you can only schedule 1-2 scenic spots every day. It is more flexible to drive and you can stop when you see good scenery on the way. ✓Must-visit attractions: #道东三湖 are respectively #Akan湖 #Mashu Lake #Kussharo Lake. This time I only went to the first two and stayed at the Akan Lake Hot Spring Hotel for one night. Lake Akan is famous for its aboriginal culture and green algae, as well as hot springs to soak in and shopping streets to visit; Lake Mashu is a crater lake, the most transparent lake in Japan, with a blue color, and the mouth of the lake is surrounded by cliffs. Can see from a distance. #Shiretoko Mountains #Shiretoko Five Lakes The most famous scenic spot on the Shiretoko Peninsula is one of the eight scenic spots in Shiretoko. It is early spring when you visit, and the snow on the top of the mountain has not yet melted, making it a beautiful place to take pictures. The Shiretoko Five Lakes is a famous hiking route, and next to it is the Jawhotsk Sea, which is the habitat of wild black bears. You must be very careful when hiking. #Abashiri Drift Ice Museum In fact, the most famous experience in Abashiri is to take a ride on the ice bed to watch the drift ice. Unfortunately, the season is wrong, so we can only visit the Drift Ice Museum to get addicted and experience the feeling of freezing below zero. There is also an attraction nearby, #Abashiri Prison, which has been turned into a museum. #东amokoto Shibazakura Park# The Takigawa Rapeseed Flower Festival is a spring flower viewing spot in Hokkaido. One is the pink carpet of Shibazakura covering the hills, dreamy and magnificent, and the other is the yellow rapeseed flower field. Both places are beautiful and worth a stop. . Departing from Amidashi, we will first arrive at Higashimokoto, and after viewing the Shibazakura, we will go to Takigawa, and then drive to Sapporo. ✓Recommended hotels: Hokkaido is very famous for its hot springs. You can choose to stay in several special hot spring hotels, such as #Akan游久の里紻雅 in the Akan Lake Hot Spring Area, or #北殷巷hirotokohotel in the Shiretoko Peninsula, where you can soak in hot springs and eat Kaiseki Japanese food, very enjoyable! ✓Must-eat food: The only thing you must eat when visiting Hokkaido is seafood! Whether it is a seafood restaurant in Kushiro Fishing Port or a buffet in a hot spring hotel, there must be fresh sashimi and salmon roe. You can DIY a bowl of sashimi donburi yourself. Obihiro is also famous for its pork, and the charcoal-grilled pork donburi is a must-try. There is also Hokkaido fresh milk produced in Tokachi. It is thick, pure, fragrant and cheap. You can drink it for breakfast every day. ✓Shopping Guide: If you want to shop for souvenirs, of course you have to go back to the metropolis Sapporo. The most famous Tanukikoji Shopping Street has everything you need, from drugstores to souvenirs, and there are many delicious restaurants along the way. In addition, Daimaru Department Store in Sapporo also has a fantastic product called Snow White Cheese, which is more popular than NY Cheese in Tokyo. Don’t miss it and queue up before it opens! #HOkkaidoTravel #self-driving tour #itinerary sharing #100 ways to travel

#100 ways to travel #bathtubhotel #poolhotel A self-driving trip in Hokkaido in spring, from Lake Akan to Shiretoko Peninsula, staying in Shiretoko on the coast of Shari Town for one night. Kita-Shiretoko Hotel & Rsort is a hot spring hotel located on the coast of the Sea of ​​​​Hokhotsk, close to the Shiretoko World Heritage Center and Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat Terminal. There is also a Godzilla Rock next to the harbor, and the seagulls and crows are all very big. Stepping into the lobby of Kitaxomi Shiretoko Hotel, you will see Shiretoko's specialties #SeaAngel and #DriftIce. SeaAngel is a type of plankton with a transparent body and small wings on both sides. It only appears in cold and clean waters. It looks very cute and healing. The hotel is famous for its hot spring spa. In addition to the hot springs indoors and outdoors, there is also an outdoor foot bath area, where people can soak their feet while looking at the pier, which is quite comfortable. Now that you are in Hokkaido, you must try the seafood buffet. It’s quite delicious to eat all you can of Matsuba crab legs! The room is about 80 to 9 square meters in size, and you can choose between beds or tatami. The price for a double room including breakfast is about $10,000, which is acceptable for a hot spring hotel. The room is also clean and comfortable. If you choose a room with a private hot spring in the room, it may cost more than $15,000. In fact, the hotel’s open-air hot spring has a great view, so you don’t need to spend more money to take a bath in the room. The Shiretoko Peninsula is really isolated from the world, especially the Shiretoko Five Lakes. With the snow-capped mountains of the Shiretoko Range as the background and the beautiful swamp waters of the wilderness as the foreground, taking photos of it is very different. It is really beautiful no matter how you take pictures! #Hokkaido Exploration #Shiretoko Accommodation #北辛伊知床hotel

The Futami Falls is the largest waterfall on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Its official name is "Oshinkoshin no Taki", which means "a river that slides down a cliff" in the Ainu language. This is a mysterious waterfall without a source. The water flows out from the cliffs and is released after gathering the abundant water from the Shiretoko Mountains. Because the waterfall is divided into two parts by rocks in the middle, it is also called the "Double Beauty Waterfall". The waterfall is about 30 meters wide and has a height difference of 50 meters. The waterfall is so majestic and awe-inspiring that it has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan" and one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Shiretoko. 📍Address: 〒099-4354 Utoro Nishi, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido #Waterfall #100 Ways to Travel

Utoro, Shiretoko Peninsula [Utoro Fishing Port Women's Club Restaurant] This restaurant is close to the sea and has a neat and tidy interior. The beautiful sea urchin and salmon roe bowl has large salmon roe! The sea urchin is good, but the salmon-based menu also looks fun. Due to the harsh climate of the north, this town is at the forest limit. As you cross the Shiretoko Pass in a rental car, the trees gradually become thinner and more unreliable. There are no roads to the edge of the Shiretoko Peninsula, but it seems that you can get part of the way by trekking. 💰Price per person: Sea urchin and salmon roe bowl 3,600 yen 📍Location: 117 Utoro Higashi, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido Opening hours: 8:30am - 2:30pm Closed on Thursdays #Utoro Fishing Port Women's Club Restaurant #Utoro #Shiretoko Peninsula #Hokkaido #Hokkaido Trip #0 Yen Trip

Have you ever seen drift ice? You can see drift ice if you go to Hokkaido! That's not to say. You can only see drift ice in the sea facing the Okhotsk Sea in the eastern part of Hokkaido, or along the eastern coast of Hokkaido. The most famous spot is the Okhotsk area. Among them, Utoro Town in Shiretoko is on the eastern side, the closest place you can go by car, and you can see it well from there. The season is from the end of January to February. Ice that has frozen in the northern seas rides the waves and reaches the Okhotsk coast. Snow removal is progressing, so even people who are not used to driving on snowy roads can drive, but please be careful. #wintertrip #hotsprings #wintertrip #gourmet #hokkaido #greatviewspots

You've probably heard of the Road to Heaven in Shiretoko, Eastern Hokkaido. This road is usually visited in the summer when there is no snow, but this time it was covered in snow. You can actually go higher, but due to the heavy snowfall, the road was not cleared in time, so I took this photo halfway up. Access: Memanbetsu Airport 2 hours by car, 2 hours by bus There is also a train, but it is inconvenient and not recommended. Tourist spot: Road to Heaven As the name suggests, if you look west from the observation deck at the top, it is a straight road with a lot of up and down movement, so if you come at sunset, it looks like the road is stretching towards the sun. Hotel: Okhotsk House 5 minutes walk from Shari Shiretoko Station. There are roadside stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and supermarkets in the area. Shopping: There are lots of seafood from Shiretoko on sale at the product exhibition next to the roadside station. #Hokkaido #Eastern Hokkaido #Hokkaido trip #Shiretoko #Road to Heaven #Winter trip #Tourism #Breathtaking view #Hot spring

Have you ever seen drift ice? This time, we will introduce the drift ice of Shiretoko, Hokkaido, which is famous for its drift ice! You can see drift ice from Shari Town, but the further you go, the closer you can see it. How to access: From Memanbetsu Airport Tourist spots: Just under 3 hours by car The bus leaves from Memanbetsu. Please note that the train only goes to the neighboring town of Shari! Hotel: Kitakobushi & Shiretoko Kanko Hotel Meals & Restaurants: Fishery Cooperative Women's Restaurant Shopping: Utoro Roadside Station #Hokkaido #Eastern Hokkaido #Drift Ice #Shiretoko Shari Station #Shiretoko #Utoro

Visited in February 2023 *Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort Automatic piano playing in the spacious lobby And welcome coffee☕️ Footbath terrace and mini drift ice museum Even just the lobby floor is full of things to see✨ And there is also a demonstration and sale of Oboro Konbu❣️ This was incredibly delicious😋 The food is also a buffet, but there is a wide variety and everything was delicious😊 And the hot springs and sauna at this hotel are highly recommended🎵 I enjoyed watching the drift ice✨ This is a highly recommended hotel for staying in Shiretoko😊 #AccommodationReview#Hokkaido #HokkaidoTrip #Shiretoko #KitakobushiShiretokoHotel & Resort

Visited in February 2023 *Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort Rooms Very close to the bus terminal and roadside station There's also a convenience store nearby So conveniently located✨ Plus, the view from the room is amazing😊 I could see the drift ice🥰 And I could see the foxes running~🙌 The room was spacious and had all the amenities☺️ I was able to relax and enjoy my time at this relaxing hotel🎵 #AccommodationReview#Hokkaido #HokkaidoTrip #Shiretoko #KitakobushiShiretokoHotel & Resort

Visited in February 2023 *Inside the bus from Abashiri to Shiretoko A bus between Abashiri and Shiretoko, a special winter service 🚌 The view from the left side was spectacular 🙌 A limited-time tourist train You can see the drift ice story You can see Kitahama Station, the closest station to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk And as we got closer to Shiretoko The drift ice was coming ‼ ️ It was close 😊 It was a wonderful bus where you could enjoy the spectacular view even while traveling 🎵 #Snowscape #Hokkaido #HokkaidoTrip #Shiretoko

Visited in February 2023 *Roadside Station Shari A roadside station that is about a 5-minute walk from Shiretoko Shari Station and easily accessible by train✨ Inside the building, along with tourist information, there was a Loco Solare panel and Shiretoko Shari Neputa😊 The adjacent Shiretokoya has souvenir shops and restaurants where you can buy and eat Shiretoko's specialty products🥰 Perfect for waiting for a train or taking a break during a drive🎵 #Snowscape#Hokkaido #HokkaidoTrip #TohokuTourism #Shiretoko #RoadsideStation

#日本酒店 Located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, this hotel is a large resort hotel located in the natural environment of Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage Site, and is also the best hotel in the area. This is a place I think is worth and must stay for at least two nights. After all, this is one of the few world natural heritage sites in Japan, and there are so many places worth seeing. The hotel rooms and hot springs are similar to those of other hot spring hotels, and there are also private hot spring rooms. It's just that the buffet breakfast and dinner are slightly inferior to those of Hokkaido Tsuruga Hotel Group, with fewer varieties, but in fact it is enough, and the dining environment here is much better. The food varieties in the pictures are just the ones I chose. They are enough to fill me up. Of course, I ordered seafood sashimi several times. In addition to enjoying a rich variety of mountain delicacies and seafood from the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, you can also overlook the vast expanse of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and fully enjoy the abundant and high-quality hot spring water bubbling from the majestic land of Shiretoko. In this unusual place that seems to float on the sea and in the air, you can escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, feel the breath of the Okhotsk Wave, and fully absorb the energy of the Shiretoko land. Note: The hotel exterior photos were taken in winter and summer respectively. #Overseas Travel #Japan Travel #Seaview Hotel #Hotel with the Best Seaview #Sea of ​​Okhotsk #Seafood Meal #Seafood Platter #Seafood Sashimi #Hotel Buffet #Hokkaido Travel #Hokkaido Food