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― Nature ―


　The last unexplored region of Japan, the Shiretoko Peninsula, juts out over the Sea of Okhotsk. The part of the jut is 70km in the area.
　There are the mountain ranges of Shiretoko, such as Mt. Rausu and the sulfur mountain in the center. The whole peninsula is authorized as the Shiretoko National Park. In the deep forest, various animals like Yezo deer and Brown bear inhabit.
　Shiretoko not only shows its beauty but also deeply impresses you with the real beauty of nature created from the severe nature and the steep landform.
icon　Culture and History
　The name, Shiretoko, is Ainu in origin and the meaning of the name is the edge of earth. As the meaning of it, the precipitous cliffs range over the west coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula widely and the shape of the coast is like being cut by knife.
icon　Sightseeing Spot
The Shiretoko Nature Center
　The Shiretoko Nature Center is located at a junction point between Shiretoko Pass and Shiretoko Go Lake. The center is 5 km away from the city of Utoro regarded as the entrance of the Shiretoko National Park as well. The center is the base of the activities to protect the nature in Shiretoko.
　The highlight of the center is the dynamic show, "the Four Seasons in Shiretoko." You would enjoy the wild nature and impressive stories of the wild living creatures in the huge screen. You can go through the inner part of Shiretoko by the view from the sky.
　The information about the trek and the observation of creatures inhabiting in Shiretoko are available for you.
　If you would like to know the details of the nature, the tour, "the Nature Watching", will definitely make you feel more enjoyable.

The Shiretoko Museum
　The Shiretoko museum shows you the history of Shiretoko, the materials for folk custom and the habits of the wild animals and plants by the models and the pictures. There are the alpine botanical garden, the wild green garden, and the forest in the outdoor observation garden. Yezo deer, white-tailed eagle and Steller's sea eagle are raised in the garden.

The Exchange Memorial Museum of the Twin Town and Friendly City
　The Exchange Memorial Museum shows the nature and the histories of the twin town, Taketomi-Chou in Okinawa Prefecture, and the friendly city, the City of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture. "Neputa" used for the Shiretoko Neputa festival is exhibited as well.
icon　Impressive Spot
siretoko02.jpg The Eight Views in Shiretoko　
　　　　　　-1-Shiretoko Five Lakes
　The five lakes are so fantastic that you would spend the wonderful time.
　The groves of Mizunara, the fir trees, and the mountain ranges of Shiretoko are reflected in the surface of the lake as if all fascinating points of the lake were gathered on the surface.
　You would enjoy the singing of Black woodpecker, known as the national protected animal, from May to July. Other various animals and plants can be seen as well.
　The sidewalk encircles the five lakes. It takes an hour to go around the all five lakes. You could go to see the first and second lake just for 30 minutes.The observatory on the hill commands the panorama of the fist lake and the mountain ranges of Shiretoko.

The Eight Views in Shiretoko　-2-Shiretoko Pass
　The Shiretoko Pass, located the ridge of the mountain ranges of Shiretoko, is 738 m above. The pass is on the top of the Shiretoko crossing and leads to Shari Town Utoro and Rausu Town.
　In autumn, the pass commands the wonderful view of Mt. Rausu. If the weather is fine, you can see the Northern Territories, the Island of Kunashiri. The Shiretoko Pass is popular as the driving course as well.
Open：The End of April〜The Beginning of November
(The period may be changed because of the bad weather.)

The Eight Views in Shiretoko　-3-The Oshinkoshin Falls
　The Oshinkoshin Falls are also called, "the Soubi Falls" because the falls are separated into the two streams halfway.
　You could go up to the middle of the falls by the stairs. The observatory on the top of the falls commands the views of the Sea of Okhotsk and the mountain ranges of Shiretoko. In the season of that the ice floe comes, the white plain spread out as far as the eye can reach. You would be fascinated by the wonderful view of the falls. The Oshinkoshin Falls is also one of the best 100 selections of the falls in Japan.

The Eight Views in Shiretoko　-4-The Oronko Rock
　The Oronko Rock is the giant rock near Utoro harbor and is 60m in height.
　The Otoro Rock was named after the aborigines, the Orokko race.
　If you go up about one hundred seventy steps, you could reach the top and look down the blue sea, the Sea of Okotsk, Utoro twon, and the mountain ranges of Shiretoko.
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The Eight Views in Shiretoko　
　　　　　　　　　-5-Yuuhidai (The Place for the Setting Sun)
　As you guess from the name of the place, Yuuhidai in the Shiretoko public ground is noted for the setting sun and for the date spot.
　The setting sun reflected as the red streams on the surface of the sea is the most beautiful from spring to summer. The surface of the sea is likely to be dyed gold in winter as the ice floe covers the whole surface of the sea. You would enjoy great seasonal scene in each season.

The Eight Views in Shiretoko　-6-Puyuni Promontory
　The Puyuni Promontory noted for a wonderful view and for the beautiful setting sun, is at the slope on the way to the Shiretoko Nature Center from Utoro.
　The Puyuni Promontory commands the coastline of Okhotsk and Utoro harbor. You may see the mountains of the Akan National Park far away and the drift ice around the earlier period.

The Eight Views in Shiretoko　-7-The Furape Falls
　The snow and the rain seep into the underground of the mountain ranges of Shiretoko and the streams of the rain and the snow run down from the gap between the cliffs.This is the Furape Falls.
　The Furape Falls are also called, "Otomenonamida" (the Tears of a Maiden) as the falls run down just like the tears trickling down.
　It takes about 20 minutes to the falls from the Shiretoko Nature Center throughout the sidewalk by walking.

The Eight Views in Shiretoko　-8-The Falls of Kamuiwakka Hot Spring
　A hot spring coming out from the halfway up the active sulfur mountain of Shiretoko flows into the river. As a result of it, the whole river becomes a hot spring.
　Because of some basins of a waterfall, the river is also like an outdoor hot bath.
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icon　Bodily Sensation and Experience Spot
Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat, "Aurora"
　You can go cruising by the boat, "Aurora", along the Shiretoko Peninsula on the Sea of Okhotsk. (This boat with a capacity of 400 passengers.)
　You would be struck by the power of nature. Having 200m in length, a sea cliff rises straight up at sea. A unique sea cave appears like a merry-go-round. Some of falls flow into the Sea of Okhotsk. It is possible to watch an ecological system like seal and dolphin as well.
　The first course is for 1 hour 30 minutes and second one is for 3 hours 40 minutes.

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1.The Shiretoko Nature Center/ Seasonal Entertainment
　Shiretoko still maintain the primitive nature. You would enjoy communing with nature.

　1-1.The Furepe Falls / Nature Watching
　【April〜May・August〜October】
　You could see the Furape Falls and sea birds flying over the blue sea.

　1-2.Shiretoko Go Lake (Five Lake) Nature Watching
　【June・August〜September】
　You may feel the life of various creatures inhabiting in Shiretoko Go Lake.

　1-3.Bird-Watching in the Early Morning
　【June】
　The forest resounds with the singing of birds in the beginning of summer. You would hear the beautiful background music in Shiretoko.

　1-4.One Day Trekking
　【June・September】
　Going into the primeval forest, you would be struck by the dynamic power of nature in Shiretoko.

　1-5.The Rausudake Kouzan Shokubutsu Observation Center
　　　(The Alpine Plant Observation Center in Mt. Rausu)
　【July】
　You could see the small lovely flowers that are in full bloom all over the high mountain.

　1-6.Hiking to the New Crater in the Sulfur Mountain
　【July】
　It is hiking to the mountain that has been active since ancient times.

　1-7.Trekking in Mt. Rausu
　【July・August】
　You are able to enjoy alpine floras and plants in moor while going around the five lakes.

　1-8.Watching of Luminous Animal
　【August・September〜October】
　You walk around to seek the luminous animal, such as Yezo deer and North fox.

　1-9.Watching of Natural Spawning of Salmon and Trout
　【September〜October】
　The fish try to spawn with their full of energy. It is like a magnificent ceremony.

　1-10.Trekking in Shiretoko
　【October】
　This trek is led by the professional and gives you the experience to feel the primeval nature fully.

　1-11.Watching of Winter Animal
　【January〜February】
　You go out to see the wild animals that are active during winter.

　1-12.Walking Ski/ Hiking in a Snow Field
　【February・March】
　You could enjoy hiking while seeing the white shining mountain ranges of Shiretoko.

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2.The Association of the Naturalist in Shiretoko (NPO SHINRA) The Winter Tour

　2-1.Walking on the Drift Ice
　After wearing a dry suit, you could go for a walk on the drift ice.

　2-2.Snow Trekking
　You wear a pair of snowshoes and then walk around in the forest to go to the Furape Falls.

　2-3.The Shiretoko Night Theater
　This tour is to go to hear the sound of the drift ice being racked. The silence of the night is fantastic.

　2-4.Trekking for Animal
　This trek is held in the early morning. You are asked to wear a pair of snowshoes. The guide leads you to the forest.

3.The Plan for Summer

　3-1.Diving
　The various creatures inhabits in the sea of Shiretoko. Would you like to go to see the creatures?

　3-2.The Sea Kayak Cliff Tour
　You could feel the powerful falls and the sharp cliffs. The beginner is allowed to join the tour.

The Kamuiwakka Hot Spring Falls

　As the name of the falls, the Kamuiwakka hot spring falls are the falls the hot spring running down. The basin of a waterfall becomes an outdoor hot bath. If you go up to the stream about for 30 minutes, you will enjoy the outdoor hot bath in the wonderful nature.

icon　Steam
You would enjoy not only a hot spring bath but also the panorama of the Sea of Okhotsk and the mountain ranges of Shiretoko. The nature makes you feel relaxed.
Source・・・Salt Spring
Temperature・・・59.5 degrees
Effect・・・Ailment Caused by the Cold・Scald・Arthritis・Gastrointestinal Disorder・Neuralgia・Women's Disease and so on
icon　Gourmet
The Special Noodle, "Kumanoya"
　In the noodle, there are a lot of prawns and crabs taken form the harbor. The noodle with the salt tasted soup is the special noodle for Kumanoya.

Iwa Laver, "Ryuuhyou Dayori"

Cold Alcohol, "Ryuuhyou Gakoi"

Hairy Crab From Shiretoko

Salmon Chan-Chan Yaki

icon　Events
Fantasy of Shiretoko, "The Aurora Fantasy"
　The Aurora Fantasy is a fantastic event to show the aurora with the sublime nature in Shiretoko.
Open）2/2/2002〜3/9/2002　 Time) From 8:00 pm For 20 Minutes

Shiretoko Banya Festival
　In the Shiretoko Banya Festival, the fresh products of marine and mountain are grilled over charcoal. The wonderful meals and the sublime nature fascinate you in Banya where is the working place for fishers.
Open）18/10/2001〜30/11/2001

Umibirake Haruichiban Festival in Shiretoko
(The Start of the Swimming Season Festival in Shiretoko)
　The opening of an ocean occurs when the drift ice leaves around the time that the snow starts to thaw. Please enjoy the seasonal specialties of the sea and mountain in spring.
Open）The End of April in 2000 〜The Middle of May
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icon　Souvenir
The Specialty of Shiretoko Grand Hotel, Iwa Laver

Saomae Sea Tangle

Shiretoko Seafood Noodle

Ryuuhyou Gakoi Cold Alcohol

The Steamed Bun, "Kaitaku Shiretoko Story"

The Special Cookie of Shiretoko Grand Hotel, The Poem of Shiretoko

icon　Access to the Transportation

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icon　The Hotel for You Traveling
　Shiretoko is the last unexplored region surrounded by the sublime nature. There is the hotel, Shiretoko Grand Hotel, in such a sublime and severe place, Shiretoko. We hope that your journey becomes more enjoyable by our warm service.

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icon　For Inquiries mail info
　Please email us whenever you feel like traveling. You will obtain the best information for your trip from us. Please fill out the period of the trip, the number of your group, your favorite place to go, tour and so on. We would be happy to arrange your trip to meet your satisfaction. Please don't hesitate to ask about your budget.