What other travelers are saying about Shiretoko National Park
A magical walk through an ancient, untouched forest.
You can truly feel the power of life in every plant here. Tiny saplings that haven’t even reached your knees have been standing strong for over 20 years. The number of oak acorns scattered on the ground even serves as an indicator of the forest’s overall health for the year.
When you’re tired, gently rub the leaves of the fragrant cypress—its calming, earthy scent brings an instant sense of peace and relaxation.
Photos and videos barely capture a tenth of its true beauty. I highly recommend experiencing the delicate balance of this rich ecosystem in person.
My only regret? I didn’t spot a brown bear 🐻😂
A unique landscape if nothing else but there is more. Upon finishing the well made & well maintained wooden broadwalk or if you decided to take the ground path you will end up at the last point & be treated to an impressive mountain range backdrop. Topped with long since hardened molten lava the tops are shrouded in low clouds. A mountain backdrop dropping down steeply to the Okhotsk sea & a ‘sea’ of short bamboo grass with 5 small lakes in between truly makes for a unique landscape. There was only one large lake when we went in early October as the others may have drained at that time of the year. A modest park entrance fee of ¥500 was charged for cars. Those choosing to walk on the ground track are required to pay a small fee per person but the broadwalk is free.
This review is specifically for the Shiretoko-goko Lakes or the Shiretoko Five Lakes at the Shiretoko National Park. As a first time foreign tourist in Hokkaido, I visited this attraction this afternoon and I was impressed by the "as far as the eye can see" wooden boardwalks to see the main lake here, making it a relatively comfortable walk among nature - whereas the other four lakes are in a less accessible situation for the ordinary tourist. While this place boasts the lake(s) and its wooden boardwalks, the scenery of its surroundings is very beautiful and if you are lucky, you would be able see wildlife nearby - especially deer. So if you are in Shiretoko, I highly recommend this place for you to visit.
We went in the winter and the view was outstanding. Shiretoko with the drift ice is beautiful. What isn't is the train ride there made for tourists, horribly noisy, the staff says everything on a loudspeaker ("See the drift ice" , "look at the mountain" etc.). Insufferably loud and very unnecessary service - you can see all without help obviously. BUT the most disappointing part is how we don't speak about fishing activities in a national park area... We went to the port and saw a fish drying facility which is protected by nets from the birds that would go and "steal" the fish. Marine birds are hung up and dying as they get caught in these nets. Commercial fishing already has a huge amount of bycatch on the sea, we have to add a lot more to it on land too. And all this in a national park - a should be protected area.
Beautiful area. We visited in winter and took a tour to see the Stella’s sea eagles. The tour was great and was extremely informative. Got to see quite a few eagles too. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing as the weather gets very cold particularly if it’s windy.
Key attractions include the Shiretoko Five Lakes, hiking trails with breathtaking views, wildlife observation (including brown bears and various bird species), and the drift ice experience in winter.
The park offers different experiences throughout the year. Summer (June to August) is ideal for hiking and wildlife watching, while winter (January to March) offers the unique spectacle of drift ice. Visiting during the respective season of interest is recommended.
While there are no accommodations within the park itself, nearby towns such as Rausu and Utoro offer various lodging options, from hotels to guesthouses.
Prepare suitable clothing for the season, comfortable walking shoes, and bear spray if you plan to hike in areas known for bear activity. Also, carry enough water and snacks for your journey.
Yes, various guided tours are available, offering insights into the park's ecology, geography, and wildlife. It's a great way to enhance your visit safely and informatively.
