Shiretoko Five Lakes Field House
The Shiretoko Five Lakes Field House serves as the gateway to one of Hokkaido's most pristine natural attractions in Shiretoko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2005. Located in the northeastern tip of Hokkaido, this facility was established to manage visitor access to the five small lakes formed by the damming of the Iwaobetsu River by ancient lava flows from Mount Io. The lakes reflect the surrounding virgin forest and mountains, creating a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
The field house itself functions as an educational and safety center where visitors receive information about the local ecosystem before accessing the lake trails. Shiretoko's significance lies in its role as one of the world's richest integrated ecosystems, supporting brown bears, Steller's sea eagles, Blakiston's fish owls, and numerous other species. The area represents a rare meeting point of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, with seasonal sea ice influencing the entire food chain from plankton to apex predators.
Visitors to the field house can choose between two walking options: the elevated wooden pathway and the ground-level trail system. The elevated wooden boardwalk extends approximately 800 meters and remains accessible year-round without requiring a guide, offering barrier-free viewing of the first lake and surrounding forest.
The ground-level trail circuit, covering roughly 3 kilometers, takes hikers past all five lakes through dense forest, but access is restricted during bear activity periods from May to July, when certified guides are mandatory. The facility provides lectures on bear safety and current wildlife conditions before trail access.
The Field House is located approximately 18 kilometers from Utoro town center, the main tourist hub in Shiretoko. Visitors traveling by car can reach the site via Route 334 and the Shiretoko Five Lakes access road, with parking available near the facility. Public transportation options include seasonal sightseeing buses departing from Utoro during the tourist season, typically running from late April through October.
