Shiretoko National Park UNESCO & Shiretoko Five Lakes

Category: UNESCO World Natural Heritage & Primeval Wilderness | Location: Onnebetsumura, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 099-4356

Protruding boldly into the subarctic waters of the Sea of Okhotsk in northeastern Hokkaido, the Shiretoko Peninsula was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2005. Its name originates from the indigenous Ainu phrase *Sir-etok*, meaning "The End of the Earth." This 70-kilometer peninsula encompasses one of East Asia’s most pristine and intact wilderness ecosystems, where marine and terrestrial food webs intertwine in astonishing harmony: nutrient-dense seasonal currents feed massive migrations of wild salmon, which in turn sustain the highest concentration of brown bears (*Higuma*) on Earth alongside endangered Blakiston’s fish owls and Steller’s sea eagles. The terrestrial crown jewel of the national park is Shiretoko Goko (The Five Lakes of Shiretoko)—a constellation of five jewel-like tarns nestled within ancient mixed fir and birch forests at the foot of the Shiretoko Mountain Range. Visitors can stroll along the 800-meter Elevated Wooden Boardwalk, a fully wheelchair-accessible pathway protected by an electrified wildlife fence that offers panoramic vistas of Lake Ichiko reflecting the snow-dusted peaks of Mount Rausu and Mount Iozan. Adventurous travelers wishing to explore all five lakes can traverse the 3-kilometer Ground Pathway accompanied by certified wilderness nature guides. To appreciate Shiretoko’s untamed oceanic majesty, travelers board sightseeing cruises departing from Utoro Port to skirt sheer volcanic sea cliffs plunging 200 meters into cobalt waters. From the open deck, passengers marvel at the steaming geothermal cascades of Kamuiwakka Falls, towering basalt sea arches, and wild mother brown bears teaching their cubs to forage along rugged boulder beaches completely undisturbed by human contact. The Shiretoko World Heritage Conservation Center is located approximately two hours by road from Memanbetsu Airport.