Looking for outdoor adventure activities in Hokkaido? Shiretoko, a peninsula registered as a Natural World Heritage site, is the best place to immerse yourself in great nature. In this article, we explore the 5 best ways to get amazing experiences that you will never forget!
1. Drift Ice Tour - Walk and Swim in Frozen Sea
Visiting Shiretoko in Winter? Then you can never miss Drift Ice Walk! Walking on ice on the sea and swimming in slushy, icy seawater is a surreal experience. For this activity, you must join a guided tour including a safety brief, a dry suit and other necessary equipment. The tours take place in February and March.
2. Scenic Nature Walk - Untouched Forest & Coastal Cliffs
Planning a Summer trip? Try out a forest walk, which is my favorite activity during summertime. Experienced local guides take you to a vast preserved forest and beautiful coastal cliffs, while sharing with you knowledge about the wildlife and rich nature of Shiretoko.
3. Famous Shiretoko Five-Lake Walk
Another beautiful trail in Shiretoko is the Five-Lake (Goko) Walk in the Shiretoko National Park. This is one of the most popular activities in Shiretoko that you should definitely try. Exploring nature with incredible views of lakes and mountains is an amazing experience. There are three different routes to accommodate any physical level. Since the National Park is also home to wild brown bears, it is required to book a guided tour or to get a safety briefing at the Shiretoko Nature Center, depending on the season. Note that the National Park is closed in winter from mid-November to mid-April.
Protected walkway (a 1.6-km round trip) - An easy-to-walk pathway protected from wild bears with high-voltage wires, passing the first lake only. No guide required. Accessible all year around.
Small loop route (1.6 km) - A trail going through the forest and viewing the first and second lakes. Guided tour required from May to July. Safety briefing required for a self-guided walk from August to November.
Big loop route (3 km)- includes all five lakes for the best experience. Safety requirement is the same as the small loop.
4. Nature Cruising - Wildlife Watching on the Sea
For a full Shiretoko experience, get on a cruising tour! The tour makes a trip along the peninsula coast for a couple of hours. The view is spectacular. You can also observe wild animals both on the land and in the sea, such as brown bears and dolphins.
5. Sea Kayaking to Visit Hidden Waterfalls
If you are an athletic type of person, I highly recommend trying a sea kayaking tour in Shiretoko. A kayaking trip out at sea offers you a totally different experience from being on a motored cruiser. With a certified guide, you can reach spots that are inaccessible otherwise, like hidden waterfalls on massive coastal cliffs.
BONUS! - Seafood restaurant RECOMMENDATIONS
After enjoying outdoor activities, you gotta fuel up with fresh local seafood! There are many good seafood restaurants in Utoro and Shari, which are port towns in the Shiretoko Peninsula. Here are some recommendations.
Shiokaze - Izakaya-style restaurant
Utoro Gyokyo Fujinbu Shokudo - Lunch place run by wives of local fishermen
GVO - Uni Don (sea urchin rice bowl)
Shiretoko Satomi - A variety of seafood dishes, fresh or grilled
Get on a small cruiser to explore the Okhotsk Sea and the Shiretoko Peninsula. You can find wild animals, such as brown bears and dolphins!