3-Day Summer Shiretoko Itinerary for Nature Lovers
Looking for a summer getaway in Hokkaido? Shiretoko is a natural wonderland that’s perfect for outdoor lovers.
As a Hokkaido local, I spent many summer weekends in Shiretoko and loved everything that this beautiful peninsula offers.
So I’ll walk you through my favorite 3-day Shiretoko itinerary for summer, which includes…
- 3 hiking/walking trails that you should do
- More things to do in Shiretoko
- The best onsen hotels to stay in Shiretoko (for any budget)
Let’s dive in!
How to get to Shiretoko
Shiretoko is a peninsula on the East coast of Hokkaido. Shiretoko National Park covers 2/3 of the peninsula and is home to beautiful untouched nature and wild animals.
You’ll be most likely to stay in Utoro, a small port town, which is the center of Shiretoko tourism. There are many nice onsen hotels with ocean views that you don’t want to miss!
Getting to Shiretoko by car
To get to Utoro in Shiretoko, the closest airport is Memanbetsu Airport, which is about 2 hours by car.
Getting to Shiretoko by public transportation
From Memanbetsu Airport: Take Shiretoko Airport Liner Bus from Memanbtesu Airport directly to Utoro, which takes about 2 hours and 15 mins.
Shiretoko Airport Liner runs between Memambetsu Airport and Utoro 2-3 times a day
(Check the official timetable here). It stops at JR Abashiri station, Koshimizu, and Shari Bus Terminal in between. You can buy a ticket at a vending machine at the airport, for 3,500 JPY to Utoro.
From elsewhere: If you are coming from other cities, like Abashiri or Kushiro, take a train to the JR Shiretoko Shari station. And then change to a local bus bound for Utoro for about an hour.
Day 1: Nature cruise & sunset
Once you arrive in Utoro, let’s check in at your hotel and drop off your luggage before exploring the town!
Hotels in Utoro are mostly within walking distance from the Utoro Bus Terminal located at the center of the town.
Nature cruise: wildlife watching on the sea
To start off your Shiretoko experience, get on a cruising tour! (Booking is required.)
The tour takes you on a trip along the peninsula’s coast for a couple of hours. The view is spectacular – beautiful waterfalls, huge cliffs, and hidden natural bays.
During summer months, you’ll have a high chance (about 80%) of spotting wild animals both on the land and in the sea, such as brown bears and dolphins.
As these cruising tours are popular and get crowded in high seasons, make sure to reserve your spots online in advance.
Pricing is around 8,000 yen for a 3-hour route, 6,000 yen for two hours, and 3,000 yen for one hour.
Here are some companies operating cruising tours in Utoro.
Beautiful sunset over the ocean
Before closing your first day in Shiretoko, head to this subset observatory on a hill. You’ll be amazed by a beautiful sunset sinking into the Okhotsk Sea.
There is parking in front for free. You can also walk there from the central area of Utoro for 15 mins.
Where I’ve stayed: Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
A mid-range onsen hotel that my whole family loved!
✅ Kid-Friendly: Indoor heated pool & Toy area
✅ Great buffet with many local dishes
✅ Spacious onsen with a bath for kids
If you want a local stay: Sekka Shiretoko
A small, cozy family-run onsen hotel in nature
✅ Friendly owner like your auntie
✅ Delicious homemade meals using local ingredients
✅ High-quality hot spring water
Day 2: Hiking in Shiretoko National Park
Now let’s explore more of Shiretoko’s untouched nature! Here I will walk you through 3 hiking/walking trails which you can choose from depending on your physical level.
All the trails mentioned here are relatively easy — more like walking in forests and glass lands, not hiking on a mountain.
They all start from the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center.
For mandatory guided tours, make sure to book your spots in advance. Also check if they provide transportation service to your hotels in Utoro.
Shiretoko National Park Nature Center
Shiretoko National Park Nature Center offers a range of exhibits and educational materials about the nature and unique ecosystem of Shiretoko.
They also provide visitors with advice and security briefs for hiking around the Shiretoko National Park.
You can also rent outdoor gear here, such asboots, trekking poles, snowshoes, and binoculars.
After your hike, come back to a cafe inside the center, BARISTART COFFEE. Also check out The North Face shop for special items featuring Shiretoko’s signature bear character.
Information
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm from November to April, 8 am – 5:30 pm from May to October
- Admission free
- Access: 10 mins by car and a bus from Utoro Bus Terminal
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Option 1: Shiretoko Five Lakes Trail
The Shiretoko Five Lakes (Goko) Trail is one of the must-do activities while you’re in Shiretoko.
This is an easy 3-km loop trail, visiting five lakes while looking at a beautiful mountain range.
There are three different routes to accommodate all physical levels. 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.
- 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 is required. Accessible all year around.
- Small loop route (1.6 km) – A trail going through the forest and viewing the first and second lakes. A guided tour is required from May to July. A safety briefing at the Nature Center is 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.
✅ Book a guided tour for the Shiretoko Five Lake Trail here
You can get detailed information on the Five-Lake official website. Note that the National Park is closed in winter from mid-November to mid-April.
Option 2: Scenic Nature Walk – Untouched Forest & Coastal Cliffs
This beautiful 3-hour guided walking tour will be an unforgettable experience for your trip.
Walking through the deep forest and untouched nature of Shiretoko National Park, you’ll be reworded with the panorama view of the Okhotsk Sea!
Hiring a local guide is required for this trail, and I was so glad that I did it in one summer. I got to know so many things about Shiretoko’s nature and history, which I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
The trail is mostly flat – you don’t have to be an experienced hiker at all. This is a perfect activity for anyone who loves being in nature!
Again, note that hiring a guide is required, as the trail is unmarked and there is a high risk of encountering wild bears in the summer.
Read more about my walking tour experience with Lan, a Shiretoko guide.
Option 3: a short walk to Furepe waterfall
Don’t want to do a 2,3 hour-long trail? No worries, Shiretoko has still got something for you.
From the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center, you can take a 1-km path to Furepe Waterfall on a coastal cliff in just 20 mins one way.
It’s a relatively flat, easy walk. At the end of the trail, you reach an observation deck where you can view the beautiful, calm waterfall falling into the ocean.
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Day 3: Enjoy Shiretoko the Last Minutes
It’s the last day! Here are two spots that you can visit before you head to your next destination.
You could either do shopping at a local product shop, or go get a view of a stunning waterfall – or both if you have time!
Local Souvenir Shopping
After you check out your hotel, make sure to stop by Michi no Eki Utoro (a rest area), located at the center of Utoro. This is a perfect place to get souvenirs or even treats for yourself!
The shop offers a wide range of local products, such as Shiretoko salmon, local berry jams, canned bear meat, dear meat curry, and many delicious snacks and sweets.
You can enjoy also different kinds of meals at their restaurant, including seafood, soba noodles, and lunch set menu.
Oshinkoshin waterfall
Falling from 80 meter-high with a width of 30 meters, Oshinkoshin Waterfall has been selected as one of the best 100 waterfalls in Japan. The name Oshinkoshin comes from the words in Ainu language that mean a place where spruce trees grow down the stream.
This beautiful waterfall is located 9 km from Utoro towards Shari, just 10 mins by car.
To get there by public transportation, you can take a local bus from Utoro Bus Terminal bound for Shari for 10 min (490 yen), or a taxi (2,000-2,500 yen). The bus runs only once a couple of hours, so definitely call a tax on the way back.
The waterfall is right next to the road where you get off. There are wooden stairs to get closer to the waterfall. About 15 min would be enough to walk around and take photos there.
Where to stay in Shiretoko for All Budget Levels
Luxury hotels in Shiretoko
- Kita Kobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort
Located right in front of Utoro port, this hotel offers a beautiful ocean view. Some rooms have a private open-air hot spring. An ocean-view public hot spring available. Amazing dining experience with fresh local ingredients. - Shiretoko Dai Ichi Hotel
You will enjoy the huge buffet offering 80 kinds of dishes, including Japanese, Chinese, and Western food. Their gorgeous public hot spring is made with natural jade.
📍Pick up: Looking for a cozy hotel where you feel connected with a warm-hearted owner? Stay at Sekka Shiretoko.
Mid-Range Hotels in Shiretoko
- Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko
A cozy family-run hotel with an ocean view. Dinner includes different kinds of appetizers and “oil fondue,” with which you fry your own tempura, all using local seafood and vegetables. Both public and private hot springs available. - Shiretoko Noble Hotel
Their roof-top open-air hot spring is the best spot for sunsets. Lots of fresh seafood, like scallops and crabs, and seasonal dishes are served for dinner.
Affordable hotel in Shiretoko
- Route Inn Grantia Shiretoko Shari Ekimae
This reasonable hotel is not in Utoro, but is conveniently located just a one-minute walk from JR Shari station. A great budget option if you don’t mind a bus ride to Utoro. Natural public hot spring and free breakfast available.
Where to visit after Shiretoko?
Here are my recommendations!
- If you want to stay at a cozy onsen town right next to a beautiful lake, head to Akan.
- If you’re traveling without a car, Abashiri is a public transportation-friendly city.
- If you have a car, make a day trip to Lake Kussharo & Lake Mashu. Lots of nature spots!
Also check out my multiple-destination itineraries for 5 days ,7 days and 2 weeks, all including Shiretoko!
Your next steps
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Got a quick question? You can throw it at me in Eastern Hokkaido Travel Group on Facebook.
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