10 Best Things to Do in Shiretoko: Local’s Guide

Visiting Shiretoko in Hokkaido and wondering what to do there? In this guide, I’ll tell you the top must-do activities, and you’ll love them all especially if you’re into nature and outdoors.

I grew up in Eastern Hokkaido, and Shiretoko is one of my favorite places in Hokkaido that I recommend to travelers in every season.

Shiretoko is known for its untouched nature, wildlife, and lovely local people. It’s also registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage. It’s remote, but I promise it’s worth the long travel.

To convince you to make a visit, I put together this list of the 10 best things to do in Shiretoko, from wildlife-watching cruises to climbing waterfalls and eating fresh uni. I’ll also share my local tips and personal favorites.

Let’s dive in!

1. Walk the Shiretoko Five Lakes Trail

If there’s one trail you do in Shiretoko, this should be it.

The Shiretoko Five Lakes Trail is a peaceful nature walk that takes you through untouched forest, quiet lakes, and views of the beautiful mountain range. It’s one of the best ways to experience Shiretoko’s great nature.

There are three routes to choose from, so it’s easy to find one that suits your pace.

• The elevated boardwalk (1.6 km) is the easiest and accessible year-round except for the winter closure. It takes you to the first lake with beautiful panoramic views.
• The small loop (1.6 km) lets you walk into the forest and see two lakes. From May to July, you’ll need to join a guided tour due to bear activity. From August to November, you can walk it yourself after a safety briefing.
• The big loop (3 km) is perfect if you want to see all five lakes and really immerse yourself in the landscape. It follows the same rules as the small loop.

This is going to be the highlight of your summer trip to Shiretoko!

✅ Book an English-Speaking Guide for the Shiretoko Five Lake Trail here

Important: The trail is closed in winter (mid-November to mid-April).

2. Hike to coastal cliffs on a scenic nature walk

Looking for something more off-the-beaten-path in Shiretoko? This forest and cliff hike is one of my favorite hidden gems.

Unlike the well-known Five Lakes Trail, this guided walk takes you deeper into Shiretoko’s untouched forest and ends with a breathtaking view of the Okhotsk Sea from high coastal cliffs.

To join this 3-hour hike, you’ll need to go with a certified local guide. That’s not just for safety (brown bears live here) but also because they’ll help you notice things you’d easily miss on your own. Like claw marks on trees, animal tracks, edible plants, and stories about the forest.

I did my hike with Lan, an English & Chinese-speaking local guide from Taiwan. I’m so glad that I joined her private tour, because she taught me so much about Shiretoko’s nature that I never knew! She also runs a salmon fishery tour in fall, which is now on my must-do list for next time.

3. Watch bears, dolphins, and whales on nature cruise

If you love wildlife, this is the best way to experience Shiretoko’s wild side.

You might spot brown bears walking along the coast, dolphins swimming beside the boat, or even orcas and sperm whales out at sea. Cruise staff are extremely skilled at spotting them, so you can just follow their instructions on where to look!

Cruises depart from Utoro (west side, known for bears and cliffs) or Rausu (east side, famous for whale watching in summer).

Want to know the best seasons for dolphins, whales and orcas? Read my full guide to Shiretoko nature cruises here.

4. Walk on drift ice & swim in the frozen sea

Yes, you read that right. In Shiretoko, you can swim in the frozen sea! And it’s one of the most unforgettable winter experiences you can have in Hokkaido.

Every February and March, drift ice come down to the coast of Eastern Hokkaido from Russia’s Amur River. In Shiretoko, you can join a special tour to walk on the drift ice wearing a dry suit.

Tours begin with a safety briefing and a short walk across the ice. The best part of it is that you can float in the slushy sea! The dry suit keeps you warm and floating, so you don’t have to know how to swim.

I was a bit nervous when I tried this for the first time, but I loved it so much that I started recommending it to everyone who’s visiting Eastern Hokkaido in winter!

💡Pro tip: Drift ice tours are very popular and fill up quickly. Book early with Gojiraiwa Kanko or Shinra.

5. Stay at your home away home: Sekka Shiretoko

If you’re looking for a hotel that feels warm, welcoming, and personal, I always recommend Sekka Shiretoko. It’s a cozy, family-run onsen inn just 30 minutes from Utoro.

What makes this place special is the owner, Souko-san, who brings heart and soul to every guest’s stay. She carefully chooses local incidents and prepares delicious homecooked meals for guests. Her warmth is the reason many travelers return again and again!

👉 Read more about Sekka Shiretoko and how to book your stay here.

6. Waterfall climbing at Kamuiwakka

Kamuiwakka is a hidden gem that not many international travelers know… It’s a river that flows with warm spring water, deep in the forest.

The main experience here is climbing up the Kamuiwakka waterfall. During the summer months, you can walk directly in the stream, over small waterfalls and rocks. The water starts off around 25°C and gets warmer as you go, up to nearly 38°C near the upper falls.

The goal is the fourth waterfall, which takes about 60–90 minutes round trip from the base. Expect about 3–4 hours total for the whole experience, including driving from Utoro.

Information

• Climbing season: July 1 – September 30
• No private cars allowed from August 9–18. Take the shuttle bus.
• Check the official website for updates, booking info, safety rules and guided tours.

7. Stop by Oshinkoshin Waterfall for a quick scenic break

Want to see a waterfall in Shiretoko but don’t have time (or energy) for a big adventure like Kamuiwakka? This one’s for you.

Oshinkoshin Waterfall is an easy, no-hike stop just 10 minutes by car from Utoro. The water beautifully falls in twin streams from an 80-meter-high cliff, making it a spot on Japan’s list of top 100 waterfalls.

I always stop here when driving between Utoro and Shari. It’s quick (expect 15 min) and refreshing.

8. Climb Oronko Rock for panoramic views of Utoro

If you’re staying in Utoro and have a bit of extra time, Oronko Rock is the perfect mini adventure.

This giant 60-meter rock stands right by Utoro Port. It only takes about 5 minutes to reach the top, but be ready for steep stone stairs all the way up.

Once you’re at the summit, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the Sea of Okhotsk, Utoro town, and the Shiretoko mountain range!

💡Pro tip: Wear good walking shoes. Free parking and restrooms are available.

9. Drive the “Road to Heaven” and snap epic photos

If you are driving between Abashiri and Shirtoko, make a quick stop at this photo spot. It’s just 15 min from central Shari.

This long, straight road looks like it climbs right into the sky, called the “Road to Heaven” (天に続く道 / Ten ni Tsuzuku Michi). It’s a simple road, but an iconic view of Hokkaido. There is a small, free parking and the observation deck for a beautiful field view.

10. Eat fresh local uni (sea urchin)

Shiretoko’s uni (sea urchin) is known as one of the best in all of Hokkaido. It’s creamy and has a rich, sweet flavor. What makes it so good? Because they grow up eating nutrient-rich kelp in the region!

The best seasons are January to June on the Rausu side, and May to August on the Utoro side.

There are many places to try uni around Shiretoko, but my favorites are Cafe GVO owned by a uni fisherman, and Utoro Gyokyo Fujinbu Shokudo. It’s a retro diner run by wives of local fishermen. It’s always busy with both locals and tourists coming for high-quality, fresh seafood.

Your next steps

Now you know all the best things to do in Shiretoko!

If you are still planning your itinerary, here’s how to spend 3 days in summer in Shiretoko, and how to spend 3 days in winter without a car.

Want to tour around Hokkaido, including Shiretoko? This road trip itinerary is perfect for you.

Happy trip planning!