Shiretoko

UNESCO World Heritage

知床

Shiretoko is a narrow peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, with a chain of steep mountains over 1,000 meters high. It was registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, 'Shiretoko', in July 2005, as an outstanding example of how sea and land ecosystems are linked. In winter the sea is covered with drift ice, which brings nutrients that feed sea life, and salmon swimming upstream are eaten by brown bears and Blakiston's fish owls. One popular spot is the Shiretoko Five Lakes, small lakes in a primeval forest.

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Visitor information

Admission

Five Lakes: the 800 m Elevated Wooden Path is free and open all season. It is barrier-free and wheelchair-friendly; it takes about 20 minutes one way to the Lakeside Observatory.

Five Lakes Ground Pathways, outside bear season: all visitors must attend a short lecture first. Fee: adults 450 yen, children 0–11 years 200 yen. Up to 50 people enter every 10 minutes.

Getting there

By car, about 60 minutes from JR Shiretoko-Shari Station.

Shiretoko Five Lakes: about 14 km (about 20 minutes by car) from Utoro. Shari Bus also runs from Shiretoko-Shari Station, about 40 km away.

Time needed

Ground Pathways: the long loop takes about 3 hours and the short loop about 1 hour 45 minutes. Paths close if bears appear.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Five Lakes: the road to the lakes is open from mid-April to mid-November.
Five Lakes Ground Pathways, Bears Active Season (May 10–July 31): you may enter only on a paid guided tour with a registered guide (max. 10 people, reservation required).
Five Lakes: food may be carried on the pathways only if completely sealed. Do not feed brown bears or other wildlife.
Shiretoko was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005 (criteria ix and x), covering about 71,000 ha.

Tips for Muslim visitors

At Shiretoko Five Lakes, everyone must attend a short (about 10-minute) information lecture at the Field House before entering the Ground Pathways in spring, summer and autumn.
During the bear-active season the Ground Pathways can only be walked on a guided tour: the short loop takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and the long loop about 3 hours, so plan prayer times around it.
If bears appear, the Ground Pathways close and tours may be cancelled, so keep your schedule flexible.
Natural sites may have few facilities. Bring water, a travel prayer mat and a qibla app, and check the weather; mountains and lakes can be much colder than the city.
Restrooms for wudu can be far apart on trails. Many Muslim travellers carry a small water bottle for wudu.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Hokkaido and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.