The Shiretoko World Heritage Nature Cruise
goes around the Shiretoko Peninsula and allows visitors to
see the beautiful scenery of the land.
There are multiple Shiretoko Nature
Cruises that you
can take to go around the Shiretoko Peninsula. The
main one is the Shiretoko Sightseeing Ship Aurora
(おー
ろら). The starting point of the cruises leaves from the
Utoro Port in the Shiretoko Peninsula. The course of
the
ships’ goes along the western coastline to Cape
Shiretoko or if the group does not have the time to be
on
a boat for 3 hours then there are options available to
do
half. If people choose to do half the course then they
will
only reach Mount Io instead of Cape Shiretoko.
In 2005, Shiretoko was declared a World Heritage
Site,
which allowed residences to maintain and protect
their
various living creatures and biodiversity. Furthermore,
cruises can also provide passengers a chance to see
animals in their natural states along the coast
depending on the season. Other views include the
scenery given by the tall cliffs with waterfalls and sea
caves in a panoramic setting. In fact, there are many
views that one can see and photograph or record
along
the coast that cannot be experienced on land up
close.
For instance, though there are paths that lead more
than halfway into the peninsula, the coastal view
gives
its unique point of view to passengers riding along the
coast from the Okhotsk Sea. Since Shiretoko is
known
as a “waterfall kingdom,” some of the waterfalls can
be
seen during the cruise.
The Kamuiwakka falls can be seen from the boat
and is
known for its hot spring water. The steam, yellow
residue on the rocks and strong sulfur smell can be
experienced while on the cruise. Another waterfall
that
can be seen is Furepe falls, which is also known as
“Maiden Tears.” It is called that because the
groundwater of the falls comes out of cracks within
the
cliffs giving onlookers a sad feeling because it looks
like
the rock face is crying. Depending on the size of boat
you choose to take will determine how close you will
be
able to get to the shore. The smaller boats can
maneuver closer rather than larger cruises, but it is
more expensive. No matter what option you choose it
will be well worth it.
Please see
below for tours that include Shiretoko Nature Cruise:
