Shiretoko is situated on Hokkaido’s eastern tip
near the Sea of Okhotsk, an unspoiled region
supporting a
diverse ecosystem.
Shiretoko
Peninsula is a magnificent woodland and
mountain region, and one of Japan’s most unspoiled
natural treasures. The name Shiretoko is derived from
the
Ainu language, meaning “Edge of the World”. Cherished
for its beauty, the region was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 2005. With roads only reaching
about three-quarters into the peninsula, much of
Shiretoko
is pure untouched natural splendor, whose northern tip
is
viewable only from the boats sailing off the rugged
coastline on the Sea of Okhotsk. The peninsula is also
noted as the southernmost area to observe drift ice in
winter.
The Shiretoko National Park also serves as a wildlife
preserve for an assortment of local forest fauna, such as
brown bears, Ezo red foxes, and mountain deer. The
coastal region especially is a heaven for bird-watchers
with its abundance of sea-fowl, including the majestic
Steller’s Sea-Eagle.
Please see
below
for tours that include Shiretoko:
