Recommended for such people
・ I want to conquer Japan's World Heritage Sites
・ I want to know the points to enjoy Shiretoko
What is the Shiretoko Peninsula?
Shiretoko is a peninsula in the easternmost part of Hokkaido, where abundant nature remains.
The etymology of the place name is Ainu, which means "the edge of the land (Siri Etok)".
This time, I would like to introduce you to the Shiretoko Peninsula, which is located on the very edge of Japan.
Why was it selected as a World Heritage Site?
First, I will explain the characteristics of Shiretoko.
Shiretoko was selected as a World Heritage Site in 2005 for three main reasons.
Reason XNUMX: Unique food chain
Drift ice flows in Shiretoko in winter.
Drift ice contains nutrient-rich algae (ice algae), which create a rich ecosystem.
You may be wondering, "Drift ice is likely to flow anywhere in the Arctic Circle, and what is unusual?", But Shiretoko is the sea area where drift ice reaches the lowest latitude (south) in the Northern Hemisphere.
In other words, it is most effective because the nutrient-rich drift ice comes to the warmest areas of the Arctic Circle.
Reason XNUMX: Rare animals
Since the land is rich with the power of drift ice, the number of animals will increase proportionally.
Many rare creatures such as Blakiston's owl and white-tailed eagle are also distributed, and large mammals such as brown bears and sika deer also inhabit at a high density that is incomparable to other areas.
I saw wild sika deer twice on a day trip to Shiretoko.
Reason XNUMX: The protection management system is amazing
Shiretoko realizes both human use and nature conservation.
Organizations such as the "Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Area Science Committee," "Shiretoko National Park Utilization Optimization Study Council," and "Shiretoko Ecotourism Promotion Council" manage from a scientific perspective. (Don't think that you don't understand the difference in organization)
The management system was highly evaluated, and it helped to register it as a World Heritage Site.
Certainly, you need to take a lecture to enter Shiretoko Goko, and there are not many tourist destinations in the world.
Oshinkoshin Falls
Let's take a look at the sightseeing spots in Shiretoko.
The first is Oshinkoshin Falls, which you will pass first.
Oshinkoshin Waterfall is a branch waterfall with a head of 50m (a waterfall with a branched flow) and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls in Japan".
You can go up the stairs to the middle of the waterfall.
It is quite powerful because you can see it nearby.
There is a commentary in the guidebook that "a waterfall that branches into two", but it seems that there are just three.
The waterfall on the far left is quite weak, though.
Godzilla rock
If you go about 7km from Oshinkoshin Falls, you will see Godzilla Rock.
I think it's a little overwhelming, but it's Godzilla.
If you look at it from the wrong angle, it will look like just a rock, so be careful.
Shiretoko Five Lakes
It is "Shiretoko Goko" which should be called the main sightseeing in Shiretoko.
Nature remains as it is, and many sika deer, squirrels, and brown bears live there.
3 courses
There are three courses, and if you want to walk on the promenade on the ground, you need to take a lecture such as precautions.
It's quite muddy after it rains, so go hiking in the mountains. (Long sleeves, long pants, outdoor shoes, insect repellent)
If a brown bear appears on the ground course, it will be closed until safety is confirmed.
Roads like wooden decks (elevated wooden paths) are originally designed to prevent brown bears from coming, so you can always go there.
Five Lakes
Let's take a walk.
Since it is named "Goko", there are 5 lakes, XNUMX to XNUMX lakes.
The trees are reflected on the surface of the water and are beautiful.
Four lakes
The primeval forest continues.
The tree may have horn-sharpened marks of sika deer and claw marks of brown bears, so proceed carefully.
I couldn't find it.
Three Lakes
Next is Miho.
eh?Can't you tell the difference between the lakes?
Me too.
Why Shiretoko Goko is for hiking lovers
Here is one note about Shiretoko.
Shiretoko Goko is originally a place for people who like hiking.
Remember, the main reason Shiretoko was registered as a World Heritage Site is the "rich ecosystem", so the scenery is not particularly good.
To put it better, it is "untouched nature", and to put it worse, it is "just a lake".
(Actually, until the 1970s, it was really just a lake, not a tourist destination)
Mountain roads are also fairly normal.
If you are not familiar with plants, I think you should have applied for a local guide.
List of registered leaders of Shiretoko Goko(There is a "reservation page" at the bottom)
A local guide is required from May to July (brown bear activity period), but other periods are optional.
Two lakes
Let's take a second look and continue.
Still, the mountains reflected in the lake are beautiful.
It's a pity that it was a little cloudy.
One lake
This is the last lake.
It will take about 90 minutes to go around.
On the way back, take the next elevated boardwalk.
Elevated boardwalk
It is a safe and barrier-free elevated boardwalk.
There is an electric fence on the scaffolding, so even if a brown bear appears, you cannot climb the wooden path.
This elevated boardwalk course is free and does not require a lecture.
During the winter (December-March), the ground course is closed, but this elevated boardwalk is open all year round.
Shiretoko Nature Center
The Shiretoko Nature Center is about 10 km from the Shiretoko Goko Lakes.
There are shops and a food court, and there are menus that are typical of Hokkaido, so stop by.
There is also a promenade to the famous "Furepe Falls".
Venison burger
I will have the venison burger that I noticed first.
Isn't the local burger in a tourist spot cheap at 300 yen?
The meat was tender and the taste was a little lighter than beef, but it is just right for Kansai people who like light taste.
Soft serve ice cream with lingonberry flavor
I don't know what "Kokemomo" is, but I will order it for the time being.
When I try to eat it, it has a berry-based sweet and sour taste.
Lingonberry (moss peach) is a member of cranberries and is resistant to cold and can withstand -40 ℃.
It grows naturally in Hokkaido as well.
Exhibition about trees
There is an exhibition about trees in the facility.
Such exhibits tend to be just pictorial books, but the staff here are a bit different.
The plants are explained with familiar illustrations.
I love this kind of ingenuity.
Many other trees were introduced.
Promenade to "Furepe Falls"
Furepe Falls is 1km one way, so you can make a round trip in 40 minutes.
On the way, an unusual number of swallows (probably) were flying around.
Swallow video
It's a little hard to see, but all the black dots are swallows.
Encounter with Yezo deer
Towards the end, I also met a wild sika deer.
I will run on the slope with a great angle.
The left is a cliff, so I was a little worried if I could slip and fall.
Flepe Waterfall
It is a quietly flowing Furepe Falls.
Please wait for a while to think "What is this? Isn't the amount of water too small?"
This waterfall is a very rare waterfall where groundwater flows directly from the bedrock.
There are no rivers or lakes around, so it looks like water is gushing out of the ground.
Although the amount of water is small, it is also called "maiden's tears" because of its mystery.
Access
It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes by bus from the nearest station, Shiretoko Shari Station, to the farthest Shiretoko Goko Lake.
However, the bus is at the level of one every 1 to 2 hours, so I can't recommend it very much.
(I managed to go around by combining a regular tour bus)
Bus Information: Abashiri Bus Official Website
If you want to go around comfortably with two or more people, I think that a sightseeing taxi is one of the options.
It's about an hour from Abashiri, so you can go on a day trip normally.
Finally
Shiretoko is a World Heritage Site, but if you expect the world's highest level of spectacular scenery, you may be overwhelmed.
Let's enjoy nature while keeping in mind how it became a World Heritage Site.
Again, if you are not familiar with plants, we recommend booking a local guide.
List of registered leaders of Shiretoko Goko(There is a "reservation page" at the bottom)