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Before you go
Your trip to Shari.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Shari – Hokkaido about 371 km from Sapporo
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Memanbetsu (MMB) Ozora · 56 km
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Estação Shiretoko-Shari 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Shiretoko-Shari Station is on the Senmo Line, about a 45-minute train ride from Abashiri. Buses connect the station to Utoro in about 50 minutes. Memanbetsu Airport is about 55 km from central Shari; a seasonal bus links the airport directly to Utoro.
How many days
Two days, with one night in Utoro: one day for the Five Lakes and Furepe Falls, another for the coastal boat and the Shiretoko Pass. In winter, one day when the sea ice arrives.
When to go
From June to October, for trails, lakes and boats; the Shiretoko Pass road is generally closed between November and April. From January to March, sea ice often reaches Utoro, on dates that vary. Winter brings snow and intense cold.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
It helps a lot. Without a car, buses link the station and the airport to Utoro, and a local bus runs from Utoro to the visitor center and the Five Lakes in season. In winter, the road beyond Utoro is partly closed, and driving in snow requires experience.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Shari
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Morning
Five Lakes of Shiretoko
Leave Utoro early for the Five Lakes and walk the elevated boardwalk to the first lake or, if there is space, take the ground trail with a guide.
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Afternoon
Furepe Falls
Return to the park visitor center and follow the trail to Furepe Falls, which drops from the top of the cliff straight into the sea.
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Late afternoon
Oronko Rock
In Utoro, climb the steps of Oronko Rock to watch the sunset over the Sea of Okhotsk.
2 days in Shari
Day 1
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Morning
The lakes
Visit the Five Lakes early, when there are fewer people, and stop at the boardwalk viewpoint.
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Afternoon
Furepe and Oronko
Hike the Furepe waterfall trail and end the day atop Oronko rock in Utoro.
Day 2
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Morning
Boat along the coast
Take a sightseeing boat in Utoro to see the waterfalls and the cliffs of the northern coast, where there are no roads.
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Afternoon
Shiretoko Pass
Drive or take a bus up to the Shiretoko Pass, with views of Mount Rausu, and descend to Rausu if weather permits.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Where to stay in Shiretoko — in Shari or in Utoro?
In Utoro, which lies inside the park area, close to the lakes, the visitor center and the port. Shari town, by the station, is about 40 km away and is convenient for those arriving or leaving by train.
How do the boat tours in Utoro work?
They depart from Utoro Port, generally from April to October, and follow the northern coast past waterfalls and cliffs. There are larger boats and smaller launches, with routes of about 1 to 3 hours. They depend on sea conditions.
Can you see bears in Shiretoko?
Sightseeing boats often spot bears along the coast in summer and autumn, but sightings are not guaranteed. On land, the guidance is to avoid any approach.
What to do in Shiretoko in winter?
See the sea ice off Utoro when it arrives, join guided walks on the ice with special clothing, and watch Steller’s sea eagles. Mountain roads and the pass are closed.
Beyond the guide
