Shiretoko Peninsula is located on the north-eastern side of Hokkaido and sports one of the biggest and untouched National Park in Japan. Filled with lush native Hokkaido wildlife, for nature lovers, or just beautiful things lovers, making a day trip to the area is a must. In this article we’ll look at the park and places to stay at in the area.
Surround Yourself in Shiretoko National Park
With unparalleled beauty, the Shiretoko National Park is a sight to behold. Designated as a world heritage site in 2005, you can truly discover the wonder that is planet earth from the unspoiled nature. The ecosystem of Shiretoko is one of the most complex in the world. With both the marine and land-based ecosystems working together to support each other, the National Park is living proof that life finds a way.
This amazing ecosystem is largely thanks to its location. Due to the formation of sea ice in the Sea of Okhotsk at one of the lowest latitudes in the northern hemisphere, every year there is a fresh supply of plankton to feed the fish of the area, which in turn feed the land based animals. The protected area is upwards of 71,000 hectares, with both sea and land protected equally.
Visiting the Shiretoko National Park isn’t a walk in the park. Roads only go up three quarters of the peninsula, and to see the tip, you must go by boat. If you visit in the winter time, going by boat may cause you to crash into drift ice, another attraction Shiretoko is famous for. If you do walk through the park on any of its walking trails, you might come across Kamuiwakka Falls, a hot springs waterfall.
The best time to visit the part is during the summer time, where you can freely walk through at your own pace and enjoy the cool summer breeze. The park is open during winter, but due to the lack of settlements and services the conditions can get very harsh, or even deadly. You can get to the park via the Chuo Bus from Sapporo Station, it goes to the peninsula twice a day, making for a great day trip.
Put Up Your Feet in A Shiretoko Hotel
If you’d rather relax than travel all the way back to Sapporo, staying in a Shiretoko hotel is the way to go. Because of the large area of Shiretoko National Park, you wouldn’t be able to see the entire place in one day, so hunkering down for the night at a nearby hotel would be in your best interest. Luckily there’s a small town outside the main entrance of the park.
Where to Stay on the Shiretoko Peninsula?
On the Shiretoko peninsula, there is a breath of places to stay in and put up your feet after a long day of walking. For the most affordable place to stay in Shiretoko, look no further than Oyado Kiraku near the center of the town. At 9,000 yen per night, this family run in offers up a breakfast spread for any traveler, or you could visit the convenience store down the road.
The Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi
On the other side of the scale, the Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi is a grand resort in the small town. The resort has both Japanese and Western style rooms that are spacious and with views of the ocean. You can also get views of the sea from the two hot spring baths in the building. One of the baths is open-air, made with local rocks, and the other is an enclosed hot spring with a huge winter to the outside with the majestic view.
Spot information
- Spot name: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi
- Street address: 172 Utorohigashi, Shari, Shari District, Hokkaido 099-4355
- Access: Take the bus into the Utoro Onsen terminal, then walk 5 minutes to reach the resort
The Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
Only a kilometer away from the sea, the Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel is another wonderful place to stay in the township. Not only does the hotel have a hot spring, but a spa to relax in and a pool to splash around.
There are 3 main wings of the place, the East Wing, full of Japanese style rooms, the West Wing, which combines styles from east and west, and the Shizen Wing, with largest lavish spaces in both a Japanese and Western style, or both at once. On offer every morning is a breakfast buffet with tables that overlook the Sea of Okhotsk.
Spot information
- Spot name: Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
- Street address: 306 Utorokagawa, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido 099-4351
- Access: About 10 minutes by a free shuttle bus from Utoro Onsen terminal with the hotel prior to your arrival
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