Shiretoko Five Lakes

Shiretoko Five Lakes is a collective name for five small lakes located in the Utoro district of Shari Town, Hokkaido, and is the most accessible major tourist attraction within the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Shiretoko'. The five lakes surrounded by primordial forest are named Lake 1 through Lake 5 respectively, and the image of the Shiretoko Mountain Range reflected on the lake surface is called the 'Mirror of the World Heritage Site' and is a breathtaking sight. As the place where one can most closely experience the pristine nature of the Shiretoko Peninsula, approximately 100,000 tourists visit annually.

There are two routes for exploring Shiretoko Five Lakes. One is the 'Elevated Boardwalk,' approximately 800 meters long, where from the wooden pathway set at a height of 3 to 5 meters above ground, you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake 1, the Okhotsk Sea, and the Shiretoko Mountain Range. Because an electric fence prevents brown bear intrusion, it can be freely used even during bear activity season, and is passable even with wheelchairs and strollers. The round-trip time is approximately 40 minutes, making it the easiest route to fully enjoy the spectacular views of Shiretoko.

The other is the 'Ground-Level Trail' that goes around all five lakes, a serious trekking course of approximately 3 kilometers taking about an hour and a half. As you walk through the primordial forest, you can feel the breath of the forest covered with giant Mizunara and Todomatsu trees, ferns, and moss with all five senses. At the lakeside, you can view the majestic image of the Shiretoko Mountain Range reflected on the water surface up close, and the views especially from Lake 2 to Lake 3 are breathtakingly beautiful. Access conditions on the Ground-Level Trail vary depending on brown bear activity, requiring an authorized guide during the bear activity season from May to July (fee-based, approximately 3,500-5,000 yen), and free exploration is permitted from August to October during the vegetation protection period after attending a lecture.

The area around Shiretoko Five Lakes has an extremely high density of brown bears. It is not uncommon to spot brown bears from the trail, and sometimes you can observe bears foraging by the lake from a safe distance. This is not something to fear, but rather a precious opportunity to experience the way nature exists in Shiretoko where humans and wildlife coexist. On guided tours, you receive detailed explanations about how to read bear signs and about the Shiretoko ecosystem, greatly deepening your understanding of nature.

The changes through the four seasons are also a major attraction of Shiretoko Five Lakes. Shortly after opening in May, the snow-covered Shiretoko Mountain Range is reflected on the lake surface, and the contrast with the fresh new greenery is beautiful. From June to July, encounters with sika deer and red foxes are common, and alpine plants such as rugosa roses and Ezo day-lilies bloom in abundance. August is when the deep green forest is most full of vitality, and forest bathing is particularly effective. From late September through October, autumn foliage reaches its peak, and the mountains reflected in vivid autumn colors on the lake surface are considered the most beautiful sight of the year. In late October before the first snow begins to accumulate, you may encounter the miraculous scene of snow-capped Shiretoko Mountain Range and autumn foliage appearing together.

There are also many spots worth visiting along with Shiretoko Five Lakes. From Shiretoko Pass, you can see Kunashir Island, where you can feel you are at the very edge of Japan. Furepe Falls (Maiden's Tears) is a rare waterfall where groundwater flows directly down from a cliff facing the Okhotsk Sea, reachable by a round-trip hike of approximately 40 minutes. Kamuy-wakka Yuno Falls is a natural open-air hot spring where hot water from Io-yama (Sulfur Mountain) flows down a stream, popular as a limited summer secret experience.

To fully enjoy the charm of the Shiretoko sea, a sightseeing cruise departing from Utoro Port is recommended. On a cruise viewing the dramatic coastal cliffs from the ship, you may encounter brown bears walking along the shore and dolphin pods, experiencing a different side of Shiretoko's nature than you would on land.

Access: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by bus from JR Shiretoko-Shari Station (via Utoro Onsen). Approximately 2 hours by rental car from Memanbetsu Airport. Open from late April to late November (varies depending on snow conditions). Admission is free (Ground-Level Trail lectures are 250 yen for adults). At this place where pristine nature recognized by the world breathes, feel the pulse of the earth with your entire being.