2025 Shiretoko Peninsula Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

#getgoing2025 Stayed there in a Japanese style room in the east wing for two nights. The room is a bit old and wear, but basically clean and tidy. The hotel located in a small hill so that you can enjoy stunning view of the sea and sunset. Free parking is available and there are plenty of parking spaces. It is about 30 mins drive to the Shiretoko five lakes, very convenient for sightseeing. Dining is impressive! Both breakfast and dinner are buffets with a great variety of choices! Fresh sashimi, sushi, crabs, hot plates in japanese and western style, dessert (e.g. ice-cream, crepes, cakes), free drinks (e.g. coffee, tea, freshly made smoothie)! The quality of food is very good. Staff are generally very helpful with smile on their faces. The restaurant serving breakfast is newly renovated, with beautiful view of the sea. Onsen (Hot spring) is also amazing! There are lots of different style onsen/hot water pools, the bathroom is incredibly large and bright and there is no problem of overcrowding. Front desk staff are very helpful, although most of them can't speak fluent English, they endeavour to provide assistance to the guests. All in all, highly recommended hotel.

Shiretoko Peninsula, known as the "end of the earth" in Japan, is one of the most pristine and magnificent natural secrets in Hokkaido, Japan; It is located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, protruding into the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. It was listed as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO (2005) for its rich ecosystem and pristine natural landscape; In winter, Shiretoko is covered with thick white snow and drift ice, showing a magnificent landscape like a snow wonderland. The charm of Shiretoko in winter 1. Drift ice spectacle (drift ice) Every winter (January to March), drift ice from the Amur River in Russia drifts along the Sea of ​​Okhotsk to the coast of Shiretoko, forming a spectacular **"drift ice world"**. Visitors can participate in the following experiences: • Walking on drifting ice: Put on a special dry diving suit, walk on the frozen sea surface, and feel the shock of "walking on ice". • Drift ice sightseeing boat: Take an icebreaker to get close to the floating ice on the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, and you can also see wild animals such as seals on the way. 2. The beautiful snowy scenery of Shiretoko Five Lakes The Shiretoko Five Lakes are covered with snow in winter, showing a pure and flawless snowy scenery, which is suitable for snowshoeing. From here you can also overlook the Shiretoko Mountains and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the mountains and the sea. 3. The last secret place for wild animals In winter, Shiretoko is home to many wild animals, especially: •Hokkaido brown bears (although they hibernate, they can be seen in other seasons) •White-tailed sea eagles and Steller's sea eagles (can be seen in winter, living on drift ice) •Foxes and deer move around in the snow, forming a vivid natural picture. 4. Shiretoko Onsen – A winter healing resort Shiretoko has many natural hot springs, such as **"Misaki-no-Yu"**. Soaking in a hot spring surrounded by snow is an ultimate enjoyment. Some open-air baths overlook the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, and if you’re lucky you can even see the magnificent sight of drift ice. 5. Winter night sky – a stargazing destination Shiretoko is far away from urban light pollution. In winter nights, you can see the vast starry sky, which, combined with the reflection of the snow, presents a beautiful night view. Occasionally, you can also see the aurora. Travel Tips •Best time to travel: January to March, when the drift ice season is at its most spectacular. • Transportation: In winter, you can take a bus from Sapporo or Memanbetsu Airport to Shiretoko, or rent a car and drive yourself (be careful when driving in snow). •Warm gear: Shiretoko is extremely cold in winter, with temperatures often dropping to -20°C, so you will need to prepare windproof and cold-proof clothing. •Recommended accommodations: Shiretoko Shari Town and Utoro Onsen area, where there are hot spring ryokans and snow view hotels. The winter in Shiretoko is known as "Japan's last natural secret place" and is a place where people can experience the magnificence and purity of nature firsthand.

📍🇯🇵Shiretoko, Hokkaido Shiretoko, a World Heritage Site You can see drift ice from many angles, but I like the view from the cliffs while snowshoeing in Shiretoko the most The drift ice drifts around in the ocean and is cute like a patchwork It's amazing to think that something this big moves every day And the view you see every day is unique depending on the wind direction, weather, and light It's precious to think that you'll never see the same view twice On the way, you can see the pure white Shiretoko mountain range and traces of brown bears climbing trees It makes you feel like you're in nature #DomesticTrip #Shiretoko #Hokkaido #DriftIce

#thingstodo Between the months of December and February, you can set off on a tour of Shiretoko National Park to look for the most iconic winter creatures of the region. Through binoculars and telescopes, you can enjoy the majestic sight of the Steller's sea eagle or white-tailed eagle as they search for prey or dive into the sea. Some of these eagles measure an unforgettable one meter in length or two meters by wingspan. You may also encounter other creatures including the Ezo deer, Ezo red fox, and seals on the drift ice.