Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

An area where you can feel the mystery of nature throughout the four seasons.

In this area, forests, sea and lakes are in harmony, and you can encounter plants and animals living in pristine nature. A wide variety of activities are available, allowing visitors to enjoy a diverse Shiretoko experience. There are walks around the Shiretoko Five Lakes and cruises to view the majesty of the Shiretoko Peninsula from the sea. There are also cruises where you can see wild whales, orcas, and other rare animals. Nature experiences led by guides who know the area well are also popular.

In Abashiri and Monbetsu, flowers bloom from summer to fall. Seasonal flowers such as lilium pensylvanicum and bright red coral grass can be seen in the wild flower gardens, which are natural flower gardens. In winter, drift ice moving south from Siberia covers the Sea of Okhotsk. This is a spectacular view that can only be seen here in Japan. The scale of the scenery is beyond imagination, and it is a spectacular winter view that should be seen at least once in a lifetime. Another attraction of this area facing the Sea of Okhotsk is that fresh seafood can be enjoyed all year round.

This is what the World Natural Heritage Site, "Shiretoko," is about

Shiretoko is a peninsula with a range of mountains more than 1,000 meters high in the center of the peninsula, and still retains a pristine wilderness. The high-quality nutrients from the drift ice enrich the sea and nurture an ecosystem that extends from the sea to the land. On land, there are brown bears and Ezo sika deer; in the sea, whales and orcas. White-tailed eagles soar in the sky, and you can still see wild animals living in their natural habitat.

The grandeur of nature can be experienced in a variety of ways. If this is your first visit, a walk around the Shiretoko Five Lakes or a cruise on the Shiretoko Peninsula is recommended. The Shiretoko Five Lakes, with the Shiretoko mountain range reflected in the clear blue surface of the lakes, is one of the eight scenic views of Shiretoko. The Shiretoko eight scenic views also include the Kamuiwakka Hot Falls and the Shiretoko Pass, which can be visited by trekking or on a cruise. This is the standard way to enjoy Shiretoko. Shiretoko Peninsula cruises sail along the coastline to the tip of the Shiretoko Peninsula, which cannot be reached by land. You can enjoy spectacular views of the Shiretoko mountain range, rugged sea cliffs, and majestic waterfalls cascading down from rock walls into the Sea of Okhotsk. You can also enjoy watching wild brown bears from the sea.

Nature cruises are also popular in Rausu, on the eastern side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. In summer, visitors can go whale watching, and in winter, Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed sea eagles can be seen. You can see orcas, whales, dolphins, and a wide variety of other wild animals.

You can also taste the delicacies of the Sea of Okhotsk. You can enjoy salmon and other local fish caught in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of Shiretoko.

The endless expanse of land and magnificent nature make it the best driving spot

The Tokachi Plain is a vast patchwork of farmland and green fields. As Japan's leading food supply base, it is one of the nation's most productive upland cropping regions, where agriculture and livestock farming are thriving.

Tokachi is ideal for driving. The pastures spread out like a sea of green, and the beautiful scenery continues. Taushubetsu River Bridge is a fantastic concrete bridge that only appears during the dry season. At the Naitai Highland Farm, visitors can watch grazing cows through large glass windows. There is also the Hokkaido Garden Path, a 250-km road connecting Asahikawa and Tokachi, dotted with eight gardens. Visitors can enjoy viewing gardens full of individuality that make the most of Hokkaido's climate and topography. It is recommended to base your sightseeing in this area in Obihiro, which is located almost in the center of the Tokachi Plain.

Sweets, pork bowls, farmhouse restaurants... Enjoy gourmet foods of Tokachi

Blessed with rich land, Tokachi is also rich in food ingredients. Visitors can enjoy the food grown by farmers while being healed by the idyllic Tokachi scenery. Cheeses made with fresh milk from Tokachi's dairy farms and Tokachi ingredients make for a superb meal. Sweets made with wheat and other local ingredients are also an attraction. Pork bowl is a specialty of Obihiro, where sweet and spicy pork and white rice go together perfectly. There are also many farm restaurants run by farmers and ranchers, where visitors can enjoy gourmet foods that take advantage of the tranquil scenery and fresh ingredients, based on the concept of "local production for local consumption."

There are also tours where you can visit the fields where the crops are actually grown while listening to the guide's explanation. Visitors can also enjoy light meals made with produce from the fields. This is an experience unique to Tokachi, where dairy farming and agriculture thrive.

Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo - Three major lakes in eastern Hokkaido that are rich in nature

The eastern Hokkaido area is dotted with lakes of various sizes. Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo are the three lakes that especially attract many tourists.

From the observatory, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the lakes. There are many ways to enjoy the lakes, including activities, hot springs, and sightseeing boats.

From June to October, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo offer an early morning sea of clouds. From the observatory, you can look down at the fog that accumulates at the bottom of the caldera and enjoy the sea of clouds from various angles.

Kushiro Shitsugen, a treasure house of nature

Kushiro Shitsugen is the largest marshland in Japan. It was designated as Japan's first Ramsar Convention-listed wetland. It is a valuable habitat for many species of wildlife, including the red-crowned crane, which is designated as a special natural monument.

The scenery varies with the seasons, with June and July being the best months for plant watching and trekking, when the area is lush with flowers and grasses. In autumn, the whole area turns golden. Winter brings beautiful snowy landscapes and the sight of red-crowned cranes.

Outdoor activities can also be enjoyed throughout the four seasons. Canoeing is a great way to enjoy a relaxing river cruise in the great outdoors, and if you are lucky, you may see wild animals such as red-crowned cranes and Ezo sika deer. In winter, winter canoeing and ice trekking in the snowy landscape are popular. Winter outdoor activities such as red-crowned crane watching and wakasagi (smelt) fishing are also available.

There are five observatories in Kushiro Shitsugen, each offering a different panoramic view of the marshland landscape. There is a well-maintained boardwalk where visitors can observe the marshland up close.

From spring to fall, the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train (marshland observation train) runs through Kushiro Shitsugen. It is recommended to enjoy the charm of the marshland at a leisurely pace. You can enjoy the magnificent view from the large windows, and when the train reaches a view point, it will slow down so you can have a better look.

■ Click here for a list of spots in Shiretoko, Abashiri, and Monbetsu.

■ Click here for a list of spots in Tokachi and Obihiro.

■ Click here for a list of spots in  Kushiro, Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Nemuro.

■ Click here for "Central Hokkaido Area Guide”

■ Click here for "Southern Hokkaido Area Guide"

■ Click here for "Northern Hokkaido Area Guide"