[Shiretoko Pass in Shiretoko Peninsula] Good Viewing Point

Shiretoko Pass

Shiretoko Pass (知床峠) is a popular viewing point at 738 m above sea level between Rausu town and Shari town in Shiretoko Peninsula, and is located around the top of National Route 334 (the common name is Shiretoko Crossing Road (知床横断道路)) connecting Utoro with Rausu, the length of 27 km in total, with some sharp curves. Good views of Kunashiri Island (国後島) and Mt. Rausudake (羅臼岳) can be seen if the weather is fine. The place has sometimes foggy days, and you are lucky if the weather is fine. Observatory decks, a public restroom and a parking lot are built on the site. The parking lot is used for Lake Rausu hikers, too. * It takes 20-30 minutes from here to an entrance of the lake on foot. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. The road is closed to traffic from early November to late April.

Movie of Shiretoko Crossing Road

Lake Rausu

Lake Rausu (羅臼湖) is a freshwater lake at 740 m above sea level in the foot of Mt. Chinishiridake (知西別岳), and the perimeter is about 4 km, and the maximum depth is 2 m, and is the largest lake in the Shiretoko National Park. The lake used to be called a phantom lake because creeping pines growing thickly and a lot of bears had been kept people away. But trails are built at present, and are opened to hikers from June to October, so even beginner hikers can enjoy hiking. Except the Lake Rausu, there are 5 ponds (from Ichi-no-Numa Pond (一の沼) to Go-no-Numa Pond (五の沼)) and Menashi-Boyodai Lookout (目梨望遥台), and various sceneries such as a snow scenery in a spring, a fresh green in a summer and fall foliage in an autumn can be enjoyed. * Unfortunately, a trail to the Ichi-no-Numa Pond is not built, but hikers can see from the Ni-no-Numa Pond (二の沼) to the Go-no-Numa Pond along the trails. Admission free. Read More

In a spring, an opening ceremony for the Shiretoko Crossing Road "Shiretoko Snow Wall Walk (知床雪壁ウォーク)" is held, and visitors can enjoy walking along high snow walls with 3-4 m in height or can enjoy snowboarding and skiing. In a summer, fresh green or a sea of clouds can be enjoyed. In an autumn, fall foliage can be seen. Here is well-known for one of best scenic spots for autumn leaves in Hokkaido, too. The Shiretoko Crossing Road is popular as a drive route. In addition, a lot of hikers or bicycle riders cross a mountain pass. But Beware of bears along the road. If the bears appear on the road, Never get close to them, and never give them foods. If they do not come to afraid of humans, they may attack you or next person, and the bears may be shot to death as a result.

Movie of Appeared Bears on Shiretoko Crossing Road

The distance is around 20 km away from the center of Rausu, and the distance is around 18 km away from the center of Utoro, and a restraunt, a cafe and a convenience store are not built near here. By the way, a nonstop bus, Eagle Liner (イーグルライナー), runs between Sapporo and Utoro.

List of Means of Transportation

Refer to following a company for the highway bus service between the Utoro and the Sapporo. Refer to following the means of the transportation. As for car rental comparison websites, you can compare vehicle rental prices on Tabi-Plaza Rental Car Reservation (旅ぷらざレンタカー予約), Jalan Rental Car (じゃらんレンタカー) and Rakutem Travel Rental Car (楽天トラベルレンタカー).

(Chuo Bus)中央バス	From Sapporo to Utoro	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
(Chuo Bus)中央バス	From Utoro to Sapporo	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Nippon Rent-a-car(ニッポンレンタカー)	Their offices are at Memanbetsu Airport and Nakashibetsu Airport.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Times Car Rental(タイムズカーレンタル)	Their offices are at the Memanbetsu Airport and the Nakashibetsu Airport.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Toyota Rental Lease(トヨタレンタリース)	Their offices are at the Memanbetsu Airport and the Nakashibetsu Airport.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Nissan Rent-a-car(日産レンタカー)	Their offices are at the Memanbetsu Airport and the Nakashibetsu Airport.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Orix Rent-a-car(オリックスレンタカー)	Their offices are at the Memanbetsu Airport and the Nakashibetsu Airport.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Station Rent-a-car(駅レンタカー)	Their offices are at the Memanbetsu Airport and the Nakashibetsu Airport.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Harada Automobile Technical Company(原田自動車工業)	Their office is near Shari Station	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko Tourist(知床ツーリスト)	Their office is near Kiyosato Station	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
With You Inc.(株式会社ウィズ・ユー)	Their offices are near the Shari Station or at the Utoro	HP	Jalan	Rakuten

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park (知床国立公園) at the northeastern edge of Japan main land is a national park between Shari town and Rausu town in the the northeastern part of Hokkaido. Most northern part of Shiretoko Peninsula has been desinged as the national park since 1964, and has also been designed World Natural Heritage Site, one of only 4 world natural heritage sites in Japan, since 2005. In the national park, there are Shiretoko Mountain Range (知床連山) such as Mt. Rausudake (羅臼岳), Mt. Chinishibetsudake (知西別岳), Mt. Iou (硫黄山) and Mt. Shiretokodake (知床岳), and here is a tourist attraction on behalf of Hokkaido containing some hot spring places such as Aidomari Onsen (相泊温泉), Seseki Onsen (瀬石温泉), Rausu Onsen (羅臼温泉) and Iwaobetsu Onsen (岩尾別温泉). The Shiretoko National Park is roughly divided into 2 areas, Shari Area and Rausu Area. The area is about 39,000 ha in total. A deep forest that wild animals such as Brown Bears, Yezo Deers and Blakiston's Hish-owls inhabit, Steep cliffs with about 100 m in height that separet the sea from mountains, the sea that marine life such as Salmons and Whales swim in, and those closely related to each other create great nature views. Because the Shiretoko means "The end of the earth" in Ainu language, I can understand the reason that it is said to be an unexplored region. Read More

Shiretokotoge Observation Deck

The observation decks are on the other side of the road, and the Mt. Rausudake and the Pacific Ocean can be viewed. Even in the summer, it is chilly, so you should wear warm clothes. Here is popular for birdwatching or photos of wildbirds, and some visiotrs take a shot of the bird early in the morning. The wild birds such as Pine Grosbeak, White-tailed Eagle and Red-flanked Bluetail can be watched, and the Pine Grosbeak is popular in particular. In the evening, starry sky is beautiful.

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations around the Shiretoko Pass. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Utoro Onsen

Shiretoko Grand Hotel kitakobushi(知床グランドホテル 北こぶし)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel(知床第一ホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko Prince Kazenamiki(KIKI知床ナチュラルリゾート)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kokumin Shukusha Katurada(国民宿舎 桂田)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Bons Home(ボンズホーム)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Shiretoko(ホテル知床)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel kifu Club Shireotko(ホテル季風クラブ 知床)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko Village(しれとこ村)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Yuhi-no-Ataru-Ie(夕陽のあたる家)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko Pereke(しれとこペレケ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshyuku Ishiyama(知床の宿 民宿いしやま)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko Noble Hotel(知床ノーブルホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minsyuku Shiretokoso(民宿 知床荘)	Only Tel:+81-152-24-2058
Onsen Minshuku Tanpopo(温泉民宿 たんぽぽ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Iruka Hotel(いるかホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Oyado Kiraku(お宿来羅玖)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko HOSTEL Hanare(知床ホステル ハナレ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko National Camping Ground(国設知床野営場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Rausu Onsen

Rausu Daiichi Hotel(らうす第一ホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Mine-no-Yu(ホテル峰の湯)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko National Park Rausu Onsen Campsite(知床国立公園羅臼温泉野営場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Iwaobetsu Onsen

Hotel Chi-no-Hate(ホテル地の涯)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kinoshita Hut(木下小屋)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Rausu

Rausu-no-Yado Marumi(羅臼の宿 まるみ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Sakaeya(ホテル栄屋)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Isaribi(ビジネスホテル漁火)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Pension Rausukl(ペンションラウスクル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Takashimaya Ryokan(高島屋旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Chishimaya Ryokan(千島屋旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Honma(民宿本間)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Nomura(民宿野むら)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Yonemaru(民宿よね丸)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Kannari(民宿かんなり)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Washi-no-Yado(民宿鷲の宿)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Ippukudozo(民宿いっぷくどうぞ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Rider House Okigaruya(ライダーハウス お気軽屋)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Rider House Max(ライダーハウス マックス)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Rausu Automobile Campsite(羅臼オートキャンプ場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Shari

Route-Inn Grantia Shiretoko Shariekimae(ルートイングランティア知床斜里駅前)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shari-Daiichi Hotel(斜里第一ホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shari Central Hotel(斜里セントラルホテル)	HP	Booking	じゃらん	Rakuten
Shari Onsen Yumotokan(斜里温泉 湯元館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Okanmaru(往還丸)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Clione Camp Guest House(クリオネキャンプ場ゲストハウス)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shiretoko Villa Hotel Freeze(知床ヴィラ ホテル フリーズ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Shari Green Onsen(斜里 グリーン温泉)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Ryokan Sakura(旅館さくら)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Kaze-no-Ko(民宿 風の子)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Midorikobo Shari Soyokaze Campsite(みどり工房しゃり そよ風キャンプ場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten