Shiretoko Five Lakes

Experience Shiretoko by walking the wooden boardwalk leading to the first lake and the trails throughout the five lakes

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The expansive landscape of the World Natural Heritage Site, Shiretoko, can be seen at Shiretoko Five Lakes'. It is also the natural habitat of the brown bear, and a tourist spot where nature is untouched.
Business Hours
Saturday ( 7:30 AM ~ 6:30 PM )
Sunday ( 7:30 AM ~ 6:30 PM )
Weekdays ( 7:30 AM ~ 6:30 PM )

Wooden boardwalk: 7:30am-6:30pm(refer to the homepage for any changes due to the season) Nature trails: 7:30am-6:30pm [close] Wooden boardwalk: can be used at any time during the opening period Nature trails: reservations are required from May 10th to October 20th From late January to March, the boardwalk is closed, but the Shiretoko Eco Tour is in operation (fee required, limited to 10 people/day).
Address
知床五湖, Hokkaido
Phone
(0152) 24-3323

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About

Take 2 ways to walk around the area

Shiretoko Five Lakes is surrounded by a primeval forest and the Shiretoko Mountains. Within this region of lush flora and fauna, you can experience the grandness of nature here. There are 2 ways to navigate through Shiretoko Five Lakes. First, there is the wooden boardwalk course which has a total length of 800m and goes as far as the shores of one of the lakes. The boardwalk ranges from 2 to 5 meters in height and there is an electric fence with 7000 volts of current running around it so in the unlikely event of any brown bear encounters, people can still walk securely. Also, there are 2 observation points on the boardwalk from where you can see the Okhotsk Sea in the distance and the wonderful view of the lake and the reflection of the Shiretoko Mountains. You can also encounter wild animals such as deer in the area. The other course involves the nature trails. You can take a walk once you get a lecture at the Shiretoko Five Lakes Field House. At the carefully protected primeval forest in Shiretoko, you can come upon a myriad of plants and animals. However, during the peak season of brown bear activity, the trails can only be traversed with a limited number of people following a licensed guide. Please follow the rules to ensure that this untouched nature is continued to be protected.

How to enjoy Shiretoko Five Lakes in the winter

During winter, the boardwalk is closed, but there are opportunities to go to the wetlands which aren’t usually accessible in the summer. Shiretoko in the harsh winter provides a valuable experience to see the animals that can withstand the cold and the quiet forest. At this time, there are also tours which you can enjoy Shiretoko in winter. From being able to walk on top of the lakes to viewing the icebergs floating on top of the Okhotsk Sea, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance (reservations/fee required).

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