Four Itchy Feet

September 11, 2025. Shiretoko, Japan.

Today we drove from Sounkyo to Shiretoko. Our 3.5-hour drive took us through the mountains before descending to the Sea of Okhotsk. The journey took us through thousands upon thousands of acres of farmland, with the fields bustling with activity as farmers harvested their crops.

Shiretoko, meaning “the end of the Earth” in the indigenous Ainu language, is a remote and pristine peninsula located on the northeastern tip of Hokkaido, Japan. It is recognized as one of the country’s most spectacular and unspoiled ecosystems. In 2005, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the unique interaction between its marine and terrestrial ecosystems, which are heavily influenced by the formation of seasonal sea ice. This sea ice, the southernmost in the Northern Hemisphere, supports a rich food chain that in turn sustains the abundant wildlife on land.

The peninsula is home to a wide variety of animals, including one of Japan’s largest populations of brown bears, as well as deer, foxes, and numerous bird species like Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles. The surrounding waters are a habitat for marine mammals such as whales and seals.

Much of the peninsula is inaccessible by road, with its northern tip only reachable by boat or multi-day treks. The landscape features dramatic cliffs, active volcanoes, scenic waterfalls, and a series of five pristine lakes known as the Shiretoko Goko Lakes.

We will be staying at the Shiretoko Hotel, a well-appointed hotel/onsen that offers great accommodations, with meals included in the price of our stay. We encourage you to start your journey of the peninsula at the World Heritage Center. There is a wealth of information and maps available that will help you plan your visit. Stay tuned for details of our adventures in Shiretoko.