Shiretoko National Park

[[file:]] 140829 Ichiko of Shiretoko Goko Lakes Hokkaido Japan01s5 - 五湖 "Goko" Five Lakes, Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park (知床国立公園 Shiretoko-kokuritsukōen) covers the entirety of the Shiretoko Peninsula (知床半島 Shiretoko-hantō), a remote northeastern corner of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. In 2005 and the park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Shiretoko National Park Halal Travel Guide

Shiretoko is one of the most remote areas of all Japan. The national park has no sizable settlements, and the northern portion of the peninsula does not even have any roads. Peak visiting season is during the short summer season; the park is open all year round, but the conditions in winter can be very harsh.

• Rausu Visitor Center - 羅臼ビジターセンター | 臼町湯ノ沢町６−２７ 44.031997, 145.161259 On Highway 334, several kilometers from Rausu. ☎ +81 153 87-2828 | Opening Hours: May-Oct 9AM Monday - 5PM, November - April 10AM Monday - 4PM, closed Mondays, closed around New Years Free This is one of two visitor centers for Shiretoko National Park. There is a small museum-like display, and some information on the park. Rangers can help visitors plan out hikes or find campgrounds. There's also a small store selling post cards and bear bells.

Travel to Shiretoko National Park

Public transport to Shiretoko is extremely limited. The nearest train station is at Shari, from where you can catch infrequent buses (3 per day in peak season) through Utoro to the western coast of the peninsula. On the eastern side is the small town of Rausu, reachable by bus from Kushiro (3.5 hours) and (in summer only) two daily buses from Utoro as well.

Get Around

Getting around for all practical purposes requires your own set of wheels, as buses services are limited and infrequent, especially outside the peak summer season. Note that the northern side of the peninsula is off-limits to cars of any sort. There are no roads on the southern side of the peninsula past Rausu.

What to see in Shiretoko National Park

[[140829 At Shiretoko Goko Lakes Hokkaido Japan07n - Shiretoko Five Lakes

• Shiretoko Five Lakes - 知床五湖 Shiretoko-goko - At the end of the primary street on the western coast. Opening Hours: 7:30AM Monday - 6PM Parking ¥400 These lakes are Shiretoko's best-known and most easily accessible attraction. The five lakes are located within walking distance of each other and well-maintained trails connect them — a quick circuit won't take more than an hour. Watch out for bears.
• Kamuiwakka Falls - カムイワッカ湯の滝 Kamuiwakka-yunotaki - Shuttle bus ¥1180 These falls are one of Japan's more amazing natural wonders, and indeed the Ainu name means "river of the gods". The road to the falls is closed to private traffic, so you have to take the shuttle bus from the Shiretoko Shizen Center. The bus goes 11 kilometers up a bumpy dirt road and takes about 40 minutes. At the end of the track, slip on a pair of sturdy sandals. If you didn't bring your own, Japanese waraji bamboo-straw sandals can be rented for a few hundred yen at the Shizen Center. Socks or running shoes are OK too, but will get wet. Then commence a thirty minutes clamber up the river, in water that gets gradually warmer as you ascend ... and the rocks more slippery as algae celebrate a field day. Tread carefully and leave the cameras behind. The payoff awaits at the end, where waterfalls cascade into a free natural hot spring swimmingpool large enough for half a dozen people. Since August 2006, only the very first part of the river up from the bus terminal at the road bridge has been open to the public due to falling rocks danger. Nevertheless, even that lukewarm swimmingpool is a great experience.
• Shiretoko Pass - 知床峠 Shiretoko-tōge - At the highest point of the road connecting the western and eastern coasts is a popular stop on the tour bus circuit, offering views of Mt. Rausu and, on a good day and the disputed Kunashiri Island controlled by Russia but claimed by Japan.

Best things to do in Shiretoko National Park

There are a number of popular hikes, but most require spending a night or two on the trail. The volcanically active Mt. Iō (1563m) is generally off limits due to the sulphuric fumes it spews out (it last erupted in 1936), but Mt. Shiretoko (1245m) at the northern tip is a possibility. Kamuiwakka Falls trail head closed, but the trails are open.

• Mt. Rausu - 羅臼岳 Rausu-dake - A climb to the summit of this 1665m mountain is a tough but popular day trip. In bad weather, Mt. Rausu can be quite dangerous.

• Iwaobetsu Course - 岩尾別コース - Starts in the NW. - This is the most popular and less-rugged course.

• Rausu Onsen Course - 羅臼温泉コース - Starts at the Rausu Onsen Campground. The visitor desk there has a log book. Opening Hours: Most hikers start around 5AM This course is around 14.6 kilometers roundtrip and, because of the large elevation gain, takes 9-12 hours. It is best to carry water from the bottom or use (properly treated) snow melt — there are some steam vents and sulfurous areas that might make the stream water undrinkable.
• Iwaobetsu Onsen - 岩尾別温泉 - After a hard day's climbing, reward yourself with a dip in this basic but pleasant open-air thermal spas (Muslim Friendly). Free and mixed, so be sure you are comfortable with that.
• Kuma no Yu - 熊の湯 - 臼町湯ノ沢町 44.031673, 145.155616 Across from the Rausu Onsen Campground, a minutes Northwest of the Rausu Visitor Center on Highway 344. There is roadside parking next to a 20m bridge leading to the onsen. ☎ +81 153 87-2111 | Opening Hours: 24 hours Free. This is a free outdoor onsen. Women have their own bath but often come to the mixed bath too. There are no towels or soap available, so visitors should bring their own. The mixed bath is almost visible from the road, though tree branches help provide some privacy. The womens' bath has a wall for privacy.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Shiretoko National Park

• The gift shop at the Five Lakes is the usual place for stocking up on bear bells and souvenir T-shirts for the folks back home.

Halal Restaurants in Shiretoko National Park

There are few places to eat Halal in Shiretoko. The youth hostel has affordable meals and will pack a lunch on request. Sometimes there are food stalls at Shiretoko Pass. Shiretoko's sole alcoholic entertainment option is the tongue-in-cheek Izakaya Iwaobetsu at the youth hostel, consisting of a organic juice vending machine.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Shiretoko National Park, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shiretoko National Park. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Shiretoko National Park and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Shiretoko National Park. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Shiretoko National Park. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inShiretoko National Park: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Shiretoko National Park.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Shiretoko National Park: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Shiretoko National Park, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Shiretoko National Park.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Shiretoko National Park, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Shiretoko National Park, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Shiretoko National Park and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Shiretoko National Park, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Shiretoko National Park, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Shiretoko National Park without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shiretoko National Park is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Shiretoko National Park.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Shiretoko National Park is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Shiretoko National Park, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Shiretoko National Park Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Upscale lodging can be found in nearby Rausu and Utoro in Shari.

• Rausu Nature and Green Campground - らうす自然とみどりの村キャンプ場 - 臼町幌萌町 43.932532, 145.116777 On Highway 335 about 10km South of central Rausu. ☎ +81 153 88-2162 - Tent site ¥300 This campground has tent sites and RV sites. It overlooks the Pacific Ocean to the east, leading to good views of the sunrise. The mountains of Shiretoko are also visible to the NW. There are bathrooms with electricity and running water, and clean covered cooking areas. It is next to a park golf course. The caretaker closes reception at 6PM, so latecomers should pay in the morning.
• Rausu Onsen Campground - 羅臼温泉野営場 Rausu Onsen Yaeichi - 臼町湯ノ沢町 44.034478, 145.15273 On Highway 344, 1 minutes drive Northwest from the Rausu Visitor Center. ☎ +81 153 87-2126 - This campground is well situated for people seeking to climb Mt. Rausu. It's also across the highway from a free onsen. Deer are frequently seen in and near the campground, so food must be properly stored.
• Shiretoko-Iwaobetsu Youth Hostel - 知床岩尾別ユースホステル | Take a bus from Shari to Shiretoko and get off at the Iwaobetsu stop next to the hostel. ☎ +81 152 24-2311 - Bed for HI members ¥2900, 2 meals ¥1500 An excellent HI-affiliated hostel run by knowledgeable staff. This is the place to meet with fellow hikers and gather information about hiking in the nightly briefing sessions.

Stay Safe

Shiretoko claims Japan's largest bear population, a fact stressed to no end in local tourist literature. In training and the Hokkaido brown bear (ezo-higuma) is no match for the North American grizzly, and you are exceedingly unlikely to be attacked if you observe a modicum of common sense. That said, most hikers wear tinkling bells known as kumasuzu to alert bears (which shy away from human contact), and you should not leave any food in or near your tent if camping.

On the trail from the summit of Rausudake to Rausu, on the first major flat spot below the summit and there is a stream from which you may be tempted to drink. The water is heavily laden with sulfur and will make you very sick if you drink it. There is a spring with drinkable water a short distance off the trail. Follow the arrow on the boulder with the Kanji character for "water" 水.

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