What to know
Furepe Waterfall (フレペの滝, Furepe-no-taki) cascades down a steep cliff into the Sea of Okhotsk along the dramatic western coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula. It is fed by groundwater that emerges at the very top of the falls, so there is no visible river leading to it.
A pleasant 20-minute walk from the Shiretoko Nature Center brings you to the waterfall. The nature center offers information and exhibits about the national park, plus a restaurant and souvenir shop. The trail winds through forest and grassland to an observation deck with views down onto the falls.
Furepe Waterfall can also be seen from sightseeing boat tours departing from Utoro.
From Utoro, the Shiretoko Nature Center is about five kilometers down the peninsula, near the junction where roads split toward Shiretoko Pass and the Shiretoko Five Lakes.
Shari Bus runs infrequent buses from JR Shiretoko Shari Station via Utoro to the Shiretoko Nature Center (70 minutes, 2100 yen one way). The bus from Utoro takes 10 minutes and costs 500 yen one way. No bus service operates in winter (November to late April) except during drift ice season from mid-January to early March.
How to get to and around Shiretoko National Park
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 8:00 to 17:30 (April 20 to October 20)
- Closed
- Wednesdays in December and during the New Year holidays
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Furepe Waterfall
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.