Shiretoko Five Lakes

What to know

The Shiretoko Five Lakes (知床五湖, Shiretoko Goko) are five small lakes formed long ago by the eruption of nearby Mount Io and fed by underground springs. Resembling the imprint of a god's five fingers, the lakes offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and wilderness, providing an easy way to experience Shiretoko's unspoiled nature.

An 800-meter-long elevated wooden boardwalk leads from the parking lot to the first lake, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the lake, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the surrounding mountains without damaging the fragile ecosystem. The boardwalk is free, wheelchair accessible, and open from mid-April to mid-November.

Beyond the boardwalk, three kilometers of regular nature trails wind around the picturesque five lakes, taking about 90 minutes to walk. Due to high visitor numbers, access to the nature trails is regulated as follows:

May 10 to July 31: During the peak of bear activity from May to July, access to the nature trails is only possible with a licensed, Japanese-speaking nature guide. Tours depart every 10 minutes, and advance reservations via the park's English website are recommended. Short tours last about 105 minutes and cost 4000 yen, while 3-hour tours cost 6000 yen or more, depending on the guide.

From park opening to May 9 and from August 1 to park closure: The nature trails can be walked individually without guides, but there is a short lecture, an admission fee of 450 yen per person, and a limit on the number of hikers. Two one-way hiking courses are available: a three-kilometer (90-minute) course to all five lakes and a 1.6-kilometer (40-minute) course to the first and second lakes. Note that some or all trails may close if bears are sighted.

The road to the Shiretoko Five Lakes is closed in winter from late November to late April.