Located about a 15-minute drive from Shari Town, this popular driving route extends over approximately 28 km in a straight line, giving the impression of reaching all the way to the sky, hence its name. At the hilltop, there is an observation deck offering breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. On the days of the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, one can witness the spectacular sight of the sunset aligning with the road's extension line. Although standard buses do not travel this road, the Shari Bus's "Shiretoko Roman Fureai-go C Course" uniquely stops here (operating annually from late April to late October). Passengers can enjoy the scenery through the bus windows. Some plans even include souvenirs, so be sure to check this page for more information.

Facing the Sea of Okhotsk, Kitahama Station is famous as the "station closest to drift ice." With the snow-covered Shiretoko Mountain Range as a backdrop, visitors can enjoy nostalgic scenery. This station has been used as a filming location for various movies and TV dramas, attracting tourists from all over Japan. The walls and ceiling of the waiting room are lined with business cards and tickets left by visitors. The "Teishaba Lunch" available at the adjoining café is also incredibly popular. In February, when the drift ice is at its most beautiful, a tour on the Abashiri Bus's "All-in-One Winter Abashiri Bus" is recommended for tourists. This tour allows you to enjoy winter in Abashiri to the fullest with a comprehensive guided tour, including a ride on the drift ice sightseeing icebreaker ship and a visit to the Abashiri Prison Museum, which became famous through anime, along with a luxurious lunch.

Located in the heart of Shari's downtown area, the Northern Alp Museum is dedicated to the mountain literary magazine "Alp," first published in 1958. The museum showcases all volumes from the magazine's inception to its final issue, along with original manuscripts, illustrations, and related materials. Additionally, visitors can explore the reconstructed study of Soichi Kushida, the philosopher and founding editor of the magazine, in the exhibition called "Soichi Kushida's Workspace." This museum is a must-visit spot for literature enthusiasts.

This hotel is conveniently located right in front of JR Shiretoko-Shari Station, making it easily accessible. Although it is a business hotel, guests can enjoy a 100% natural hot spring with water flowing directly from the source. One of its appealing features is the open-air bath. A breakfast buffet is also available in the morning.

Opened in 2023, this hotel is renowned for its sauna that uses Japan's first aromatic palo santo wood. Accommodations range from dormitory-style rooms to entire bungalows, allowing guests to choose according to their preferences. With a stylish and sophisticated interior, it's sure to elevate your travel experience. It's also conveniently located about a 10-minute drive from the Road to Heaven.

Located in downtown Shari, this guesthouse resembles a mountain lodge. The 1st floor houses the café "Nenrin," known for its dishes made with seasonal local ingredients and popular among locals. The ginger pork with Shari's "Takumi Pork - Sachiku Mugi-Ou" is a classic favorite. The bathhouse, known for leaving your skin silky smooth, is fed by a natural hot spring. It offers a budget-friendly option for a comfortable stay.

This restaurant offers fresh local seafood caught in Shari Town and Shiretoko. The highlight is the seafood charcoal grill available during dinner time. Sushi and seasonal menu items require reservations made at least two days in advance, so checking the website is recommended.

A restaurant boasting a 100-year history, beloved by locals. Its featured dishes include the pork chop (a Western-style dish with sautéed pork seasoned with ketchup) that has been featured on TV, and miso ramen made with curly thin noodles. With tatami seating available, families with small children can enjoy a relaxed meal.

Managed by a local couple, this restaurant offers a variety of creative dishes that can be enjoyed alongside drinks. Please note that smoking is allowed, so guests under 20 are not permitted to enter.

A major sightseeing spot, the Shiretoko Five Lakes are spread out with the Shiretoko Mountain Range in the background. Nestled quietly within a primeval forest, this picturesque location offers the opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the sea, mountains, forests, and lakes all at once. It is also home to various wildlife, providing a chance to observe traces of animal life up close. Two walking trails are available, with the elevated boardwalk being barrier-free, making it safe for families. The boardwalk is 1.6 km round-trip and allows easy access to the lakeshore of Lake Ichiko, where you can enjoy the reflection of the Shiretoko Mountain Range. The ground-level trails offer an even closer stroll around the lakes. As Shiretoko Five Lakes is also home to brown bears, participation in tours led by a registered Shiretoko Five Lakes guide is mandatory during the active bear season, ensuring a safe experience. Three observation decks offer spectacular panoramic views of nature.

During the winter, guided tours to walk over the frozen lake surfaces while wearing snowshoes, set against the snow-capped Shiretoko Mountain Range, are highly popular. The tour allows you to access wetlands inaccessible during summer and occasionally spot wildlife.

Before entering the Utoro downtown area along National Route 334, you will find Oshinkoshin Falls, selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. In the Ainu language, it means "O-shunk-ushi" or "place where Yezo spruce grows in clusters," fittingly describing the waterfall's powerful flow cascading from a cliff surrounded by greenery. The waterfall's bold appearance and its flow splitting into two paths midway have earned it the nickname "The Twin Beauty Falls." In winter, parts of the falls may freeze, so caution is advised when ascending to the observation deck. The Shiretoko Roman Fureai-go A Course, a sightseeing bus with souvenirs from Shari Bus, visits Oshinkoshin Falls, allowing you to experience the impressive waterfall up close. The Akan Bus's Shiretoko Kushiro-go route also stops here, making it accessible even during the winter season.

Shiretoko sightseeing boats offer the opportunity to enjoy numerous waterfalls, rocks, and the majestic Shiretoko Mountain Range from the sea. Boarding is available in downtown Utoro, making it a fun experience for families.
In Shiretoko, the community is united in safety efforts, establishing safety measures such as safe operation rules. From large sightseeing boats to smaller cruisers, passengers can observe wildlife such as brown bears, Yezo deer, and white-tailed eagles.
With unique sea caves and the ever-changing mountain surface through the seasons, visitors can fully enjoy the nature of Shiretoko, known as "Japan's last secret frontier."
Prices range from approximately 3,000 to 10,000 yen depending on the route, and the tours last from 1 hour to 3.5 hours, allowing you to choose your preferred course.

Kamuiwakka means "water of the gods" in the Ainu language, referring to the small hot spring waterfall formed by water flowing from Shiretoko Iouzan. There are four waterfalls, from Ichinotaki to Shinotaki, where visitors can enjoy stream climbing. As you progress to the upper waterfalls, the water temperature increases, making it possible to bathe in a swimsuit in midsummer. Kamuiwakka is also the trailhead for the active volcanic activity of Shiretoko Iouzan, providing a variety of activities to enjoy. Stream climbing is available from July 1st to September 30th, and climbing Iouzan is possible from late May to early October, so please be mindful of the timing of your visit.

This hot spring inn offers a charming location with panoramic views of the Sea of Okhotsk. The spacious public bath has numerous tubs, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the hot springs at their leisure. The highlight of this hotel is the buffet "Marusukoi," where over 80 types of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes using seasonal Hokkaido ingredients can be enjoyed. It's an inn where the whole family can have a delightful experience.

A high-grade resort hotel where you can enjoy hot springs and a sauna while viewing the drift ice. This is an all-inclusive accommodation where everything, from lounge drinks and sweets to activities, is included in the lodging fee. The cuisine is also top-notch, and guests can directly order as much as they want from the chefs at the counter.

This inn, popular for its newly renovated large public bath and sauna in January 2023, is surrounded by natural woods, giving guests the feeling of a forest bath while soaking in the hot springs. The "Asobi no Mori" (Play Forest) in the facility features large play equipment, making it enjoyable for families with small children. Baby food is available, and the hotel is recognized as a "Welcome Baby Inn," child-friendly resort.

This guesthouse with hot springs is located on a hill overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk. Guests can enjoy viewing the sunset over the Sea of Okhotsk from their rooms. With a free kitchen available for guests, you can cook fish caught during the day or seasonal ingredients purchased, making it an enjoyable stay for those who wish to prepare their own meals.

"Maruko Fisheries," delivering delicious fish from Shiretoko, Hokkaido to the whole country, has a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood.
It's open during those times when you might miss lunch on weekends or want a bite after sightseeing tours or cruises, or before and after exploring Utoro. You can enjoy a variety of seafood at different times.
Check the official Instagram or Business Profile for details on opening dates and hours.

A cafe bar that stays open until 3 AM, offering pasta, a la carte dishes, and handmade pizzas using local ingredients. After your meal, you can relax with delicious coffee or drinks. One perk is that it's open daily during the summer season.

This roadside station features an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood dishes, such as seafood rice bowls and grilled hokke set meals, as well as unique Hokkaido game cuisine. After your meal, be sure to try the beloved lingonberry soft-serve ice cream, a favorite for over 30 years, or pick up some Shiretoko souvenirs.

This cruise offers wildlife watching experiences, such as sperm whales, orcas, and dolphins in the summer, and white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles during the winter drift ice season. Unlike the Utoro side, the sea on the Rausu side has lower drift ice density, making it easier for animals to find food and increasing the chance to see more wildlife. Rausu is the only area where you can board drift ice sightseeing boats during Shiretoko's winter. In winter, it's essential to dress warmly to protect yourself from the cold air, and in summer, it's reassuring to have an extra layer due to the low average temperature.

Located on National Route 334 connecting Utoro and Rausu Town, Rausu Pass offers stunning views. From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Mount Rausu, the sea of trees, and the distant Kunashiri Island. Though it is closed during winter due to snow, the "Shiretoko Rausu Snow Wall Walk" held only one day before reopening is an extremely popular activity, with reservations filling up quickly. Participants can walk between towering walls of snow.

A secluded hot spring quietly nestled in the forest along the Rausu River. Managed by local volunteers, it is a hidden gem known only to some. With its high-temperature and excellent quality water, it is popular among local fishermen for relieving fatigue. While there is no admission fee, there is a donation box for the management costs, and contributing helps support the preservation of the area, allowing everyone to enjoy it even more.

This inn features a natural hot spring flowing directly from the source, nestled within a primeval forest. Guests can enjoy dinners with a wide variety of dishes made from locally sourced seasonal ingredients. With attractions like Kuma-no-Yu and the Rausu Visitor Center nearby, it serves as an excellent base for sightseeing.

Known for its natural hot springs, this inn also offers day-use bathing. You can enjoy its renowned hot springs and generous dinners at relatively affordable prices. Another great feature is that it's less than 10 minutes to downtown Rausu.

Situated along the coast, this inn is popular for its rooms with bedrock baths. Guests can enjoy unique birch chaga baths and hot springs while watching the sunrise over Kunashiri Island. Try savoring fresh crab shabu-shabu and seafood caught on the same day.

This restaurant offers Rausu's pride—sea urchin, crab, and salmon. The "Shiretoko Seafood Bowl," available from April to December, is especially popular. Since the restaurant has irregular holidays, it's advisable to check in advance before visiting.

A local favorite dining spot frequently visited by celebrities. It offers reasonably priced dishes like sea urchin bowls, seafood rice bowls, and grilled fish set meals. If you're lucky, you might get to try the high-quality fish known as "menme" (also called kinki).

Located within the Roadside Station Shiretoko Rausu. It opens at 7 AM, making it a great spot for breakfast. You can enjoy seafood rice bowls, grilled fish set meals, and ramen richly flavored with Rausu kombu. The spacious interior, with about 100 seats, ensures a comfortable dining experience for groups and families.

Drive east along National Route 334 by the coast
(Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours)

Take the Shiretoko Airport Liner and get off at Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal
(Approximately 2 hours / 3,500 yen)

Take a bus from Memanbetsu Airport to Abashiri Station, then board the JR Senmou Line
Transfer to Shari Bus at Shiretoko Shari Station and get off at Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal
(Approximately 3.5 hours / 2,620 yen)

Drive through Lake Akan and Teshikaga, using National Route 391, Prefectural Route 1115, and National Route 334
(Approximately 2.5 hours)

From the Kushiro Station Terminal, take the Akan Bus "Kushiro-Shiretoko Line,"
Get off at Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku
(Including sightseeing, approximately 10 hours / 6,000 yen)

At Kushiro Station, board the JR Senmou Line "Shiretoko Mashu-go" towards Abashiri Get off at Shiretoko Shari Station,
transfer to Shari Bus, and get off at Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal
(Approximately 5.5 hours / 5,680 yen)