In Shiretoko Rausu, there are many ways to enjoy nature!
Top page > Nature and Hands-on Activities > Sight
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- Shiokaze Koen (Park)
- This park holds a stone monument to the novel "Okhotsk Rojin", written by Yukio Togawa. Based on this story, the famous movie "Chi no Hate ni Ikiru Mono" (those who live in the horizon of the soil) was filmed, and "Shiretoko Ryojou" (travelling Shiretoko) by Hisaya Morishige was born.
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Advice
Automatic guidance is available. With a breathtaking view of Rausu harbour, this certainly is the place where you can feel the sting of salt air on your face! Next to the monument to Okhotsk Rojin, there is an excerpt from "Shiretoko Ryojou" carved in Hisaya Morishige's handwriting, which he sent to show his appreciation to the people of Rausu for their help and assistance in shooting his film.
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- Makkausu Cave
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One of Hokkaido's protected natural monuments. In a small cave about 1.5km from the town centre towards Shiretoko Peninsula, a wildly growing moss casts a magical glow from within the cave. The long, filamentous stalk section of the moss is filled with lens-shaped cells, and it is these cells that reflect the light, producing the beautiful emerald green colour. Glowing moss is in itself not particularly rare, but the amount of moss growing naturally together in this cave makes it the largest natural habitat in Japan! On his journey of exploration through the area, Takeshirou Matsuura spent a night in this case.
On July 17th 2008, entrance to the cave area was prohibited due to fears of falling rocks from the bedrock above the cave, and from 13:00 on October 10th 2008, one part of the cave area was reopened to the general public. However, the area remains closed during certain seasons due to fears of falling rocks, ice, or snow. (Reopening date undecided)
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Advice
The best time to see the moss is while the sun is shining in the summertime. In the winter time, you can see ice stalagmites instead of the moss. It looks just like a scene from Moomin Valley!
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Dates Available
May ~ October
Ice stalagmites can be seen December ~ April -
For details,
contact Rausu-cho Town Hall, Environmental Management Department 0153-87-2126
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- Kanketsusen (Geyser)
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One of Hokkaido's designated natural monuments, the geyser is located approximately 3km from the town centre in the Shiretoko Pass direction, on the right riverbank of the "Hatsudensho Kawa" river (electricity generation river). The geyser started to spout during boring work in 1961. However, geysers frequently have very short life spans, and are relatively rare throughout Japan. *The geyser did not spout in 2009.
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Advice
The geyser spouts approximately once an hour, to a height of 6 meters!
Do not see the water pour out from autumn 2009.
Also, some entrances are closed, so please note your mouth not available as Mount Rausu Starting point for a climb.
【Recognition】Mount Rausu Starting point for a climb(Rausu side) for parking and climbers -
Dates Available
May~ December
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For details,
contact Rausu-cho Town Hall, Environmental Management Department 0153-87-2126
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- Whale View Park (Open all year)
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This is the only "hill" in Japan where you can stand and watch the mighty 17 meter long sperm whales blow air from their air holes. A short 25km away across the ocean you can see the Northern Territories of Kunashiri Island, and just below you can see the fixed-net fishing nets waiting to be hauled by the local fishermen.
「In December, 2010, I establish a sign.
I was accompanied by the guides such as signatures to become the topography of Kunashir and the aim of whales / birds and depended and became user-friendly.」 -
Advice
The park is located along prefectural highway 88, next to Rausu Lighthouse above the "Zaimoku-iwa Tunnel". There is a single-lane road that leads to the viewing platform, but be careful during winter as the snow is not removed from here! It is possible to hike to the platform, and there is a trekking course for snowshoeing etc. Binoculars (7 to 10 times magnification) are essential, and the best time to spot whales is from 14:00 until about 30 minutes before sundown. During the winter season, it is not possible to get to the park by car, as the road is very steep. For details, contact the Shiretoko Rausu-cho Tourist Association.
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A related site
The SeaLife Watch
Since 1995, the Shiretoko Nemuro Strait, the dolphins and whale watching, naturalist sites are carried out by cruise ship and ground observation point.
photograph identification catalogue others.
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For details,
contact the Shiretoko Kujiranokai (0153-87-2433)
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- Mt. Rausu (Rausu-dake)
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At an altitude of 1660.2m, Mt. Rausu is the main peak of the Shiretoko Mountain Range, and one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. It can be seen easily from the centre of town.
【Recognition】Mount Rausu Starting point for a climb(Rausu side) for parking and climbers -
Advice
Scenery Photograph Point!
The view of Mt. Rausu in the background with Rausu River flowing through the centre of town is a timeless image that seems to change slightly every day, making it the perfect photograph subject.
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- Shiretoko Mountain Pass
(National Highway 334) -
This is the peak of the Shiretoko Mountain pass that connects Rausu-cho with Shari-cho Utoro, and is famous throughout Japan as being the road that is open for the shortest period of time (road is closed from early November until late April). From the 740m high point, you can take in splendid views of the mountains and valleys of Mr. Rausu, the Nemuro Straits, and beyond that, Kunashiri Island. The entire length of the mountain pass is 25km, and the summit is about 15km from Rausu town centre.
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Advice
The Shiretoko Mountain Pass to Shari-cho Utoro side of the pass has many long, straight stretches of road, whereas the road from the summit to Rausu town has many sharp bends and turns. However, on each turn, you get an entirely new and exciting view of Kunashiri Island and Mt. Rausu!
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For details
0153-72-3221 Nakashibetsu Highway Office
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- "Kita no Kuni Kara 2002 Yuigon" Location Tour
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"Kita no Kuni Kara 2002 Yuigon" was the final episode of the hit television drama series made by Fuji Television. Rausu was used alongside Furano City as the main location for the drama. Even now, fans of the TV show continue to visit Rausu. Filming at the "Kita no Kuni Kara 2002 Yuigon" started in September 2001, and continued for a number of months until February the next year.
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Advice
Roadside Station Shiretoko Rausu has a display room on the first floor which exhibits images of the location and filming of the series. The famous theme song is also played in the background, as you look through the historic filmmaking process.
Sou Kuramoto also produced the "Kita no Kuni Kara Passport", that ties Rausu together with Furano. With your passport and location map, you can tour the film locations and collect all of the stamps for a unique souvenir! -
Click here for the printable PDF 「"Kita no Kuni Kara 2002 Yuigon Location Map and Commemorative Stamp Locations" 」
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Click to enlarge map
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- Kunashiri Island of the Northern Territories
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The Northern Territories consist of four islands, namely Kunashiri Island, Etorofu Island, Shikotan Island, and Habomai Island (Tarakutou, Shibotsutou, Yuritou, Akiyuritou, Suishojima Kaigarajima). Only Kunashiri Island can be seen from Rausu, and it is 120km in length.
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Kunashiri Island rises like a silhouette in the Nemuro Straits.
The shape of Kunashiri Island looks like this when viewed from the Rausu coastline. The part that is closest to Rausu, and can be seen clearest from the Rausu coastline is Mt. Tomari, but if you view Kunashiri Island from Shiretoko Mountain Pass, the viewing point, or summit of Mr. Rausu, you can see the white peaks of Mt Chacha more clearly. At the closest point, there is only 25km distance between Rausu and Kunashiri Island. When viewed from towns such as Betsukai or Shibetsu along national highway 335, Kunashiri Island appears to be a small island. It is only when you view it from Rausu do you get an idea of its true size. Why can't we go onto that island? Whose island is it? Maybe you can consider the Northern Territories dispute when you are here too.
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Advice
In the summer months, Kunashiri Island is often shrouded in fog. But as the season changes to autumn, the fog lifts and you can clearly see the surface of the mountains and groves of trees. If you wake up early enough, you can watch the breathtaking sight of the sunrise over Kunashiri Island, and in the evening you can see Kunashiri Island painted red as the sun descends to Shari-cho Utoro. Yet another breathtaking sight that you can only behold in Rausu.
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