Verified in Japan

Shari, Hokkaido / 知床五湖

Shiretoko Five Lakes

Five lakes in virgin forest below the Shiretoko mountains, seen from a free elevated boardwalk or, with rules that change by season because of brown bears, from ground trails.

A lake among marsh grass reflecting clouds, with the Shiretoko mountains behind
The first lake of Shiretoko Goko (photo taken August 2014)Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 (resized) · License · Source

Last official check

25 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

0

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

24 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there
Train / Bus / Car
Admission
Paid (see the price below)
Closing days
Closures change with the season
Booking
Some things need booking (see the rows below)

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is listed under “Not yet confirmed”.

Opening hours

The season follows the opening of the access road (usually mid-April to mid-November). Park hours: Sep 16-30 8:00-17:30; Oct 1-20 8:00-17:00; Oct 21-31 8:30-16:40; Nov 1-8 8:30-16:30 (Apr 21 - Aug 31 8:00-18:30). The Park Service Center is open 8:00-17:00 (8:30-16:30 from Oct 21); its shop opens at 9:00.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Closed

In winter (late January to mid-March) the road is closed to private vehicles and the facilities are shut; the lakes can be visited only on the paid winter eco-tour.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site
Admission

The elevated boardwalk (about 800 m each way, about 40 min return) is free. Ground trails: in the vegetation-protection periods (opening to May 9 and August 1 to closing) take a 10-min lecture and pay adults (12+) 450 yen, children 200 yen. In the bear-activity period (May 10 - July 31) only guided tours by registered guides (large loop from 6,000 yen booked in advance, small loop 4,000 yen, etc.).

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Getting there

About 14 km (20 min by car) from Utoro; Shari Bus runs there. About 90 km (2 hours) from Memanbetsu Airport (seasonal bus) and 40 km from JR Shiretoko-Shari Station (bus). Highway bus from Sapporo (reservation required). For car navigation use the old "Shiretoko Goko Rest House" (0152-24-2299), map code 757 730 727 or MG code 100-1324; searching by phone number may lead elsewhere.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking

Paid car park with about 100 spaces (buses, cars, motorcycles); the fee is not listed.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Accessibility

The elevated boardwalk has no steps and gentle slopes, so it is wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs are lent free at the Field House.

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
Not yet confirmed

Payment

we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: Shari, Hokkaido (Japanese address: 北海道斜里郡斜里町遠音別村字岩宇別549番地)

Official site: https://www.goko.go.jp/

Location

Open in Google MapsGet directions

Crowds

Not yet confirmed

Crowd level, Best time to visit, Peak time, Busiest days, Busiest season

no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Latest traveler report
None yet

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

Visiting respectfully

  • RulesThe ground trails close when bears appear; the elevated boardwalk has an electric fence (about 7,000 V) and stays open. There are no toilets or shops on the ground trails. Last lectures from Sep 16 to 30: 15:00 for the large loop, 16:00 for the small loop.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • NatureDo not feed wildlife, litter, cook, eat or smoke. Stay on the paths. No pets (assistance dogs are also asked to stay out). No drones. Do not take unsealed food or sugary drinks onto the ground trails.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • Local etiquetteProcedures and signs are multilingual, and the Field House has English-speaking staff.Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • RulesThe elevated boardwalk only reaches the first lake; to see all five lakes you walk the ground trails (with the lecture or a guided tour, depending on the season).Checked 25 Sept 2026 on the official site

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