There are several experiential activities available in Shiretoko, a World Heritage Site, during the winter. One of the most popular is the drift ice walk. Another is this winter tour of the Shiretoko Five Lakes.

While the drift ice walk is bustling with people playing on the ice and filled with cheers, Shiretoko Five Lakes is a place where you can truly enjoy the silence. It is truly a world of otherworldliness.

Walking through the snow-covered Shiretoko Five Lakes wearing snowshoes (Western-style snowshoes) is a unique winter experience!

Crossing Cape Puyuni, we head towards the heart of the Shiretoko mountain range.

First, we pass through Cape Puyuni, which overlooks the Sea of ​​Okhotsk covered in drift ice, and then head towards the Shiretoko Five Lakes, nestled in the heart of the Shiretoko mountain range, while enjoying a panoramic view of the mountains.

Unlike in the summer, we changed into our snowshoes in the quiet parking lot and started our hike. Normally, this ground-level trail is frequented by brown bears, so guided tours are mandatory during the bear activity season, and even during the off-season, you are required to receive at least a basic lecture before walking in this area.

However, in winter, bears are basically in a state of hibernation, so we will proceed by entering the area near their den.

After emerging from the forest, the landscape suddenly opened up, revealing Lake 2.

After walking through the forest for a while, the first thing you notice is that your eye level is much higher than in the summer, so each tree looks completely different, and you really feel like you're walking right next to the slender leaves of the conifers. You feel even more like you've entered the forest than in the summer.
After walking for about ten minutes, the first lake you encounter is Lake 2. In the summer, it's the largest and a popular spot where you can see the mountain range up close and the mountains beautifully reflected on the lake's surface. At this time of year, it's a little less impressive because there's no shadow, but conversely, you'll be astonished at how easily you can enter the shaded area.
(By the way, here's a summer scene.)

The impact of the lush, green landscape was so overwhelming that I was thrilled to suddenly find myself in the middle of the lake. The small island, which I could only see from afar, was suddenly right in front of me.

In the ultimate silence

As I mentioned earlier, Shiretoko Five Lakes is a tour designed to be enjoyed in tranquility, and true to its concept, there is no sound around. The only sounds you can hear are the occasional flapping of wings by Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles soaring through the air, and the chirping of small birds lurking somewhere.

And just when you think everyone has fallen asleep, you can clearly hear the wind, the sound of dripping water, and the ice melting during the day even in the middle of winter. These sounds clearly increase with the arrival of spring, and you can feel the difference after hearing it several times as the sounds of spring approach.

What we see are Hokkaido deer wandering through the snow, searching for food. Occasionally, we come across the carcasses of deer that have collapsed from exhaustion, but this too is a harsh reality of winter in Shiretoko. We cannot turn away from it. This is how winter in Shiretoko Five Lakes reveals the true nature of the world, with creatures living quietly and others peacefully sleeping.

Nature is so harsh, so fleeting. It's a time when you truly realize that it's a world that inherently keeps humans far away. Drift ice reaches the coastline, and the sea is still. The mountains and snow drown out and swallow up all sounds. In Tove Jansson's Moomin series, there is an episode called "Moominvalley in Winter," in which Moomin wakes up during hibernation, and the first thing he experiences is silence.

(I tried going inside the trunk of a big tree...)

Maple syrup sweets in the midst of nature

In this world of snow and ice, our nature guide pointed out that scattered throughout the landscape were natural sweets: maple syrup dripping down branches and freezing solid. I immediately took a bite of one of these icicle-like sweets hanging from a branch, and the sweet flavor spread coolly throughout my mouth. I never imagined such a delightful snack time awaited me...

Do you remember the scene in the movie Frozen where Olaf appears and glass-like icicles hang from the trees, sparkling brightly? When I saw it, the first thing that came to mind was the scenery in the forest around Shiretoko Five Lakes. It's exactly like that scene that follows.

True tranquility is even more fully appreciated in expansive landscapes.

After spending over an hour visiting lakes 5 through 2, we finally reached lake 1. We finally arrived at the elevated wooden walkway, a spot accessible to everyone, which is part of the elevated walkway in the summer. This popular spot, where people line up to take photos in the summer, is now deserted (the photo is from early spring).

On the opposite side of the Shiretoko mountain range, the Sea of ​​Okhotsk stretches out as far as the horizon, a white expanse that also appears as if time has stood still. Moreover, the sense of tranquility I had felt while walking through the forest with no visibility earlier seemed to intensify as I reached this magnificent viewing spot, leaving me speechless at the breathtaking spectacle that only winter can offer. It is within this scale that humans are allowed to live. We are given the privilege of inhabiting this place. This is a paradise of nature.

About the winter tour to Shiretoko Five Lakes

Finally, if you want to hike around the Shiretoko Five Lakes in winter, you will need to join a guided tour. Tours are offered from January 22nd to March 22nd (2017), the hiking time is approximately 3 hours, and the tour fee is generally around 6,500 yen.

Also, to protect the natural environment, the number of visitors allowed to enter Shiretoko Five Lakes in winter is limited to 150 people per day (as of 2017), so it is recommended to make a reservation in advance.

For winter sightseeing information about Shiretoko, please click here →→Shiretoko Shari Tourism Association Homepage

↓↓ Book your winter Shiretoko Five Lakes tour here at "Tabi Plus One"! ↓↓
[Japan's Largest Option Booking Site] Tabi Plus One - Winter Shiretoko Five Lakes Tour

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~~Related articles you might also want to read~~
- Drift Ice Walk [Experience Report] A special experience of freely walking on drift ice!
・The magic of ice and sun: What is the allure of diamond dust canoeing on the Kushiro River in winter?
I actually rode it! The Abashiri drift icebreaker Aurora | Aurora
・You definitely won't regret it! Useful tips for choosing the right drift ice viewing tour based on your purpose!
・[Winter Stunning Scenery] Lake Akan - Frost Flowers | Ice flowers blooming in a paradise in the sky!
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