On Hokkaido's eastern side, located near the Northern Territories, "Shiretoko Peninsula," the piece of land that juts out into the Sea of Okhotsk at an upper angle, has been registered as a world natural heritage.
The peninsula, extending vertically 70 kilometers from Cape Shiretoko, is a paradise that features the mountains of Shiretoko, rivers, lakes, greenery, and seas, and also hosts various animals.
Animals found in Shiretoko include brown bears, owls, sea eagles, and other species that are at risk of extinction. In winter, animals such as sea lions and seals come to the seas nearby.
There are also many varieties of plants, from the eggplants that flower in the coastal areas to the water musaceae that spread in the lake wetlands. Further, on the 1600-meter Rausu Mountain can be found naturally occurring high-altitude plants such as the Shiretoko violet and the Ezonotsugazakura.
Of course, Shiretoko is not just remarkable because of flora and fauna, but is also renowned for its dynamic natural geography. This includes the five lakes that reflect the Shiretoko mountain ranges, majestic cliffs from which waterfalls crash into the sea below, and much more.
As the short summer, in which the Ezosukashi lily and Shiretoko violet bloom, fades away, the mountains seem to burn as the autumn leaves change into brilliant colors, creating a beautiful scene.
At this time, animals begin to prepare for the next season by getting their offspring ready to survive; this is symbolized by the salmon that return upstream to spawn in the rivers that run below the mountains.
As the region passes out of the winter, in which the entire world is enveloped in white, new life is born in spring, and visitors can enjoy the fleeting world of green again.
These natural surroundings have been protected through time by their harsh conditions, which have served to keep humans out.
The sight of these plants and animals gallantly surviving in such an unforgiving environment is perhaps another layer of the attraction that Shiretoko offers.
Reference Website
▽Shari commercial tourism section
http://www.town.shari.hokkaido.jp/
shiretoko/
