I had the pleasure of exploring this breathtaking area back in July 2021, and it remains one of my most memorable hikes ever.
Hiking Season and Trail Details:
Best Time to Hike: July to early September. I went in early July.
Trail Recommendation: The Iwaobetsu Trail is fantastic, but it takes 10 hours, so start by 6 AM. Make sure to use the washroom at the trailhead since there are none on the trail. I highly recommend bringing a portable toilet just in case.
Water Sources: There are three spots to refill your water along the trail. I carried 1L, which was enough for me.
Camping: If you’re planning to camp, there are some great spots near the summit at Rausu Daira.
Facilities: No restrooms on the trail; there is a restroom at the trailhead. Bringing a portable toilet is recommended.
Trail Details
Distance: 15 km round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,500 meters
Duration: 10 hours roundtrip
Starting Out: The first part of the trail is through a beautiful forest. After about 2 hours, you'll reach a viewpoint with stunning views of the Okhotsk Sea. From there, you’ll have unobstructed sea views for the rest of the hike.
Rausu Daira: This flat section is perfect for a lunch break or camping. The summit is less than an hour from here, but it gets pretty steep. Even in July, I encountered some snow, so hiking poles were really helpful.
Accommodation:
Chinohate Hotel: This is the best place to stay since it’s right at the trailhead. Even if you’re not staying overnight, you can use their day spa (closing hours vary between 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM).
Bear Safety:
High Bear Population: Mt. Rausu has the highest concentration of bears in Japan, so bear awareness is crucial. There’s a bear sighting map at the trail entrance.
Bear Spray: You can rent a bear spray for ¥2000 at the mountain hut near the trailhead, which I highly recommend especially if you are solo.
Access to Iwaobetsu Trailhead:
By Car:
Parking: Free parking is available at Chinohate Hotel, but it fills up quickly, often by 6 AM on summer weekends.
By Public Transport:
Bus and Taxi: Take a bus to Utoro, then a taxi to the trailhead (about ¥7000). There’s also an overnight bus to Utoro from Sapporo.
Train and Bus: From Shari-Shiretoko Station, catch an 80-minute bus to the Iwaobetsu bus stop, then walk 40 minutes to the trailhead.
Hotel Shuttle: Book a night at Chinohate Onsen Hotel, and they’ll pick you up from the Iwaobetsu bus stop (¥10,000 to ¥20,000).
At the trailhead, you’ll find a notice board and a map showing recent bear sightings. If you rent bear spray, you’ll need to spend about 10 minutes filling out a form and provide ID.
