Shiretoko Peninsula

A peninsula in northeastern Hokkaido, Japan, extending into the Sea of Okhotsk. Its volcanic mountains, forests, and coastal ecosystems support abundant wildlife.

Connect

Shiretoko National Park: A national park covering much of the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido. It protects the peninsula’s central mountain range, forests, and coast.
Sea of Okhotsk: A marginal sea of the North Pacific bordered by eastern Russia, Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. Its seasonal ice and marine waters define Shiretoko’s northern coastal setting.
Kuril arc: A volcanic island arc formed above a subduction zone in the northwest Pacific. Shiretoko’s volcanoes belong to the tectonic setting of this arc.
Shiretoko World Heritage Site Management Plan: A framework coordinating conservation and management across the Shiretoko World Heritage property. It guides how authorities manage the peninsula’s connected land and sea habitats.
Sea of Okhotsk ecosystem: The interacting marine and coastal communities of the Sea of Okhotsk and its surrounding shores. Shiretoko’s wildlife depends on processes extending beyond the peninsula.
Mount Rausu: A 1,661-meter volcano on the Shiretoko Peninsula and one of Hokkaido’s highest peaks. Its summit anchors the peninsula’s rugged volcanic interior.
Sea ice: Frozen seawater that forms, moves, and melts at the ocean surface. Drifting ice brings nutrients and marks the peninsula’s distinctive winter ecology.
Kuril–Kamchatka Trench: A deep ocean trench where the Pacific Plate descends beneath the Okhotsk Plate. This subduction system helps drive volcanic activity around Shiretoko.
Shiretoko National Park Visitor Center: An interpretation facility introducing the nature and visitor guidance of Shiretoko National Park. It presents the park’s wildlife, landscapes, and rules for safe visits.
Salmonidae: A family of ray-finned fishes that includes salmon, trout, and char. Salmon migrations connect Shiretoko’s rivers, forests, and coastal waters.