Eastern Hokkaido

Hokkaido's wildest east: World Heritage Shiretoko, the Akan-Mashu lakes, red-crowned cranes in the Kushiro Wetlands, and Abashiri drift ice.

Eastern Hokkaido (Doto) is the general name for eastern Hokkaido, roughly covering Tokachi, Kushiro, Nemuro and the Okhotsk area (Abashiri, Shiretoko). It is known for pristine nature and wildlife, and is not the same as Hokkaido as a whole. The core attraction is the World Natural Heritage Shiretoko Peninsula, where you can walk the boardwalks at Shiretoko Five Lakes, take a boat to see brown bears and dolphins, and join a drift ice walk in winter. Akan-Mashu National Park has Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, the marimo moss balls of Lake Akan and the sulfur mountain; the Kushiro Wetlands are Japan's largest marshland, and in winter you can see red-crowned cranes up close at Tsurui village; Abashiri is known for its icebreaker ship and Drift Ice Museum; and Obihiro in Tokachi offers vast farm landscapes, sweets and butadon (pork rice bowls). The classic self-drive route is Obihiro–Akan–Mashu–Shiretoko–Abashiri, about 5–7 days, flying in and out of Kushiro or Memanbetsu airport. The region is vast and sparsely populated, with few trains, so you almost have to drive; in winter, only those with snow-driving experience should drive, otherwise take a drift ice sightseeing bus or a local tour. Watch for wildlife, and don't hike alone in bear country.

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