Shiretoko Peninsula

Geographical location

The Shiretoko Peninsula (Japanese知 床 半岛, Shiretoko Hanto ), is located in the easternmost part of the Japanese island of Hokkaido and protrudes into the Sea of ​​Okhotsk into it. The area can be reached very remote and largely only on foot or by boat.

The name Shiretoko is derived from the Ainu language: sir - Etok (シㇼエトㇰ ) means " projecting land", ie Chap.

Geography

From the Cape Shiretoko at the tip of the peninsula, a number of them Shiretoko -dake (知 床 岳; 1254 m) moves from volcanoes the peninsula along, Shiretoko iōzan (知 床 硫 黄山, dt Shiretoko - sulfur mountain, 1562 m), Rausu- dake (罗 臼 岳; 1,660 m ), Onnebetsu -dake (远 音 别 岳; 1331 m) and Unabetsu -dake (海 别 岳; 1419 m).

In the volcanic area, there are several famous Onsen, so Seseki - onsen and Iwaobetsu - Onsen. The large number of hot springs makes the area a popular tourist destination.

Flora and Fauna

The peninsula is home to numerous species of deciduous and coniferous trees, the oak species Quercus crispula ( Mizunara ). Foxes, brown bears, Japanese deer, the Hokkaido owl and sea lions are some of the species encountered here. The Shiretoko Peninsula is one of the most important wintering areas of the Giant Eagle ( Haliaeetus pelagicus ), temporarily accumulate more than 2000 animals, representing about one third of the total portfolio.

To protect the otherwise rare in Japan, wildlife and natural beauty, in 1964 a large part of the peninsula was declared the Shiretoko National Park. Since it is a nature reserve, the entering of large parts of the peninsula is prohibited.

On July 17, 2005, the peninsula has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.