Shiretoko: Getting there and around

The closest airport to Shiretoko National Park is Memanbetsu Airport with direct flights from/to Tokyo and Sapporo, operated by JAL, ANA and Air Do, as well as seasonal connections to Osaka and Nagoya. The airport is about 100 kilometers west of the national park.

There are a small number of direct buses between the airport and Utoro during summer (early June to early October) and winter (mid January to late March). The one way ride takes about two hours and costs 3500 yen.

Airline	Lowest fare	Average lowest fare
JAL	16,952 yen	28,926 yen
Air Do	8,370 yen	25,758 yen

The closest railway station to the national park is JR Shiretoko Shari Station in the center of Shari Town, about 40 kilometers southwest of the national park. Shiretoko Shari Station can be reached in 40 minutes from Abashiri (970 yen one way) or in about 2.5 hours from Kushiro (3190 yen one way) by infrequently operating trains. The approach from Sapporo via Abashiri takes about 6-7 hours and costs around 10,500 yen.

Shiretoko Shari Station is connected with Utoro by infrequent buses (60 minutes, 1650 yen one way), some of which continue from Utoro via the Shiretoko Nature Center to the Shiretoko Five Lakes) from late April through October.

Overnight buses operate daily between Sapporo and Utoro. The one way journey takes eight hours and costs 8400 yen. Online reservations can be made via Japan Bus Online.

Convenient rental car outlets in the proximity of Shiretoko National Park can be found at Memanbetsu Airport (about 100 kilometers away), in Abashiri (about 80 kilometers away) and in Kushiro (about 160 kilometers away). From Sapporo, the national park is about 450 kilometers or a 6-7 hour drive via Asahikawa, Sounkyo, Kitami and Bihoro.