Shiretoko National Park
Shiretoko National Park (知床国立公園, Shiretoko Kokuritsu Kōen) is a World Heritage Site in Hokkaidō, Japan.[1] The park covers the Shiretoko Peninsula which faces the Sea of Okhotsk.[2]
| Shiretoko National Park | |
|---|---|
| 知床国立公園 | |
IUCN category II (national park) | |
 View from the sea | |
| Location | Hokkaidō, Japan |
| Coordinates | 44°06′N 145°11′E / 44.100°N 145.183°E |
| Area | 386.33 km2 (149.16 sq mi) |
| Established | June 1, 1964 |
| Official name | Shiretoko |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | ix, x |
| Designated | 2005 (29th session) |
| Reference no. | 1193 |
| State Party | Japan |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
The word "Shiretoko" is comes from an Ainu word "sir etok". It means "end of the Earth".[2]
History
Shiretoko National Park was established in 1964.[3]
In 2005, UNESCO named the area a World Heritage Site.[1] UNESCO also suggested that Japan should work with Russia to make an international "World Heritage Peace Park" including the Kuril Islands. Both Japan and Russia claim these islands as part of their countries.
Geography
Shiretoko is hard to get to. Visitors must go to most places on foot or by boat. There is a hot springs waterfall called Kamuiwakka Falls (カムイワッカの滝, Kamuiwakka-no-taki). Kamui wakka means "water of the gods" in Ainu.
Plants
The park forests are temperate and subalpine. There are several different types of trees. The most common trees here are Sakhalin fir, Erman's birch, and Mongolian oak.
Animals
The park has Japan's largest mammal species of Ezo brown bears.[3]
References
Other websites
Shiretoko National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage
