Shiretoko Goko Lakes

In northeastern Hokkaido, Japan, a group of five of us went to the Shiretoko Goko Lakes area (www.goko.go.jp/english) on Sept. 14, 2014.

From the parking area, there are two scenic routes that can be walked. The longer one, which we took, is a 3-kilometer-long ground path from which you can see five of the lakes. It’s hilly and, as I discovered after it rained, very slippery when wet, with water holes. There are also brown bears living along the route.

The scenery from the path was excellent, beautiful — very green and rural. The path was up and down; we often were walking through woods, and then we’d come across a lake.

Before setting out, all visitors watched a 10-minute film (in Japanese) on what to do if confronted by a bear. Those of us taking the longer route also had a lecture (in Japanese) on bear safety. To inform visitors, the locations of the most recent bear track sightings are posted. We saw tracks excitingly close to the path, but we saw no bears.

The other route is much shorter, with about half of it elevated and protected. (No fun!) Only two lakes can be seen from that path.

The park is open May 9-Oct. 20. According to a brochure (printed in English), “bear aware” season is May 10-July 31. To walk the longer path during those three months, you must travel with, and pay for, a registered tour guide. A guide can be reserved on the website and costs ¥2,500 (near $21) for a group of up to 10. The shorter path does not require a guide. 

There is also a building, the Shiretoko World Heritage Conservation Center, which has some exhibits and, of course, a food area.

Parking costs ¥410 ($3.50) per car. Walking the long route costs ¥5,000 and the short route, ¥2,000. From Aug. 1 through Oct. 20, adults each pay ¥250 and children, ¥100.

Be careful to hold your camera steady if a brown bear charges you!

STANLEY OSUR

Hawthorne, NJ