Mt. Rausu (羅臼岳）
Mt. Rausu is the highest point on the Shiretoko peninsula, a World Heritage site renowned for its striking beauty, abundant wildlife, and pristine nature. It also happens to be one of the most notorious places in Japan for brown bear encounters.
The hike: From the parking lot at Iwaobetsu Hot Spring, walk on the paved road that goes next to the large hotel until you come to a mountain hut and toilet. The trailhead starts here. The path climbs through a breathtakingly beautiful forest before reaching a rocky area with nice views out to the Sea of Okhotsk. There are warning signs written in Japanese about bear encounters in this area, so make sure your bell is working. The trail is very easy to follow, and you should reach the only reliable water source in about 90 minutes or so. You’ll see it on your left via a very short spur trail. The water is safe to drink and there’s also room for 2 or 3 tents in the vicinity. Make sure you buy a “poop bag” at the trailhead so you can (literally) pack out your shit. After the water source, the path flattens out, passing through a marshland called Gokuraku-daira (極楽平). The place is definitely bear territory, so make plenty of noise in order not to startle any bears in the vicinity, Once you’re past this point, the trail starts climbing again with a series of switchbacks. You’ll pass by another water source, but it’s not very reliable. Shortly beyond that the trail enters a rocky gully, where you’ll start the final climb up to Rausu-daira. In early summer this gully is one long, continuous snowfield, but everything should be melted by August. Keep climbing up and eventually you’ll reach a flat area with room for about 5 or 6 tents. This is Rausu-daira, and you can see the rocky summit of Mt. Rausu rising majestically off to your right. It looks so close, but it’ll take you the better part of an hour to reach the top. Most hikers reach Rausu-daira 4 to 5 hours after starting the hike. Continue hiking straight ahead, and soon you’ll reach a 3-way junction. The trail on the left climbs up towards Mitsumine and Io-zan, while the path straight ahead will take you down to Kuma-no-yu hot spring. Ignore both of these trails and turn right for the summit climb. Shortly after passing the junction you’ll find some water dripping from moss-covered rocks. While marked as a water source on the map, I can’t vouch for its quality (although I did see plenty of Japanese hikers indulging themselves). The path meanders through a rocky playground, with plenty of places to refine your boulder scrambling techniques. It’s quite easy to follow in fine weather (thanks to the paint marks), but is definitely gets tricky just below the summit. The scenery is very reminiscent of the Japan Alps, and if the cloud is in then you’ll definitely swear that you’re in Nagano! Anyway, on a clear day the views are outstanding, so bring a camera and admire the vistas. The trail dead-ends at the summit, so retrace your steps back to the junction. You can either set up camp, return back to Iwaobetsu hot spring, or consider traversing down to Kuma-no-yu. I’ve heard the latter trail is rather long, but rewarding with much fewer hikers (and more chances to see bears). While at Iwaobetsu, don’t forget to check out the free outdoor bath, located in front of the hotel at the end of the parking lot. Cross over the small footbridge and you’ll soon find 3 pools cascading down the side of the hill.
Special Note: Bear sightings are common on this hike, so please be prepared. You can rent bear spray from the mountain hut, but it’s not really necessary unless there have been sightings recently. Just bring a bell and make plenty of noise and you should be ok. Also, as of August 2008, it’s not possible to do the full Shiretoko traverse up and over Io-zan because the trail down to Kamuiwakka-yu-no-taki is currently closed for repairs. You can, however, camp at Rausu-daira and do a long up-and-back ascent of Io-zan, which will take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours.
When to go: This hike can be done from early June to early October, though you’ll want to be prepared for a lot of snow if hiking before July. The hike is 12km return, so make sure you get an early start. I’d recommend staying at Kinoshita Hut (木下小屋), a lovely lodge located at the trailhead. It only costs 2000 yen to stay (bring your own food) and it has a wonderful outdoor bath.
Access: From Shiretoko-Shari (知床-斜里) station, walk across the street to the Shari Bus Terminal and catch a bus to Utoro Hot Spring (ウトロ温泉ターミナル). From there, change to a shuttle bus bound for Iwaobetsu Hot Spring (岩尾別温泉). There’s only one bus a day (leaving Utoro at 8:50am), so it’ll probably be better to board the shuttle bus bound for Shiretoko Goko (知床五湖), disembarking at Iwaobetsu (岩尾別) and either walking or hitching the 4km to the trailhead. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Utoro for a money-fleecing 7000 yen! This has to be one of the most expensive taxi rides in all of Japan. Click here for the complete bus schedule. If you’re coming from Sapporo, it makes more sense to take the overnight bus directly to Utoro. Click here for information (in Japanese) on that option.
Map: Click here
Level of difficulty: 4 out of 5 (elevation change 1431m).
Explore posts in the same categories: ArchiveTags: hiking, Hokkaido hikes (北海道), japan, Mt. Rausu, Shiretoko
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Hiking in Japan 
March 24, 2011 at 4:35 pm
This is my favorite hike in all of Japan, Super, duper. If you are keen there is a authentic fish and chips place in Utoro worth checking out as a post hike treat. Its called the Fox cafe.
November 11, 2012 at 11:59 pm
Oh yes Fox cafe is great. Fish and chips with chopsticks!!! it also organizes boat trips along the coast…
May 18, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Hi
Just wondering when you say the water is safe to drink do you mean it doesn’t need to be boiled/filtered/treated first?
Regards
Michelle
May 20, 2013 at 8:39 am
Michelle,
The water source is coming directly from an underground spring, so you don’t need to treat it. If you’re concerned about echinococcus or other parasites then feel free to filter as you see fit. In Hokkaido the danger lies in getting water from open streams. In my experience, if you’re at the source of the spring then you should be ok.
Enjoy Rausu
Wes
May 20, 2013 at 10:17 am
Hi Wes
Thanks heaps for your quick and very helpful response.
My husband and I have been doing overnight hikes for a couple of decades now, but mostly in Australia, US, NZ and Europe. In 2001 we completed a 7300km unsupported hike from Abisko in Sweden to Andalucia in Spain. And in 1996, Carl completed the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico.
This June we will visit Japan for the first time and will spend the entire time hiking in Hokkaido. While the Lonely Planet inspired us to come to Japan, we are finding that it raises some more questions than answers.
I really like your blog though. Your walk profiles are so much more descriptive (and inspiring) than those in the LP. I really like your pictures too. And the functionality of being able to see other readers comments and tips, (can’t wait to check out the Fox Cafe!), and being able to read your answers to readers questions.
I’ve gone through your blog (to check that I don’t ask anything that’s already being asked) and still have some questions. Would you mind if I post these in your general (about this site) area, for others to also see and find your answers easily?
Warm regards
Michelle
P.S. I like your Facebook group also. Very cool.
May 20, 2013 at 5:04 pm
No problem Michelle. I’m glad to help. I know how difficult it can be to get hiking information, so that’s why I set up this site. I had all of this information sitting in my head and not out there where others can use it.
Feel free to post your other questions on the About this site page. No question is too dumb to ask, especially when it involves a country that you are visiting for the first time. Great choice of Hokkaido as well. The forests there are the best in Japan, and the low tree line means you can get alpine views without the sickness!
All the best
Wes
May 20, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Many thanks Wes.
Will post some questions soon on the About this site page.
Cheers
Michelle
September 23, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Hi, wes. Thank you for the detailed information. I’m fr hk and planning to hike up mt rausu in early oct. Glad to come across ur blog while planning
I would like to know if it’s possible to park our car at the parking lot of Iwaobetsu Hot Spring?
also, i would like to know how much it takes for a round-trip hike from the parking lot at Iwaobetsu Hot Spring to the summit and back to the parking lot. thanks a lot!!
September 24, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Halina,
Thanks for checking out my blog.
October is pretty late in the season for climbing Rausu. There’s a good chance there will be fresh snow on the peak. The best way to assess current conditions is to check the Visitor’s Center website. You could try e-mailing or calling them a week or so before your trip to see how much snow there will be on the peak.
This is what the conditions looked like in October 2011
http://rausu-vc.jp/mt_rausu/2011/10/1010.php
The time it takes to climb the mountain will vary depending on your speed and experience. Most people finish in about 7 to 9 hours round trip. It’s not an easy hike.
I hope that answers your questions.
July 9, 2015 at 10:54 pm
Dear Wes,
Thanks so much for your great tips. I’m currently sending link after link to my boyfriend to print at work before we set off on Saturday.
A quick question about the Kinoshita Hut – does one need to book ahead or is it a show up on the day type place? If booking needed, do you have any details?
Thanks!
Antonia
July 9, 2015 at 10:58 pm
No need to book ahead Antonia. I just showed up and got a space in the hut. There’s no food there so you’ll need to bring your own.
July 14, 2015 at 5:54 pm
Dear Wes,
we’re planning to hike the Shiretoko trail next week. I understand that there is a shuttle bus between Kamuiwakka falls (end of the trail) to Shari but it is running only in August…
Can we attempt it anyway and try to hitch hike our way back? is hitchhiking easy in this part of Japan?
Thank you for your help!
Virginie
July 18, 2015 at 9:11 am
Virginie,
Thanks for checking out my website. Yeah, as far as I can tell, the shuttle bus is only in the summer and I believe the road to the falls is actually closed to private vehicles without prior written permission. I’m not sure if you need special permission to climb Iodake or not. The trail between Iodake and Kamuiwakka falls was closed when I climbed Mt. Rausu. I’ve heard it has since reopened but I’m not sure of the condition of the trail. I’ve heard that there are A LOT of bears in the area, so you need to take care. The best place to find out trail information would be the tourist information center in Utoro. Good luck with your trip and let me know how it goes
August 11, 2015 at 4:41 pm
HI Wes,
Thank you for your info. I confirm it is re-opened but there is very limited way to go back from Kamuiwakka falls in July.
There is no shuttle bus and we randomly saw any cars going on this road so we decided to play it safe and climb only Mount Rausu. This was still the highlight of our 12 days in Hokkaido!!!!
Virginie
July 26, 2015 at 2:10 am
Hi, thanks for this great article!
I’m also considering the hike up to Mt. Rausu this September, but according to this website:
http://blog.shiretoko.asia/2014/07/201476.html
the Kinoshita Hut has been closed. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any other information on whether you can still the night there. Do you maybe know anything about this?
July 26, 2015 at 8:26 am
Steffen,
As far as I know, the hut is still open. I think that blog refers to the fact that in 2014, the hut closed in August for the year. The hut is usually only open from June to September usually, but perhaps it shut just after Obon last year? It’s a really nice place to stay with a cozy outdoor bath out back, so I hope they haven’t closed for good. The best way to find out is to cal the hut directly at （０１５２）２４－２８２４
Wes
August 11, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Hi Wes,
yes, you’re right. This information only applied to last year, this year the hut is open until Sept. 27th, as stated here:
http://info.trek-shiretoko.com/?p=1172
That’s perfect, I’m definitely looking forward to stay there!
September 6, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Hello, a friend and I are planning to do hike through from Rausu to Iwaobetsu, spending one night along the trail. We are going to try not to fly with checked luggage, and therefore will not being bringing fuel for a backpacking stove. Do you know if fires are permitted while backpacking, or if it is possible to purchase butane canisters. Otherwise we will look at an alcohol stove option. Thank you!
June 3, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Hey, Wes, I am planning a trip here and trying to hook this hike in with 3-4 other hyakumeizans in Hokkaido in a 9 day window. But you’ve got me really worried about the bears. I will probably buddy up with some Japanese hikers and go together. I wanted to make sure there was still a shuttle bus from Utoro before I bought the 6000 yen ticket from Sapporo to Utoro.