10 Things to Do in Shari
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| 10 Things to Do in Shari |
Shari (斜里町) is a picturesque town in Hokkaido’s Okhotsk Subprefecture, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife. Its name is believed to originate from the Ainu word “Sar,” meaning “reed field,” which refers to the area downstream of the present-day Shari River.
For those planning to visit this picturesque
town to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Shari:
1. Take a photo of Shari's manhole cover
designs. So far, I've come across two unique designs. The colored manhole cover
design is installed at the Utoro-Shirietoko Roadside Station, while the other
one is commonly seen throughout the town proper.
2. Capture a photo of Shari's Pokémon
manhole cover, located in the grounds of Utoro-Shirietoko Roadside Station. The
design showcases Vulpix and Palkia.
3. Visit Shari Shrine (斜里神社), the town's main shrine, located in the heart of the town. Before, it was said that you can get a goshuin here for your collection but the shrine recently does not do it anymore.
4. Visit Shari Roadside Station (道の駅 しゃり). It is one of the two roadside stations of the town. This one is located in the heart of the town proper. You can see a Neputa, or a festival lantern, displayed inside the roadside station. There is also a souvenir store and snack shop here. If you collect roadside station stamps, then be sure to include this place in your itinerary.

Utoro-Shirietoko Roadside Station
5. Visit the Utoro-Shirietoko Roadside Station (道の駅 うとろ・シリエトク). It is one of the two roadside stations of the town. This one is located at the Utoro District of Shari, far from its town center. It is next to the Shiretoko World Heritage Center. There is a souvenir shop and tourist information center inside the roadside station worth checking out. If you collect roadside station stamps, then be sure to include this place in your itinerary. Aside from that, you would also see the Shari Pokémon manhole cover and the Shari colored manhole cover design displayed in the roadside station grounds.
6. Visit the Shari Town Shiretoko Museum (斜里町立知床博物館)—one of the best places to explore the rich cultural and natural history of the region. This well-curated local museum offers fascinating exhibits on Shari’s early settlers, indigenous Ainu culture, the area's diverse wildlife, and the development of the Shiretoko Peninsula. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the deep roots and heritage of this scenic town.
7. Capture a photo of Sandan Falls (三段の滝). It is one of Shari’s most scenic and picturesque waterfalls. Its natural beauty makes it well worth a visit.
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| Road to the Sky |
8. Drive to the farthest end of the 28-kilometer stretch of the Road to the Sky (天に続く道), also called Road to the Heavens, located at the Minehama area of the town, and take a photo of National Road 334 as it appears to be going to the heavens.
9. See one of Hokkaido’s most beautiful waterfalls – Oshinkoshin Falls (オシンコシンの滝). It is located along National Road 334 in the Shiretoko Peninsula. It has a free parking area and a souvenir shop. If you collect stamps, then don’t forget to bring your stamp pad when visiting the souvenir shop.
10. Explore the Shiretoko Five Lakes (知床五湖) area and make sure to visit all 5 of its lakes. This scenic place is located inside the Shiretoko National Park (知床国立公園). Since this place is a protected habitat of bears, during the bear season, you are required to hire a guide to explore the five lakes. Be sure to bring a bear bell or bear spray with you as there is a chance that you would spot one in the park.
I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Shari gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this picturesque town in the Okhotsk Subprefecture of Hokkaido.
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