2004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPAN4i. Visitor facilities and statistics
Approximately 2,340,000 visitors (in 2001) visit Shiretoko National Parkand its surrounding area every year. Approximately 1,650,000 tourists
visit the Shari-side while some 700,000 visit the Rausu-side (Table 4-2).
July to October is the peak season, but some 300,000 come to see thepack ice in winter (January to March) (Table 4-3).

Management

Table 4-2 Number of visitors to the Shiretoko National Park (1992-2001)
YearVisitors

1992

2,370,000

1993

2,330,000

1994

2,490,000

1995

2,240,000

1996

2,250,000

1997

2,350,000

1998

2,420,000

1999

2,420,000

2000

2,260,000

2001

2,340,000

Table 4-3 Number of visitors by month (2001)
MonthVisitors

April

54,000May

142,000

June

225,000

July

369,000

August513,000

September

379,000

October

308,000

November

43,000December

32,000January

32,000February

146,000

March

92,000Popular activities for visitors include nature walks to the Shiretoko-goko
lakes and Kamuiwakka, trekking around Lake Rausu, sightseeing from
Shiretoko pass and climbing in the Shiretoko mountain range. In recentyears, the range of activities has widened to include sea-kayaking andfishing. In addition, there are an increasing number of guided tours suchas nature interpretation and guided trekking and sea-kayaking.
The details of the visitors’ facilities are provided below.

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4i.1 Interpretations and explanations by trails, guides,
notices and publications
4i.1.1 Trails
The following trails including climbing routes and nature trails areprovided in the nominated site. These trails are managed by the relevant
agencies.
4i.1.1.1 Climbing routes• Mt. Rausu climbing route
This is the climbing route that reaches the Mt. Rausu (altitude: 1,661 m)
which is the main peak in the Shiretoko mountain range. There are
entry points at Rausu hot spring and Iwaobetsu hot spring. The vertical
distribution of vegetation from the mixed forest on the mountainside to
Erman’s birch Betula ermanii forests and the Japanese stone pine Pinus
pumila zone can be observed along the trail. It is estimated that some
10,000 climbers use this route from April to November with the peakseason from July to September.

Management• Mt. Iou climbing routeMt. Iou (altitude: 1,563 m) is a globally rare volcano that ejected molten
sulfur in the eruption in 1936. Volcanic gases are still seen at the crateron the mountainside and there are deposits of crystallized sulfur in thesurrounding area. The gravel beds and rocky soil near the peak are ahabitat for the endemic Viola kitamiana. It is estimated that some 1,000
climbers use the route during the period from June to October.
• Shiretoko mountain range traverse route
The traverse route connects Mt. Rausu and Mt. Iou and climbers canclearly observe the double ridgeline of the mountain chain from theroute. It is an interesting route filled with scenic points such as
vegetation surrounding snow patches, plants growing on gravel beds,
communities of marsh plants and patterned ground. It is estimated thatsome 500 climbers use this route from May to October with the peakseason from July to August.

Trails photo by Ministry of the Environment

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2004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPAN• Lake Rausu walking trail
Lake Rausu is a naturally dammed lake situated at the northeasternbase of Mt. Chinishibetsu at an altitude of about 700 meters. Theperimeter of the lake is six kilometers. The area is a scenic alpine spot
for sightseeing with several ponds and swamps in the surrounding area
as well as rare alpine plants and communities of marsh plants. Some
2,000 tourists use the trail from June to October with the peak seasonfrom July to September.
4i.1.1.2 Nature trails• Rausu hot spring nature trail
The strolling path situated in the Rausu hot spring facility complex isused as a convenient trail near accommodation for activities such as
forest walks and nature observation.
• Kumagoeno waterfall nature trail
It is a nature trail leading to the Kumagoeno waterfall (a major scenic
spot on the Rausu-side). Tourists can visit the small but dynamic
waterfall as well as observe buttercup sp. Ranunculus nipponicus var.
submersus and dolly varden Salvelinus malma in the clear streams.

Management• Shiretoko-goko lakes circling route
Shiretoko-goko lakes is a group of five lakes fed by groundwater in thevirgin forest on the Iwaobetsu tableland. With approximately 600,000
tourists visiting the lake every year, it is one of the key tourist
attractions in Shiretoko. The route circles the five lakes and thesceneries of the virgin forest, lakes and reservoirs and the Shiretoko
mountain range is excellent.
• Horobetsu trail (Furepe waterfall trail)
It is a nature trail reaching the Furepe waterfall which has no motherriver and cascades directly into the ocean. Along the trail, visitors canenjoy the scenic view of the Shiretoko mountain range and the sheer
cliffs along the seashore as well as opportunities to encounter wildlife
such as Yezo sika deer.
4i.1.2 Guides, notices and publications
Along the above nature trails, there are interpretive panels illustrating
information on wildlife and geological history. Guided visits and tours
are also on the increase in recent years.
In addition to activities on nature trails, guides also provide a wide rangeof services such as guiding along climbing routes especially on the Lake
Rausu trail, observation of white-tailed eagle and Steller’s sea eagle fromships in winter, walking on sea ice, sea kayak tours and observing thenatural spawning of salmon and trout.
In addition, there are guide maps that cover the information on most ofthe above trails as well as publications such as brochures andguidebooks that introduce the wildlife of Shiretoko.

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4i.2 Site museums, and visitor or interpretation centers4i.2.1 Rausu Visitor Center
Rausu visitor center was developed in 1983 by the Environment Agency(currently, the Ministry of the Environment) in order to introduce thenatural environment of Shiretoko. In addition to exhibition facilities,
services provided include: interpretation of exhibition for visitors;
instructions on the utilization of the park; providing information onnature; guides to the nature of the surrounding area by park volunteers,etc.; researches on natural environment and wildlife, etc. (Table 4-4)
Table 4-4 Number of visitors to the Rausu Visitor CenterNo. of visitors to the Rausu Visitor Center1993

7,931

1994

7,190

1995

8,410

1996

7,492

1997

8,866

1998

10,5981999

11,419

2000

7,698

2001

7,884

2002

7,576

Rausu visitor center photo by TAZAWA MichihiroManagement

Fiscal Year

Address: 388 Yunosawa, Rausu town, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido
Size: Single story reinforced concrete structure, 364 square meters
Facilities: Exhibition room, lecture rooms, conference rooms, restrooms
Number of staff: two employees, 34 park volunteers

4i.2.2 Shiretoko Nature Center
The Shiretoko Nature Center which is a museum developed by Sharitown in 1988 is situated on the Shari town side of the national park
entrance. It provides services including a dynavision theater for visualpresentations, nature information, instructions on utilization of the park,and guided nature interpretations as well as conducting research into thenatural environment and activities related to wildlife management. In
addition, there is a restaurant and kiosk (Table 4-5).
Table 4-5 Number of visitors to Shiretoko Nature Center (dynavision audience)
Fiscal Year

Number of dynavision audience

1993

119,062

1994

116,337

1995

92,8901996

125,576

1997

103,277

1998

114,249

1999

87,438

2000

68,191

2001

64,302

2002

55,884
Shiretoko Nature Center
photo by Shiretoko Nature Foundation

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2004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPAN

Address: 531 Iwaobetsu, Shari town, Shari-gun, Hokkaido
Size: Steel reinforced concrete structure; 1,707 square meters
Facilities: Theater room, exhibition rooms, information booth, restaurant, kiosk, restrooms
Number of staff: 24 employees

4i.3 Over night accommodations
Visitors’ facilities can be categorized into the Rausu town side group andthe Shari town side group.
As for the accommodation in the Rausu town side, there are three hotels
and two family-run inns within the nominated site and five hotels or
Japanese-style hotels as well as 17 family-run inns outside the site. Total
capacity for the entire area is approximately 1,100 guests per day.
As for camping grounds, in addition to the Rausu hot spring camping
ground in the nominated site, there are two campsites run by Rausu
town outside the site. Total capacity is approximately 600 campers perday. The total number of overnight guests has been fairly stable in thepast few years; likewise the trend in the number of visitors to the area.

Management

On the other hand, in the Shari town side, there is a hotel, a youth hostel
and a mountain lodge within the nominated site. However, the major
location for accommodation is in the Utoro area which is outside thenominated site. In Utoro area, there are nine hotels or Japanese-style
hotels as well as 16 family-run inns and the total capacity for the entire
area is approximately 5,500 guests per day. In addition, there are twocampsites (private and nationally owned) outside the nominated site andtheir capacity is approximately 700 campers per day. The number ofovernight visitors is fairly stable at 600,000 guests in recent years(Table 4-6).
Table 4-6 Number of overnight guests
Fescal Year

Rausu town

Shari town

Total

1993

60,852586,269

647,121

1994

59,172615,767

674,9391995

54,889535,628

590,517

1996

55,853552,986

608,839

1997

68,949616,439

685,388

1998

57,275664,321721,596

1999

50,469651,173701,642

2000

37,113

592,548

629,661

2001

37,142614,747

651,889

2002

37,879596,340634,2194i.4 Restaurants and refreshment facilities
Within the nominated site, there is one eating establishment in Rausu
town and are two in Shari town.

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4i.5 Parking facilities
There are three parking facilities on the Rausu town side and two on theShari town side within the nominated site. There is a total capacity for
48 large coaches and 225 private cars.

4i.6 Public restrooms
There are five public restrooms on the Rausu town side and two on theShari town side within the nominated site.

4j. Property management plan andobjectives

Management

The management plan was developed to ensure that the naturalenvironment of the nominated site is conserved effectively for future
generations. The objective is to implement adequate and effective
management for the nominated site by realizing close cooperation
among the governmental agencies, local governments and other relatedorganizations and bodies. The plan clarifies the basic policies for
operation of the systems and promotion of programs. The full text of themanagement plan is included in Appendix 4-A. An overview of themanagement plan is below.

4j.1 Framework and systems for the management
A comprehensive administration scheme is to be implemented for theterrestrial and marine area taking into account the various systems suchas the Onnebetsudake Wilderness Area, the Shiretoko National Parkand the Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Reserve described in 4c.
The plan aims to facilitate close collaboration among the government
agencies (Ministry of the Environment, Forestry Agency and Hokkaido
prefectural government including the branch offices) , localmunicipalities and other related organizations in charge of various
systems as well as to promote the participation and cooperation fromlocal residents and related bodies in order to enhance the effectivenessof the management.
Therefore, the “Shiretoko Nominated Site Regional Liaison Committee”(Regional Liaison Committee) was established for discussion andcoordination among the above government agencies and related bodies
in the management of the nominated site. In addition, a council
consisting of experts from relevant fields is to be established to provide
scientific advice with the collaboration and cooperation with theRegional Liaison Committee in order to assess the status of the naturalenvironment of the nominated site and to adopt appropriate measures
based on scientific data.

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2004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPAN4j.2 Basic policies for the management
4j.2.1 Conservation of the virgin condition
A particular attention is to be given to conserve the virgin nature ofShiretoko for future generations.
4j.2.2 Comprehensive management of the terrestrial andmarine area
• A monitoring program is to be conducted on the integration andsoundness of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of thenominated site. When there are any indications of changes that may
affect the natural environment, recovery measures are to bereviewed and implemented based on the scientific survey andanalysis.
• A system to facilitate collaboration and cooperation among relevant
agencies, related bodies and researchers is to be established.
Information sharing as well as developing and securing of humanresources is to be accommodated for survey, research andmonitoring projects.

Management

4j.2.3 Core and Buffer areas• The basic policy on conservation for the Core area is focused onallowing nature to follow its natural transition without humanintervention.
• According to need, certain activities are to be restricted in theBuffer area. In particular, any activity that may have impact on thenatural environment in the Core area is to be strictly controlled.
4j.2.4 Coexistence with primary industries• The fishery industry in Shiretoko is to realize sustainable use ofmarine resources by taking necessary measures to assure
coexistence with the wildlife of Shiretoko.
• There is no forestry activity for timber production conducted within
the National Forests. Although there is a small area of privately
owned forests within the site, forestry activities are taking to forest
management operations such as planned tree thinning which takes
into account the virgin natural landscape.
4j.2.5 Appropriate utilization of nature• Activities such as sightseeing, nature exploration and fishing will beappropriately conducted without impacting on the naturalenvironment. Specific restrictions and rules will be imposed
according to need. The measures are to be implemented to realize
the conservation of the virgin natural environment and promotion of
tourism which is the local major industry.
• Studies are to be continued to determine appropriate types of ecotourism which takes account the natural environment while
facilitating development of the local area.

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4j.3 Management Plan

Management• Conservation of the terrestrial ecosystem and natural landscape.
(Conservation and management of wild fauna and flora, preservationof the natural landscape, conservation of the river environment, andmeasures against exotic species)• Conservation of the marine area.
(Management of fishery resources, conservation of marine
mammals and seabirds, and anti-pollution measures against marine
oil spills, etc.)• Appropriate usage of the natural environment(Establishment of “Shiretoko Rules” which is pertinent to utilizationof the virgin nature of Shiretoko, capacity building of nature guides,
and providing information and awareness programs, etc.)• Conservation and management programs(Inspections by related government agencies, restoration ofvegetation, and elimination of exotic species)• Research, survey and monitoring activities(Implementation of research, survey and monitoring activities forwild fauna and flora, landscape, exotic species, marine ecosystem,
and usage levels, and Creation of a database using GIS)

4j.4 Implementation of the plan
• A council consisting of experts from relevant fields is to beestablished to provide scientific advice with collaboration andcooperation with the Regional Liaison Committee in order to review
the status of the natural environment of the nominated site and toadopt appropriate measures based on scientific data.
• With regard to details on the management of the naturalenvironment and measures against specific issues, studies are to beconducted taking into consideration results of monitoring projects torealize appropriate administration of the nominated site. In thisprocess, the Regional Liaison Committee contributes in establishinga consensus with the input and suggestions from local residents,related bodies and experts in relevant fields.
• Cooperative relationships are to be created with local citizens’
groups in order to promote activities that involve the localcommunity.
• The management plan is to be reviewed taking into account theresults of the natural environment monitoring projects and changes
in the social environment.

892004 WORLD HERITAGE LIST NOMINATION ● JAPAN4k. Staffing levels
The following sections details the number of staff engaged inprofessional, engineering and maintenance positions for the nominatedsite.

4k.1 Ministry of the Environment
The staff of the East Hokkaido Regional Office for Nature Conservation
includes a general manager, manager and several staff for each of thedivisions of General Affairs, Park Protection, Facility Management,Wildlife Management and Ecosystem Conservation. As a result, there
are a total of 17 members responsible for protection and management ofthe nominated site.
In addition, there are Ranger Offices for Nature Conservation at Utoroand Rausu staffed with two rangers and one ranger respectively for fieldmanagement activities.

Management

Furthermore, a total of 34 volunteer rangers (as of October 24, 2003)
work in Rausu area using the Rausu Visitor Center as the base.

4k.2 Forestry Agency
At the Planning and Coordination Division in the Hokkaido Regional
Forest Office and at the Guidance and Planning Division II and III in theKitami and Obihiro Branch Offices of the Hokkaido Regional Forest
Office, there are five, six and nine staff respectively who are in charge ofconservation and management of the nominated site.
In addition, there are five, 16 and 14 staff respectively at the Shiretoko
Forest Center, Abashiri South District Forest Office and Konsen East
District Forest Office that are the outpost agencies of the above BranchOffices.
Furthermore, there are Forest Ranger Offices at Utoro, Minehama andRausu and a total of two forest rangers, one ranger at Minehama (whoholds a concurrent post at Utoro) and one ranger at Rausu.

4k.3 Hokkaido prefectural government
There is a total of four staff, who are in charge of conservation andmanagement of the nominated site, at the Natural Environment Division,
Office of Environmental Affairs, Department of Environment andLifestyle, Hokkaido. In addition, there are 10 staff in charge of thenominated site at the Environment and Lifestyle Division and Fishery
Division in the Abashiri Subprefectural Office, 11 staff at theEnvironment and Lifestyle Division and Fishery Division in the Nemuro
Subprefectural Office and two staff at the Eastern Hokkaido Wildlife
Research Station in Hokkaido Institute of Environmental Sciences.
Furthermore, there are one staff at the Counselor of Culture Division,
Lifelong-learning Department, Education Agency, Hokkaido, two staff at
Abashiri Education Office, and two staff at Lifelong-learning Division,Nemuro Education Office.
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4k.4 Shari town
There are two staff, who are in charge of conservation and managementof the nominated site, at the Environment Conservation Division of Sharitown and 24 staff at the Shiretoko Nature Foundation. In addition, theShari town Education Board has five staff at the Shiretoko Museum andfive Natural Monument Guardians.

4k.5 Rausu town
The Environment Division, Rausu town has six staff, who are in chargeof conservation and management of the nominated site, including themanager. In addition, Rausu town Education Board has one staff as themanager of the Local History Office and five Natural Monument
Guardians.

4k.6 Natural Parks Foundation, Shiretoko BranchManagement

There are 11 staff in charge of conservation and management of thenominated site at the Natural Parks Foundation, Shiretoko Branch.

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