Shari
Shari (斜里町) is a town on the northern coast of Hokkaido, Japan.
Understand
Shari is east of Abashiri and west of Shiretoko National Park. In fact, the village of Utoro, a part of this area, is one of the two gateways to the national park.
- 1 [formerly dead link] Utoro & Shiretoko Michi no Eki (斜里町道の駅うとろ・シリエトク Shari michi no eki utoro shiretoku), Utoro Nishi 186-8, Shari (On Highway 334 in central Utoro, a few hundred meters SW of the major hotels.), ☏ +81 152 22-5000. This rest area has a gift shop, visitor desk with maps and information, and large parking lot. If you're headed into Shiretoko National Park, it would be better to go to the park visitor center, but if you're wandering through Utoro, this is a good starting point.
- [formerly dead link] Michi no Eki Shari (道の駅しゃり), 本町３７ (1 block NE of JR Shiretokoshari Station.), ☏ +81 152 26-8888. Information daily 9AM-7PM, restrooms 24h. This small rest area is located in downtown Shari. Though quiet in the evening, it is a useful information stop during the day.
Get in
Shari can be reached by car, bus, or train. That being said, having a car once you're in Shari is highly desirable, so renting one in Abashiri is a reasonable idea.
Get around
Traveling by car is recommended. It is also not uncommon to see bicyclists and motorcyclists.
See
- Oshinkoshin Waterfalls (オシンコシンの滝 Oshinkoshin no taki) (By the roadside on the way to the hostel.). A more ordinary but still impressive set of waterfalls.
Do
Utoro, a seaside village with hotels, seafood, and onsen, is the main attraction in this area.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- [dead link] Shiretoko Shari Club (しれとこクラブ), ☏ +81 152 23-1844. Very friendly staff who speak some English. There is also a restaurant on the premises. Single ¥5100.
- [formerly dead link] Shiretoko Noble Hotel (知床ノーブルホテル), 3 Utoro Higashi, Shari (2 minutes walk from Utoro Bus Terminal.), ☏ +81 152 22-5211. New hotel with tasty seafood at its restaurant. Room with 2 meals ¥8500.
Connect
Go next
- Visit Abashiri and see its icebergs and prison museum.
- Go hiking in Shiretoko National Park, famous for Mt. Rausu and its large bear population.