Utoro (ウトロ)

Utoro (ウトロ) is the largest and only sizable town along the western coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Located at the entrance to the national park, it serves as a transportation hub and is the boarding point for sightseeing boat tours up the peninsula's coast.

Utoro is blessed with natural hot spring water and offers a range of accommodation from simple minshuku to large onsen ryokan. While the town's coastal area retains the atmosphere of a small fishing village, a short walk up the hill brings you into the hot spring area where the numerous, large onsen ryokan are located.

Several large rocks stand along the shores of Utoro. The most spectacular of them is the Oronko Rock, which stands 60 meters high just next to the harbor. A small path leads up to the top of the rock, from where you can enjoy nice views of the town and coast.