Great Stuff to See and Do!
A mysterious place called “water of the gods” in the Ainu language
On the Shiretoko Peninsula, there is a place where hot springs gush out and flow as a river. This is the Kamuiwakka River, which originates from Mt. Iou, part of the Shiretoko mountain range. “Kamuiwakka” means “water of the gods” in the language of the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido, and refers to an area about 10 km from the Shiretoko Goko Lakes, along a forest road surrounded by primeval forest. Mt. Iou is the only volcano in the world that spews molten sulfur, and is one of the world’s three most unusual volcanoes. About 400 to 500m upstream from the entry to the Kamuiwakka River, approx. 70°C hot springs flow into the waterfall basin, which has attracted attention as a mysterious place that acts as a natural open-air bath.
Activities to truly experience the power of the Earth
One of the activities that allows visitors to fully experience the charms of Shiretoko is Kamuiwakka Hot Falls Climbing, a climb up the river while crossing several small waterfalls. This activity is only available in the summer, and requires advance reservations. The journey is approx. 400m one way, with an elevation difference of about 80m, and the water temperature rises as you make your way upstream, from around 25°C at the starting point to about 35-38°C at the end. Climbing up the river, being surrounded by primeval forest, and getting splashed by the warm water is an experience that enables you to truly connect with the mysteries of the Earth and that can only be experienced here.
