English Translation of Coastal Pilot for Shiretoko Kayakers

Coast Pilot for Shiretoko Kayakers

Foreword
This booklet is a revised edition of kayak guide Akio Shinya's 2004 hydrographic journal, created for paddlers wishing to kayak around the Shiretoko Peninsula. It was compiled to clarify how Shiretoko National Park should be utilized and to shed light on responsibilities and safety issues that arise when actually recreating within the park. Please contact the following facilities for a hardcopy of the booklet.

Rausu Town
Shiretoko World Heritage Rusa Field House (0153-89-2722)
Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center (0153-87-2828)

Shari Utoro
Shiretoko Nature Center (0152-24-2114)

Please strictly adhere to the Shiretoko Peninsula Cape Area Rules of Use

This booklet is available at the following facilities. Staff are available to give a lecture on the use of the Shiretoko Peninsula Cape Area (hereinafter referred to as the "Cape Area") to those who wish to access the Cape Area.

Shiretoko Peninsula Cape Area Rules of Use Website

Shirecoco

https://www.env.go.jp/park/shiretoko/guide/sirecoco/

More information about Cape Area recreational activities and brown bear precautions are available on the Shirecoco site.

Planning

Putting in and landing
In Hokkaido, a bylaw prohibits the use of fishing ports by kayak. Please avoid using Aidomari and Utoro fishing ports except in an emergency.

Are you aware of the weather?
Shiretoko Peninsula has challenging weather conditions even in summer. Before setting out, please check weather information such as wind direction, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure patterns.

Is your plan feasible in the allotted time?
There are virtually no overland escape routes on the Peninsula. Plan your trip with extra days up your sleeve.

Appropriate clothing
The sea is cold around the Shiretoko Peninsula. Rain will be cold. Rain gear should prioritise waterproof performance and insulation. Prevent losing body heat due to getting wet.

Water and emergency food
Bring sufficient quantities of food and water in case you have to remain on land for an extended period of time due to bad weather. You may be forced to land in coves or on beaches with no water sources. Always have plenty of drinking water to spare.

PDF, spray skirts, spare paddles, and boat buoyancy
Please carefully inspect your equipment.

There is no cell phone reception on the Shiretoko Peninsula. FM radio weather reports can be used to draw your own weather map.

Maps
Even when using GPS or other electronic devices, carry paper topographic maps with you.

Float Plans
We recommend paddlers to submit a written float plan to the Coast Guard Office in advance*. Incidents where rescue is required will inevitably involve local fishing community assitance; a float plan will reduce inconvenience to the local community.

*Translator's note: Float plans can be emailed (sasaki-w98wr@mlit.go.jp) or faxed (0153-87-5013) to the Japan Coastguard Rausu Office 羅臼海上保安署.

Brown bear countermeasures
Shiretoko is home to a large population of brown bears, especially in the Cape Area. On page 9 we describe how to prevent encounters with brown bears at encampments and what to do if you do encounter one.

Other wildlife
Besides the brown bear, another troublesome presence is the fox. They are unafraid of humans and will break into tents to steal food and equipment. Foxes that have experienced successful raids on humans' camps in the past will do so again and again.

The communities' request to kayakers

Shiretoko is full of boats. On the Rausu side, kelp harvesting is conducted early in the morning by boats under 1 ton. On both the Rausu and Utoro sides, fixed net fishing boats (17-19 tons) are operating constantly. In addition, small and large sightseeing boats cruise the coast of Utoro. Kayakers should always stay as close as is practical to the shoreline to avoid disturbing or obstructing these vessels.

Just because you can see a fishing boat doesn’t mean the fishing boat has seen you.

If a fisher calls out to you while you are kayaking, please respond. In the event that you need assitance on the water, it's local fishermen and tourist boats that will be rescuing you. To local commercial vessels just trying to go about their work, recreational kayakers are nothing but a nuisance. As kayakers, we need to be aware of our responsibility not to get in the way and cause disruptions.

Be sure to ask permission before using any fishing operations' access ramps or beaches.

Stay away from fixed gear nets, gill nets and other fishing installations. Unless absolutely necessary, do not approach private ramps, fishing huts, or other fishing facilities.

Do not tie kayaks up to fishing nets when fishing, and do not catch fish caught in fixed nets. Do not camp near fishing huts or fishing gear.

On-water Precautions

Vessels may appear from behind cliffs and points at high speed.

Kayaking is a marine recreation activity. Seamanship rules and norms must be followed on the water. Kayakers are expected to avoid doing anything that might cause anxiety to others on the water, and not to do anything that could lead to an accident. In the Shiretoko Goko Cliffs vicinity, and the vicinity of the Kamuiwakka Waterfall, keep close to shore while being aware of falling rocks. If you see a vessel approaching when kayaking in a group, gather the group and together stay in one place. Groups should never paddle far offshore in a long line; doing so impedes commercial vessels' paths. After rounding headlands, be sure to head straight into bays, rather than cutting across. This is to prevent collisions and to avoid wind hazards.

Paddling in rough seas with strong winds is dangerous. Paddling close to shore is important in Shiretoko to avoid strong offshore katabatic winds, but this also means navigating through dangerous reefs (hidden rocks, boomers).

Vessels enter and exit fishing ports at high speed. When passing the entrance to ports, cross quickly as a pod, not in a long line.

On-water Precautions
There is a freedom in paddling on the sea; paddling alone is not inherently something that should be denied to the solitary paddler. Kayaking alone, however, is always dangerous because you are alone. When a sole paddler has an accident, noone knows. In order to protect the very freedom we have to kayak in the Shiretoko National Park, please try to avoid kayaking alone.

Kayaking in groups is good because groups can help each other in emergency rescues.

Weather Characteristics of Shiretoko

The Shiretoko Peninsula is a mountain range jutting out into the sea. Rausu (1661m), Io-zan (1562.3m), and Shiretoko-dake (1254.3m) act as barriers to atmospheric flows, which sometimes become strong gusty winds that blow down from the saddle through the valley to the sea.

Southeasterly winds blowing from the Rusha Passage into the Ruscha River basin and surrounding areas are called the Rusha-dashi. When the Rusha-dashi gale is strong, it's effect can be felt as far as the Tako-iwa and Ubushinotta-gawa areas, creating whilwinds and plumes of sea spray. Paddling in such conditions is dangerous. When the Okhotsk high pressure system builds up, the skies over Shiretoko area will be clear, but the seas will be enveloped in whirlwinds. Dangerous winds are not limited to the offshore winds of Rusha. Depending on the atmospheric pressure pattern, strong downdraft winds can occur anywhere.

When southerly winds blow, the sea on the Rausu side is prone to fog, and during the day the sea becomes choppy. When northerly winds prevail, choppy conditions can persist on both the Utoro and Rausu sides.

It's dangerous to cut across large bays as this involves time considerably offshore. It might be the shortest distance to cut across bays, but always paddle close to the shoreline, even if it takes longer.

If wind and waves are forecast, wait until they subside before setting off for the day. Before setting off, be sure to confirm one's planned destination as well as feasible locations to shelter from conditions.

Depending on the tides, it may not be possible to get to protected navigable channels. One way to avoid having to paddle offshore in these circumstances is to carry your kayak across reefs to the safer protected channels.

Brown bear hazards

Brown bears can appear anywhere along the coastline of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Bear spray is essential. If you see bears in the area where you want to land, please paddle to the next landing site if possible. Be aware that brown bears are good swimmers.

Even after landing, please be aware that brown bears may be present, so clap your hands or make noise with a bell or whistle, to alert them to your presence.

Do not panic if you encounter a brown bear on shore. Keep bear spray in your hand and be ready to fire it at the brown bear at any time. Do not hesitate to spray the bear if it comes within 3-5 meters of you.

During the salmon and trout runs (August to November), brown bears frequently appear at the mouth of rivers in search of fish. Don't camp close to river mouths.

From spring to early summer, you may encounter bears swimming out to rocks to prey on the nests of sea birds.

Brown bear precautions while camping
Keep your tents, eating, and cooking areas far apart from each other (50 meters or more is ideal). Any food scraps from cooking or eating should be taken with you. Bags containing food scraps should be tightly sealed to prevent odors from leaking out. It would be unthinkable for humans to feed bears; leaving food on beaches and/or bears raiding tents is essentially the same thing as feeding them. Never do this. Doing so creates extremely dangerous brown bears that will stalk and attack humans and tents.

Food and Trash Storage Methods
Hang in a tree | At least 4 meters high and out of reach of brown bears that might climb the tree.
Use bear-proof food containers and keep them away from tents | Even when using food containers, make sure that garbage and food are completely sealed to prevent odors from leaking out, before placing them inside the container.

We recommend that food and food scraps be stored inside bear-proof portable food containers and away from tents. In the past, there have been incidents where brown bears have entered tents of paddlers who stored food in their tents.

For brown bear-related information, in addition to refering to the Shirecoco website, please check the bulletin boards in visitor centers and pay attention to information at visitor centre lectures. If you have any encounters, please also provide information to visitor centers after your trip.

Coast Pilot for Shiretoko Kayakers

Utoro/Okhostk Side

1. Utoro Port
Extremely frequent tourist and fishing boat traffic. Kayakers should practice extreme caution. Hokkaido bylaws prohibit the use of fishing ports by kayakers.

2. Horobetsu River Mouth
Managed by fixed-gear fisheries. Entry is prohibited (no access for put-in or take-out).

3. Approaching Iwaubetsu River
Very scenic coastal features. Do not obstruct commercial tourist boats.

4. Iwaubetsu River
Salmon hatchery just inland from the beach. Stony beach in winter, sandy beach in summer. Sea bed depth drops very quickly from the beach; large, descructive boomers can form. Take caution when landing. Cannot be used as a put-in, and should not be used for camping..

5. Five Lakes Cliffs (Goko-no-Dangai)
A series of scenic cliffs. Do not disturb seabird colonies. Beware of rockfall, unstable cliffs, and other vessels. Avoid unnecessary landings.

6. Mamushi-no-hama (local name)
Literally Pit-viper Beach. A stony beach surrounded on two sides by cliffs, with Goko Cliffs to the south and Idashubetsu River to the north. Low probability of encountering brown bears here. As such, it's a good camping location. Water is available at the base of the bluffs at the end of the beach towards Utoro. Beware of rockfall around the cliffs, including the spring. Pit vipers can sometimes be found sunning in bushland below the cliffs. Mamushi Beach is a relatively sheltered emergency escape option in the case of rough sea conditions. Best landing point is closer to the cape.

7. Idashubetsu River
Landing here can be dangerous in rough conditions due to surrounding topographical features. Brown bears common; take care in selection of camp location.

8. Iroiro River (local name)
Located between the Idashubetsu and Kamuiwakka Rivers. River water can be consumed after treatment (boiled/purified). Suitable for camping, but prone to visits by brown bears.

9. Kamuiwakka Falls
A large coastal waterfall. The water is not suitable for drinking because it contains sulfur. Sulfur in the water stains the surrounding sea emerald green. Frequent tourist vessel traffic in the area; kayakers should stay shoreward in the bay to avoid commercial vessel traffic. In front of the waterfall are remains of a WWII kitchen and wooden pier. Landing or camping in the bay is not encouraged. The beach closest to the cape can be used as shelter from strong northerly winds, but there is no water source.

10. Io River
The river mouth is deep in the bay, so it's suitable as a landing spot. River water is not drinkable due to its high sulfur content.

11. Ubushinotta River
The stony beach here is long but steep. Landing is difficult when the sea is rough. From the Ubushinotta River to the Takino River, landing is prohibited.

12. Ponputa River to Pombetsu River
The Shiretoko-rindo forestry road descends to the coast here. In places, the shoreline is protected by reefs, allowing options for emergency escape from worsening sea conditions. This area is a good interim landing site when the "Rusha-dashi" offshore downdraft winds are strong. Brown bears are common.

13. Rusha and Teppanbetsu River
Stay close to shore here when offshore downdraft winds are strong. Paddling can be extremely dangerous in bad sea conditions or when large waves are breaking close to shore. Kayakers should never paddle offshore in this area. Do not land or camp in the Rusha area.

14. No. 19 Banya and Takinoshita Banya
No. 19 Banya is located near the Teppanbetsu River Cape. Takinoshita Banya is a fishing hut at the mouth of the Takino River. Do not disturb fishery operations when passing through the area. Take care not to paddle into or across set nets in the area.

15. Tako-iwa
Literally Octopus Rock. There's a cove just behind the rock which is suitable for landing. Brown bears are common in the cove; camp away from the stream. Bears in this area often have cubs. Bears have been observed falling from cliffs here when preying on gull eggs. This cove can be suitable for waiting for Rusha-dashi winds to subside after rounding Cape Shiretoko (if paddling counter-clockwise around the peninsula).

16. Kashuni Waterfall
Falls directly into the water. Possible to paddle under the waterfall when water volume is low (dangerous when volume is high). When the waterfall is being blown sideways, it's an indicator that the wind is blowing at more than 15m/s; it's best to land in this case. There is a good landing site and a cave about 500m from the waterfall towards the cape. Beware of falling rocks.

17. Kaparuwatara
Suitable for landing. Shoreward channels in the reef are navigable by kayaks.

18. Shiretoko River to Potopirabetsu River
Beware of falling rocks from the upper cliffs. Outstanding views of Shiretoko's primeval landscape here. There are spots on the shoreline suitable for landing.

19. Okicchiushi River and Kannon-iwa Rock
Commonly referred to as Retarawatara. From the Okicchiushi River to Kannon-iwa Rock, it's possible to paddle in sheltered channels near the shore in rough conditions. Concealed reefs jut out into the sea here, and can form large dangerous waves. The channel near the Okicchiushi River has a fast tide. Brown bears are common near the mouth of the river. Select campsites carefully.

20. Kaizoku-wan (local name)
Literally Pirate Cove. Towards Itashubewatara Cape, just beyond Aunmoi-kawa River, there's a deep cove somewhat hidden among the skerries. If you're not paddling close to shore, it's easy to miss the cove. There's a stream flowing into the cove, but no level ground - it's not suitable for camping.

21. Ochiai Cove (local name)
At the tip of the cape between Pirate Cove and Poromoi is Ochiai Cove, a suitable landing spot. There's potable spring water at the beach, just behind the bluff at the Utoro end of the beach.

Pirate Cove and Ochiai Cove are both local names - the coves are not named on government topomaps. There are many awash rocks at the entrance of Ochiai Cove. When the sea state is high, keep close to the cape in order to enter the bay. The bay is surrounded on three sides by low cliffs and has no streams. This means bears are uncommon, making it a good place to camp. Being close to Cape Shiretoko, the bluffs in the area are low. Animal tracks dot the landscape across the flat surrounding forest.

22. Poromoi
This section of coast is often calm, in the lee of southerly summer winds, blocked by Shiretoko-dake. Be careful not to interfere or get in the way of fishing operations. Landing is possible, but lone brown bears are sometimes sighted here.

23. Shishi-iwa Rock
Reefs near Cape Shiretoko. It's possible to paddle through shoreward channels. Beware of concealed rocks. Landing possible.

24. Bunkichi-wan Refuge Port
Banya fishing hut in the port. Landing here should be avoided except in case of emergency. When passing the port entrance, paddle along the shoreline from Shishi-iwa Rock through shoreward channels, and cross the port entrance as a pod. Beware of fishing vessel traffic. Currents are strong in the area, and fishing vessels enter and exit the port at full speed. There is a huge breakwater (sea ice shelter) seaward of the port mouth. When sea conditions are bad, paddling seaward of the breakwater is dangerous.

25. Cape Shiretoko
Beyond Aburako-wan Bay, you're now in the windy Rausu side of the peninsula. In offshore wind conditions, be sure to keep close to the shoreline. From Shishi-iwa to Aka-iwa, do not land in the Cape area except in an emergency. The wind can be strong and currents are fast at Cape Shiretoko. Avoid paddling offshore in this area. Rocky reefs are common in the Cape area, with dangerous waves. Seek out protected channels in the reefs approaching Akai-iwa Rock. Err on the side of waiting for winds to lessen before padding around the cape.

Rausu Side of Peninsula (Nemuro Straits/Pacific Ocean)

26. Aka-iwa
Akaiwa Coast is a large bay that used to be lined with kelp harvester huts. When you reach Akaiwa Beach after paddling aorund Cape Shiretoko, paddle into the inner part of the bay. It's shallower near the coast. The exits of the protected channels around the cape are littered with reefs - take care. Strong onshore winds can blow from the direction of Kabuto Rock, causing large waves. Most suitable landing sites in this area are nearer the Shiretoko Cape end of the bay. Large brown bears may be seen in this area.

27. Kabuto-iwa Rock
The Aka-iwa reef has a navigable channel near the shore. During high wind conditions, paddling around Kabuto-iwa Rock can be difficult. High waves and strong winds can come from the direction of Rausu. The wind increases after sunrise and decreases after sunset. From Kabuto-iwa Rock to Nenbutsu-iwa Rock, paddle in the reefs close to shore.

28. Nenbutsu Iwa to Otoko-taki and Onna-taki waterfalls
This area is called Nihon-daki (Two-stream Waterfalls) or Takino-shita (Below the Waterfalls) and is suitable for landing. Do not leave food and equipment unattended as foxes are common. Boats should be turned upside down overnight. Fox urine does not smell good. The best place to camp is closer to the cape.

29. Takinohashita to Pekinohana Cape
Small capes and reef zones dot the coast. Pekino-no-hana Cape is prone to strong winds and waves; paddling offshore is dangerous. Paddle along the shore avoid reefs and enter the southerly cove as soon as you pass the cape. At Pekino-no-hana Cape stands a torii (Shinto shrine). A statue of the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) is enshrined on the Rausu side of the cape.

30. From Pekin-no-hana Cape to Funadomari
Steep cliffs, deep forests, fog, seabird colonies - a mysterious and beautiful coast. Beautiful shoreward navigable channels among the reefs. Best place to camp is the beach commonly known as Kayak-jisan's (Kayak Grandpa's) beach (no water source). This area is protected from the southerly winds. There's a reef resembling an old man paddling a kayak seaward of the channels. The capes south of the cove near Megane-iwa are often wind-affected. There's a narrow channel inside the small cape.

31. Moireushi River
Commonly known as Moiresu. After paddling around the cape at Megane-iwa Cove, the deep bay of Moiresu extends inland. Deep in the bay flows the Moireushi River, and there is a large fishing hut. Be aware of gusty offshore winds when paddling across the bay, blowing from the inland mountains. Particularly dangerous when strong westerlies are blowing. On the Rausu end of the bay is Takenoko-iwa Rock (Bamboo-shoot Rock). Moiresu is suitable for emergency shelter from conditions and is suited to camping. Seek permission from personnel in the fishing hut when camping here.

32. Takenoko-iwa to Unakibetsu River and Kaseki-hama (Fossil Beach)
The reef zone continues near the shoreline. Waves common when southerlies blow. When strong winds from the west blow down from Mt. Shiretoko, the coast of Kaseki-hama can be a dangerous mess of waves and wind. There is a suitable camping site next to the ruins of a fishing cooperative facility near the Rausu end of the beach. The area near Unakibetsu River is not suitable for camping due to the fishing hut that is still in use.

33. Kannon-iwa Cape
Dangerous in strong winds. There's a protected channel near the shore. To get to it, you have to paddle around the outside of the cape. Paddling around Kanon-iwa Cape when strong southerlies are blowing can be difficult - expect strong wind and high waves.

34. Kuzure-hama Beach
A suitable camping location is at the Kannon-iwa Cape end of the beach. Consists of an open, flat, stone beach and a small water source. The beach is lined with kelp harvesters' huts. From Kanon-iwa Cape to Kamoiunbe-kawa River the huts are not in operation; only the huts from Kamoiunbe-kawa River to Aimomari are in use. Even so, the unused huts may ocassionally be used for drying kelp, so do not camp near them even if they appear unoccupied. If starting from the Aidomari side, assess the conditions near Kanon-iwa cape at this point. Tailwinds and following seas can be more dangerous than headwinds. Following seas are invisible, and it's easy for one's stern to get pushed around, realizing too late that the conditions are unmanageable.

35. Aidomari Fishing Port
Possible to put in and take out at Aidomari River. Park vehicles considerately. Avoid using the port except in case of emergency. Be careful of vessels entering and exiting the port. If crossing the port entrance, make sure to check for fishing vessels, and cross the port entrance in a pod.

Utoro Side (Okhotsk Sea)

1. Utoro Fishing Port
2. Horobetsu River Mouth
3. To Iwaubetsu River
4. Iwaubetsu River
5. Five Lakes Cliffs
6. Mamushi-no-Hama
7. Idashubetsu River
8. Iroiro River
9. Kamuiwakka Falls
10. Iyo River
11. Ubushinotta River
12. Ponputa River to Ponbetsu River
13. Rusha, Teppanbetsu River
14. 19 Banya, Takinoshita Banya
15. Tako-iwa Rock
16. Kashuni-no-taki Falls
17. Kaparuwatara
18. Shiretoko-gawa River, Potopirabetsu-gawa River
19. Okicchiushi-gawa River
20. Kaizoku-wan
21. Ochiai-wan
22. Poromoi
23. Shishi-iwa Rock
24. Bunnkichi-wan Refuge Port
25. Shiretoko-misaki Cape

Rausu Side (Nemuro Straight/Pacific Ocean)

26. Aka-iwa Rock
27. Kabuto-iwa Rock
28. Nenbutsu-iwa Rock to Otoko-taki and Onna-daki Falls
29. Takinoshita to Pekinnnohana Cape
30. Pekinnohana Cape to Funadomari
31. Moireushi River
32. Takenoko-iwa Rock to Unakibetsu-gawa River, Kaseki-hama Beach
33. Kannon-iwa Rock
34. Kuzure-hama Beach
35. Aidomari-gyoko Port

Postscript

I created this booklet to explain the seas of Shiretoko in the hope that it will be useful for the safety of kayakers. It is not a guidebook, and as such it's dangerous to use it as such, considering the dynamic nature of the sea. It has been 17 years since I first published this booklet. Fortunately, no serious accidents have occurred in that time. However, there are still people, including myself, who get into trouble every year. Bad judgment and bad luck can quickly lead to fatal accidents on the Shiretoko Peninsula. In Shiretoko, it's important to carefully observe changes in sea conditions, to always check your current location on a map or chart, and to act flexibly and with plenty of time up your sleeves.

Twenty years ago, during the outdoor boom, Shiretoko began to attract many kayakers. Many of them, however, had little experience. Many only had a strong sense of adventure. One capsized in the surf near Aidomari and was rescued by fishermen; another got caught in the rope of a fixed net and his kayak sank. He was left dangling from the rope as it rose and fell in heavy seas. He eventually swam for his life to shore, hanging on to the rope as it rose and fell in the heavy surf. Another kayaker failed to make it around Cape Shiretoko to the Rausu side and was swept southeast in a strong wind to Kunashiri Island. He was captured by the Russian border guards. Another intentionally crossed the median line to the Russian side and was captured by a Russian patrol boat. Another person was swept away by the wind off the coast of Rusha. After calling the Coastguard on his mobile phone, he was rescued by Mr. Ose of the No. 19 Banya. I myself almost caused accidents twice, once at Rusha and once at Nenbutsu-iwa, and as a result I caused trouble for the local community.

"The Great Outdoors" is simply a modern leisure-seeker's slogan. Such slogans do not permit one to assert oneself beyond the realm of leisure. With an easy-going "Great Outdoors" mindset, there was once a group that planned a kayak tour from Rausu to Kunashiri, if you can believe it. Shiretoko is a place where fishermen live and work. Fishermen are concerned about kayakers' safety and watch over them. Working in the borderzones of Japan and Russia, they are always aware of the risk of being impounded by the other side. There is no "freedom of the great outdoors" here for kayakers. Naturally, the Rausu to Kunashiri plan was abandoned, but I later heard someone brought a plan to the local town office for a kayaking experience for a school excursion on the Shiretoko Peninsula coast. Shiretoko is not a calm lake or river, but an ocean that sometimes bares its teeth. It is not suitable for large-scale experience tours.

Shiretoko is a place for real adventure. It is comparable to the remote waters of the Aleutians, Alaska, Patagonia, and other remote areas of the world. You have to solve all problems by yourself; no one is there to help you. Sea kayaking is a sport that can sometimes cost you your life. The ocean is fair, and it offers us all our fair share of dangers and joys, regardless of our experience. Modern kayakers are the descendants of countless ocean natives who paddled the seas for thousands of years in order to survive.

In recent years, with an increasing number of kaykers visiting Shiretoko, there has been an increase in problems relating to put-ins, take-outs and parking. Most of the issues are caused by the kayakers. That said, if local people would treat clueless kayakers with an open mind, perhaps kayakers would one day be able to respect the people of Shiretoko and its nature and treat local people with mutual consideration. For that reason, kayakers should not hesitate to point out mistakes and annoyances on the part of locals that stem from lack of understanding. Just as they do for the surfing world, exclusivity and insularity ultimately do not bode well for the local community (nor for surf culture). That said, kayakers should embrace proper seamanship. People from all walks of life live on the ocean. Consideration for others ensures the freedom of kayaking. I can't speak for sure about the future of sea kayaking freedom in Shiretoko, but this should resonate with any good Japanese sea kayaker.

In the past, the Ainu people traveled freely between Rausu and Furukamappu on Kunashiri Island. In a time when there were no countries or national borders, people could go anywhere as long as they had the will to do so. To be able to go anywhere freely is a happy thing. Freedom is precious. I am grateful to be able to continue paddling the waters of Shiretoko. To the town of Rausu and everyone at the Shiretoko Foundation who worked on the re-publication of this publication, I owe my deepest gratitude.

Akio Shinya, Sea Kayak Guide

Published: February 2022

Planning: Shiretoko Foundation

Author: Akio Shinya

Publisher: Rausu Town