Oronko Rock: The Guardian of Shiretoko's Coast

If you have ever visited Utoro Port on the Shiretoko Peninsula, you must have noticed the towering rock by the harbor, standing like a giant watching over the coast. That is Oronko Rock. Oronko Rock is not an unconquerable peak, but it is not entirely effortless either. There are about 170 steps leading through a forested path, gradually taking you to the top of the rock. Oronko Rock is not a major tourist attraction, but it offers one of the most tranquil and pure moments of a Shiretoko journey. Standing at the summit, gazing at the sea and mountains intertwined under the sunlight, you feel not just the scenery but the soul of Hokkaido's nature. If you visit Shiretoko, take half an hour to climb this rock, converse with the wind, and gaze at the sea. In that moment, Shiretoko becomes more than just a name—it transforms into the bluest, widest, and deepest painting in your memory.