Mt. Rausu
Mt. Rausu (羅臼岳) is one of the main peaks of the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido (1,661m). In the midst of land designated as a World Natural Heritage, the attraction is being able to walk through dynamic volcanic terrain, alpine plants, and highly primeval forest. Entry is summer-only. The main trailhead is Iwaobetsu Onsen. The key access point is the Utoro Onsen area, and a combination of public transit + taxi is the most realistic.
⚠⚠ Trailhead closed until July 5, 2026 — entry voluntary restraint requested
Due to a brown bear injury incident on Mt. Rausu on August 14, 2025, the Mt. Rausu Iwaobetsu Trailhead, Rausu Onsen Trailhead, and Shiretoko-Iozan Trailhead have all been fully closed since August 2025. A gate has been installed on the town road leading to the Iwaobetsu Trailhead.
- Lifting scheduled: Sunday, July 5, 2026 (agreement of Ministry of the Environment, Forestry Agency, Hokkaido, Shari Town, Rausu Town)
- From the 2026 season, “phased trail management responsive to brown bear behavior” (a restraint/closure judgment system) will be introduced
- Even after lifting, sudden closures are possible — always confirm official information before departure
Latest info: Rausu Town / Ministry of the Environment Kushiro Natural Environment Office / Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center
Timetable last checked: June 5, 2026
The closest bus stop to the trailhead is “Iwaobetsu”. However, as the frequency is limited, a plan using a taxi from Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal (advance reservation recommended) is standard. Approximate travel time is about 20 minutes.
Taxi inquiries: Utoro Kanko Hire 0152-24-2121
If not using a taxi, the closest is Iwaobetsu bus stop in front of Shiretoko Iwaobetsu Youth Hostel; from the bus stop to the trailhead is 3.5 km, about 50 minutes on foot. (Google map)
The trailhead is operated by Hot Spring Inn Chi-no-Hate; if you stay at this inn, conditional shuttle service from Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal can be used.
The Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal / Iwaobetsu-bound bus timetable and Mt. Rausu courses are as follows.
How to access the trailheads
- [Outbound] Shiretoko-Shari Station → Utoro Onsen → Iwaobetsu
- [Outbound] Memanbetsu Airport → Abashiri Station → Utoro Onsen
- [Outbound] Sapporo Station → Utoro Onsen
- [Return] Iwaobetsu → Utoro Onsen → Shiretoko-Shari Station
- [Return] Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal → Abashiri Station → Memanbetsu Airport
- [Return] Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal → Sapporo Station
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Rausu
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Rausu
Mt. Rausu — Reference Hiking Times
| Segment | Distance | Ascent/Descent | Out | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iwaobetsu Onsen → Kinoshita Hut | 0.1 km | +5 m / −0 m | 0:00 | 0:00 |
| Kinoshita Hut → Yasakichi-Mizu | 2.6 km | +560 m / −0 m | 1:40 | 1:30 |
| Yasakichi-Mizu → Gin-Reisui | 1.6 km | +255 m / −0 m | 0:55 | 0:40 |
| Gin-Reisui → Rausu-daira Designated Campsite | 1.3 km | +303 m / −0 m | 0:55 | 0:45 |
| Rausu-daira Designated Campsite → Iwashimizu | 0.5 km | +117 m / −0 m | 0:20 | 0:15 |
| Iwashimizu → Mt. Rausu | 0.5 km | +196 m / −0 m | 0:30 | 0:30 |
| Round trip | 13.2 km | +1435 m / −1435 m | 8:35 | |
1. [Outbound] Shiretoko-Shari Station → Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal → Iwaobetsu
From the “Shari Bus Terminal” in front of JR Shiretoko-Shari Station (about 1 minute walk from the station), board the Shari Bus “Shiretoko Line.” Services going to Iwaobetsu are only 3 morning–noon runs; the rest terminate at Utoro.
Travel time: Shari → Utoro about 50 minutes
Fare: Shari → Utoro ¥1,650
Operating period: April 28 – October 31, 2026 (summer schedule)
Bus TimetableShiretoko Line toward Utoro Onsen
| Shari BT Dep. | Utoro Onsen BT Arr. | Iwaobetsu Arr. |
|---|---|---|
| 08:10 | 09:00 | 09:26 |
| 09:15 | 10:15 | 10:31 |
| 11:30 | 12:20 | 12:46 |
| 16:20 | 17:10 | —(Utoro term.) |
| 17:40 | 18:30 | —(Utoro term.) |
Reference: Shari Bus Shiretoko Line timetable (official PDF)
2. [Outbound] Memanbetsu Airport → Abashiri Station → Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal
A connecting bus directly linking Memanbetsu Airport, Abashiri Station, and Shari Station to Utoro Onsen. Smooth travel before and after climbing.
Travel time: Memanbetsu Airport → Utoro about 2 hours 10 minutes
Fare: Memanbetsu Airport → Utoro ¥3,500
Operating period: June 1 – September 30, 2026
Bus TimetableShiretoko Airport Liner
| Memanbetsu Airport Dep. | Abashiri Station Dep. | Shari Bus Terminal Dep. | Utoro Onsen Terminal Arr. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:45 | 10:12 | 11:07 | 11:56 |
| 13:50 | 14:17 | 15:15 | 15:59 |
Reference: Shari Bus
3. [Outbound] Sapporo Station → Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal
From the Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal located about 15 minutes on foot from Sapporo Station, board the reservation-based highway bus Eagle Liner operated by Hokkaido Chuo Bus and get off at Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal.
From Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal, use a taxi to access the Iwaobetsu Onsen trailhead.
Travel time: about 7 hours 30 minutes
Fare: ¥8,900 (reservation system)
Reference: Eagle Liner
Bus TimetableEagle Liner
| Sapporo Station Bus Terminal | Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal |
|---|---|
| 23:15 | 6:30 |
4. [Return] Iwaobetsu → Utoro Onsen → Shiretoko-Shari Station
Head to the Iwaobetsu bus stop located 40 minutes on foot from the Iwaobetsu Onsen trailhead, or go to Utoro Onsen by taxi, and from either bus stop board the Shari Bus Shiretoko Line and get off at JR Shiretoko-Shari Station.
(Utoro Kanko Hire: 0152-24-2121)
Travel time: Utoro → Shari about 50 minutes
Fare: Utoro → Shari ¥1,650
Operating period: April 28 – October 31, 2026 (summer schedule)
Bus TimetableShiretoko Line toward Shiretoko-Shari Station
| Iwaobetsu Dep. | Utoro Onsen BT Dep. | Shari Bus Terminal Arr. |
|---|---|---|
| — | 07:10 | 08:00 |
| 09:49 | 10:05 | — |
| 10:44 | 11:00 | — |
| 13:09 | 13:25 | — |
| 14:04 | 14:30 | 15:20 |
| — | 16:20 | 17:10 |
Reference: Shari Bus
5. [Return] Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal → Abashiri Station → Memanbetsu Airport
Take a taxi from the Iwaobetsu Onsen trailhead to Utoro Onsen.
From Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal, board the Shiretoko Airport Liner and get off at Shari Station, Abashiri Station, or Memanbetsu Airport.
Travel time: Utoro → Memanbetsu Airport about 2 hours 10 minutes
Fare: Utoro → Memanbetsu Airport ¥3,500
Operating period: June 1 – September 30, 2026
Bus TimetableShiretoko Airport Liner
| Utoro Onsen BT Dep. | Shari Bus Terminal Arr. | Abashiri Station Arr. | Memanbetsu Airport Arr. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:30 | 10:36 | 11:23 | 11:55 |
| 12:30 | 13:15 | 14:02 | 14:36 |
Reference: Shari Bus
6. [Return] Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal → Sapporo Station
Take a taxi from the Iwaobetsu Onsen trailhead to Utoro Onsen.
From Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal, board the reservation-based highway bus Eagle Liner operated by Hokkaido Chuo Bus and get off at the terminus, Sapporo Station Bus Terminal.
Travel time: about 7 hours
Fare: ¥8,900 (reservation system)
Operating period: Year-round (reservation required)
Reference: Eagle Liner
Bus TimetableEagle Liner toward Sapporo
| Utoro Onsen BT Dep. | Shari Bus Terminal Dep. | Sapporo (in front of Tokeidai) Arr. |
|---|---|---|
| 09:20 | 10:10 | 16:10 |
Reference:
Photo bywikipedia
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