Oshinkoshin Falls: The Waterfall Beside the Road into Shiretoko

Most great waterfalls ask for a hike. Oshinkoshin asks for a flight of steps. It stands beside Route 334, the coast road into Shiretoko, a few minutes before the town of Utoro. You park, climb for a minute or two, and you are level with the middle of the falls, close enough to feel the spray.

What you see

The water divides into two streams as it comes down the rock face, which is why the falls are also known as the twin falls. Oshinkoshin is listed among Japan's hundred best waterfalls. In late summer the rock is framed in deep green; after rain, or during the spring snowmelt, the flow is at its strongest.

How long to stop

Fifteen to twenty minutes is enough. There is a car park beside the road and a stairway up to the viewing platform. The steps can be wet from the spray, so wear shoes with grip.

When to go

Tour buses stop here through the middle of the day. Early morning and late afternoon are quieter, and the low light is kinder to photographs.

What comes next on the road

Utoro is a few minutes further on, with places to eat and the harbour. Beyond Utoro the road continues to Shiretoko Five Lakes, where an elevated boardwalk crosses bear country to a view of the Sea of Okhotsk. The two make a natural half day.

See it in motion: eastern Hokkaido in 28 seconds. For the wider region, read our guide to eastern Hokkaido.