FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

ReservationsOn the dayAbout tour
How can I book a tour?

The best way to book a tour is via our 24/7 online booking system.
Alternatively, you can call us to make a reservation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 0152-26-7839.
We are available by phone every day from 9 am-6pm.

Until when can I book a tour?

Basically, we accept bookings from guests up to 2 hours before the start time of each tour.
However, please note that we may not be able to answer your call if we are out guiding. Therefore, we recommend using our online booking system.
For the Shiretoko Five Lakes Trekking Tour (May to June) and the Shiretoko Five Lakes Snowshoeing Tour, bookings must be made by 6:00 PM the day before the tour.
For custom-made tours, we accept bookings up to 5 days before the desired tour date.
Please note that bookings will be closed automatically when all available slots are filled.

How can I make a change to or cancel my booking?

If you would like to make a change(s) to or cancel your existing booking(s), please call us at 0152-26-7839 (available from 9:00 am – 6:00) or send an e-mail to info-shiretoko#m.picchio.co.jp (please replace # with @)

We will have to charge you a cancellation fee if you decide to cancel a tour based on your preference.

2 days before 20 % of the tour cost
the day before 50 % of the tour cost
on the day of the tour the full tour cost

Can I still book a tour if I am travelling by myself?

Yes, you can. We organise tours from minimum one-person.

What is the recommended age for the tours?

The recommended age varies depending on the tour.
Please check the details on the tour pages for more information.

Can I change the pick-up location?

Yes, you can. please call us at 0152-26-7839 (available from 9:00 am – 6:00) or send an e-mail to info-shiretoko#m.picchio.co.jp (please replace # with @)

Can I be put on the waiting list?

Yes, please contact us by phone or e-mail.

Where should I come?

We can pick you up at the lobby of your accommodation in Utoro area (Pick up from Shari or Iwaobetsu area is Not available).
Or we can also pick you up at the Road side station “Utoro Sirietoku”.

When should I come?

The meeting time varies depending on the location.
Please check the details on the tour pages for specific information.

We may experience delays in arriving at the agreed meeting time due to the pickup arrangements for other guests.

How can I pay?

We accept both cash and card payments.

Will the tours proceed in bad weather?

The tours will proceed in rain or snow but will be canceled in stormy weather.
We will notify you at least 1 hour before if your tour is canceled.

Can I park my car at the Road side station Utoro Sirietoku?

Yes, you can park your car while you participate in the tour.

Can I leave my suitcase in a tour vehicle?

We are sorry, but we do not have enough space for your luggage in our tour vehicle as we allocate space for rental items for the guests.
Please consider using luggage lockers at the Roadside station “Utoro Sirietoku” or leaving it at your accommodations.

Does the tour time include transportation to my accomodation?

Yes, essentially it does.
However, the duration might vary depending on the number of guests or weather conditions, potentially ending earlier or later.

How long does it take to come to Utoro by car from the airport/stations?

Following is a rough estimate;
■ From Memanbetsu Airport Snow season: About two hours No snow season: About two and a half hours
■ From Abashiri Station  Snow season: About one and a half hours No snow season: About two hours
■ From Shari Station Snow season: About 40 mins No snow season: About an hour

Can I call a taxi?

Yes, you can, but please note that the number of taxis in the Utoro area is limited, so the waiting time might be quite long.

Can you send me to a different location from my pick-up point?

Yes, we can send you anywhare you want in Utoro area after tour.
Please inform the guide of your preferred location when the tour ends.

Can I come to your office directly and park my car there?

We are sorry but we do not have a parking area for our guests.
We can meet you at the Road side station “Utoro Sir-etok” and you can park your car there for free.

Can I join/leave in the middle?

We are sorry, but we cannot accommodate joining or leaving the tour in the middle due to considerations for other guests.

Summer tours

【Trekking tours in general】
What to bring

Head
<April to September>  Cap or hat
<October to November> Woolen hat

Tops
<April to May>  Long sleeve shirts and warm outer (fleece jacket or windproof jacket)
<June to September>  Thin fabric long sleeves (Long sleeve shirts are recommended against ticks and bug bites.)
<October to November> Thick fabric long sleeves and warm outer (fleece jacket, sweater or down jacket).

Bottoms
Long trousers must be worn to prevent minor injuries and tick bites.
Skirts are not allowed.

Shoes
Either of sport shoes, trekking shoes, or rubber boots
No heels are allowed.
Free rental available, see below

Others
Rain wear (Free rental available, see below)
Bottle of water/tea
Towel
Small backpack

Free rental items

These items are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can reserve items in advance if necessary.

    ・Men’s rain wear (jackets and trousers):M,L,XL
    ・Women’s rain wear (jackets and trousers):S,M,L
    ・Rubber boots (17-30 CM)
【Wildlife Night Drive in Shiretoko】
What to bring

Tops
<April to May>  Long sleeve shirts and warm outer (fleece jacket or windproof jacket)
<June to September>  Thin fabric long sleeves (Long sleeve shirts are recommended against ticks and bug bites.)
<October to November> Thick fabric long sleeves and warm outer (fleece jacket, sweater or down jacket).

Bottoms
Long trousers

Shoes
No heels or sandals are allowed.

Free rental items

These items are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can reserve items in advance if necessary.

    ・Men’s rain wear (jackets and trousers):M,L,XL
    ・Women’s rain wear (jackets and trousers):S,M,L
【Salmon Watching Tour】
What to bring

Tops
<September> Thin fabric long sleeves
<October to November> Thick fabric long sleeves and warm outer (fleece jacket, sweater or down jacket)

Bottoms
Long trousers

Shoes
Either of sport shoes, trekking shoes
No heels are allowed.
Free rental available, see below

Free rental items

These items are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can reserve items in advance if necessary.

    ・Men’s rain wear (jackets and trousers):M,L,XL
    ・Women’s rain wear (jackets and trousers):S,M,L
    ・Rubber boots (17-30 CM)

Winter tours

【Snowshoe tours in general】
What to bring

Head
Woolen hat
Neck-warmer

Tops
Waterproof jacket (or ski jacket), fleece jacket, sweater and long sleeve shirts.

Bottoms
Waterproof overtrousers (or ski trousers). It is strongly recommended to wear thick fabric trousers or tights underneath.

Shoes
Warm winter boots

Others
Gloves
Sunglasses or goggles are recommended.

Free rental items

These items are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can reserve items in advance if necessary.

    ・Men’s ski wear (jackets and trousers):M,L,XL, XXL
    ・Women’s ski wear (jackets and trousers):S,M,L, XL
    ・Kids:130cm,140cm,150cm
    ・Rubber boots (17-30 CM)
    ・Waterproof gloves, woolen hat
【Drift Ice Walking 360°】
What to bring

Head
Woolen hat

Tops (under dry suit)
Fleece, Sweater
Thermal Inner Layer (Please prepare long-sleeve / thick fabrics according to temperature)
**Due to the dry suits’ sealing properties around the neck, pease refrain from wearing hooded items and thick turtlenecks.
**Please refrain from wearing long-haired fleece and down jackets as there is a risk of it getting caught and damaged.

Bottoms (under dry suit)
Warm trousers
**Due to the dry suits, Please prepare Regular Fit Pants or Slim Fit Pants.
**Please refrain from wearing skiwear and any wide‐legged pants.

Shoes
Not specified – Shoes are integrated in with the dry suits.

Socks
Long / Thick socks
**When wearing a dry suit, we will ask you to tuck the hem of your pants inside your socks, so a long pair of socks is advised.

Precautions regarding clothing
■ Please remove all watches and accessories as they may be lost during the tour, or damage the dry suits.
■ Similarly, in order to prevent damage to the dry suits, please cut your nails in advance.
■ If you have long hair, please remove any hairpins and clips, and tie your hair up with a hair tie instead.

Free rental items

woolen hat **Dry suit will be prepared for every participant

Requirements

You need to meet all the requirements below.
■ 6 years or older.
■ Height:130cm-190cm
■ Weight: up to 110kg
■ Must be able to follow our instructions and take self-safety-control.

Is there any possibility that the tour will be canceled?

Drift ice might disappear due to strong south wind or warm temperature espesially in the middle to late March.
We will contact you by 1 hour before if your tour is cancelled.

Can I bring my camera or smartphone?

You can bring them at your own risk.
If you would like to bring your phone, we strongly recommend to put it in a water proof bag to prevent damage.

Do you sell/rent water proof bag for a smartphone?

We are sorry but we do not sell/rent it for the guests.

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