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.
You can also call to make the reservation. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to call 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 booking by guests 2 hours before the starting time of each tour.
However, we may not be able to answer your call because we may be out for guiding. Please consider to use our online booking system.
Regarding the Shiretoko Five Lakes Trekking Tour(May to June)/the Shiretoko Five Lakes Snowshoeing Tour, you have to book by the 6:00 PM of the day before the tour day.
For the custom-made tour, we accept booking until 5 days before the day you would like to organize a tour.
The booking will be closed automatically when there is no more place available.

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 charge you a cancellation fee listed below if you cancel a tour because of 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 differs depending on the tour.
Please refer to the detail pages of the tour you would like to participate.

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?

We are sorry but we currently do not accept waiting for cancellation.

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 Sir-etok”.

When should I come?

Meeting time differs depending on the location.
Please refer to the detail pages of each tour.
If you are going to join the Shiretoko Five Lakes Trekking Tour and select “the Shiretoko Five Lakes Field House” as your meeting point, we will notify you the meeting time after your booking is confirmed.

We may not be able to come on the agreed meeting time because of other guests’ pick up situations.

How can I pay?

We accept only cash.
If you are staying at Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel or KIKI Shiretoko Natural Resort, we can add the bill to your room charge.

Will the tours go ahead even if the weather is bad?

The tours will be held even if it rains/snows, but will be cancelled if the weather is stormy.
We will contact you by 1 hour before if your tours are cancelled.

Can I park my car at the Road side station Utoro Sir-etok?

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

Can I leave my suitcase in a tour vehicle?

We are sorry but we do not have enough space for your luggage in out tour vehicle because we put rental items for the guests.
Please use luggage lockers at the Road side station “Utoro Sir-etok” or leave it at your accomodations.

Does the tour time include transportation to my accomodation?

Yes, it basically does.
It may finish earlier or later depending on the number of gusts or weather conditions.

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

Following is a roughly 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 the number of taxi in Utoro area is limited so the waiting time might be very 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.
Let your guide to know the location when the tour end.

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 must decline it considering 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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