Mt Rausu

Mt Rausu (Japanese: 羅臼岳) rises at the northeastern edge of Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsula, a long, rugged hyakumeizan* peak that embodies the wildness of one of Japan’s most remote landscapes. Rausu is the highest mountain in eastern Hokkaido, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its untouched forests, steep cliffs, and abundant wildlife. The topography is dramatic with a long ridge rising directly from the sea, carved by deep valleys and shaped by heavy snowfall, harsh winds and the peninsula’s fierce winters. Its slopes are steep and heavily forested, giving way to rocky upper ridges.

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Mt Rausu stands at the heart of one of Japan’s last great wilderness areas, a place where brown bears roam freely, where sea fog rolls in from the Okhotsk sea and where the boundary between alpine and coastal ecosystems is unusually sharp. The mountain is a landmark for both the town of Rausu on the eastern coast and Utoro on the western side, rising above fishing villages and cold currents that bring drift ice in winter. 

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The views from the summit are among the most expansive in Hokkaido. To the east, the Sea of Okhotsk stretches toward the Kuril Islands; to the west, the Shiretoko range rolls towards the remote interior peaks; and below, the peninsula narrows into a dramatic spine of forest and cliffs. 

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The hiking is long, steep and demanding, and hikers must be on constant guard for bears. Most climbers including me begin from the Rausu Onsen trailhead, ascending through dense forest rich with alpine flowers and wildlife. The lower slopes are humid and lush, but the trail soon steepens, climbing directly up narrow ridges and rocky steps. As hikers rise above the tree line, the terrain becomes exposed, with sweeping views unfolding toward the sea. The final approach to the summit is a rugged ridge walk, often windy and cloud‑shrouded, leading to a small, open high point. Because of bears, weather and the mountain’s remoteness, preparation and caution are essential. Despite all the difficulties, it was one of my favourite hikes in Japan.

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* 100 famous mountains of Japan

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)