(8)

A kita fox beside a national highway. Tourists have recently taken up feeding the foxes here, making the foxes lose their fear of humans. Foxes come to the roadside looking for food, and some unfortunately end up as road kill.

(9)

Kamuiwakka Yu no Taki (Warm-water Falls). Very hot water gurgles out of a slope in the valley above, warming the river to a nice temperature for a soak.

(10)

Shiretoko Mountain Range seen from Niko Lake, one of the Five Shiretoko Lakes.

(11)

Climbing along the steep river on the way to Kamuiwakka Yu no Taki Falls.

(12)

Mount Rausu seen from Shiretoko Pass.

(13)

Bowl of rice with local sea urchin and salmon roe. The fresh seafood is another reason to go to Shiretoko.

(14)

Stores in Rausu have plenty of fresh, colorful produce from the sea.

(15)

The kombu harvesting season lasts for about a month, starting in late July.

The best is 2-year-old kombu that is almost 3 meters long.

(16)

Kombu laid out to dry on the shore.

A flavorful stock made by simmering kombu is used in many recipes, and Japanese cuisine would not be the same without it.

(17)

Seseki Hot Spring has an off-the-beaten-track charm. The baths, constructed by local fishermen, offer a view of the sea.

(18)

The fishing port of Rausu at dawn.

The photo shows the sun rising over the island of Kunashiri.