Poroto Recreation Forest：Forestry Agency

Campsite of Poroto Recreation Forest
Wakasagi smelt fishing
Fall colors of Lake Poroto
Fresh green of Poroto
Canoe on Lake Poroto

Poroto Recreation Forest

395.65ha

Elevation Mainly : 10―130m

Encounter Ainu culture* in a tranquil forest
(A healing forest offering stunning seasonal landscapes whenever you visit)

* The Ainu people are indigenous people who have lived in the northern region of the Japanese Archipelago, particularly in Hokkaido,
with their own language and distinctive religion and culture.

Encounter Ainu culture* in a tranquil forest
(A healing forest offering stunning seasonal landscapes whenever you visit)

* The Ainu people are indigenous people who have lived in the northern region of the Japanese Archipelago, particularly in Hokkaido, with their own language and distinctive religion and culture.

Newest information
Area
Activities
Overview
Latest Information
Usage Guide
Facility
Map
Location
Access
(Distances and times are
provided as a guide only)
Management office
contact details
Official Tourist Information
Recreation Forest
Management Committee
Supporters
Other

Newest information: Gathering information in advance is important to safely enjoy forest recreation that brings you closer to nature.
・CHECK
・When you go out, please check local tourist and related information and gather information on road closures, weather conditions, etc.

Area: Hokkaido

Activities: Flower-viewing Autumn leaf viewing Birdwatching Picnics (lawn area / park) Areas for paddling/fishing (pond/lake/river)SUP Cycling (cycle path) Bicycle rental(charge applies) Canoe rental(charge applies)

Overview

Geographical/topographical features: Poroto Recreation Forest encircles Lake Poroto (Poroto means “big lake” in the Ainu language) with a circumference of about 4 km and an area of around 33 ha. This hilly forest, while located adjacent to the urban district of Shiraoi town, has a primitive and ancient air. Bougakudai Observation Platform offering panoramic views of mountains, including Mt. Tarumae, Mt. Horohoro and Mt. Shiraoi, and magnificent vistas of Pacific Ocean and its coastline
Historical/cultural features: Before its designation as a Recreation Forest in 1976, Poroto forest served as a sapling nursery, where trees were grown for planting on the mountains. Among the trees cultivated here were todomatsu, Todo fir (Abies sachalinensis). In 2020, Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park was opened in an adjacent site, so this area is expected to become a center for disseminating Ainu history and culture.
Climate, flora and fauna: The tree species planted in the Recreation Forest include Todo fir; karamatsu, Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi); and ezomatsu, Yezo spruce (Picea jezoensis). Growing naturally among them are mizunara, Japanese oak mizu-nara (Quercus crispula Blume); harunire, Japanese elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica); yachidamo, Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica); sen (harigiri) (Kalopanax pictus); and kuri, chestnut (Castanea crenata). Large trees in excess of 100 cm in diameter can be seen here and there in the forest. Poroto Recreation Forest is also home to mizubasho, White skunk cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis), along with other herbaceous wetland plants. Among the animals living in the forest are ezoshika, Yezo sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis); kitakitsune, Ezo red fox (Vulpes vulpes schrencki); ezomomonga, Russian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii); and ezorisu, Hokkaido squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis). In addition, it provides a habitat for around 80 bird species, including akagera, great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major); oruri, blue-and-white flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana); and kurotsugumi, Japanese thrush (Turdus cardis).
Attractions: Poroto Recreation Forest has a walking trail (cycle track) of 6 km long around the Lake Poroto, which enables visitors to enjoy the seasonal change of nature. Other footpaths lead to an observation tower with a view of Mount Tarumae, and to Momiji-daira, where visitors can soak up the spectacular sight of red and golden leaves in autumn.
The forest is fully equipped with facilities to help visitors relax and unwind, including campgrounds, cabins, cooking areas, and restrooms. In summer, visitors can go canoeing, and in winter, Lake Poroto freezes over, and you can enjoy Japanese smelt(Hypomesus nipponensis) fishing.

Latest Information

Events: June: Shiraoi Beef Festival
Jan.-Feb. : fishing for wakasagi smelt on Lake Poroto
Warnings: ・Campsite may be closed if bears are witnessed in the area, so please check in advance whether it will be operating on the day of your visit.

Usage Guide

Entrance fee: Free
Please note that a fee applies for use of the campsite and cabins (5 cabins).
Opening seasons and hours: Accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, please note that the passable section during winter is from the forest entrance to the Information Center, due to snow.
The cabins cannot be used in winter.
Operation hours by staff: Visitor center/Information center
Apr.1~Nov.30 9AM to 5PM
(Jul.-Aug. 8AM to 8PM
In winter, during the ice fishing season, information center will be opened.(mid-Jan. to early Mar.)
Accommodation options: Campsite in Poroto Recreation Forest (Apr.1～Nov.30)
Accomodation facilities such as KAI Poroto, Livemax Resort at Shiraoi Onsen(about 5 minutes away by car)
About 10 accommodaiton facilities at Kojohama Onsen (about 30 mintues away by car)

Facility: Toilets and drinking fountains Walking trail Car park Observation platform Visitor center (staffed only) Vending machine Shop Restaurant(Outside the forest) Campsite and/or cabins(charge applies) Specimen forest /Botanic garden/Museum (Japanese guidance only) Accommodation facilities (Hotels / Japanese inns)(Outside the forest)

Map: pdf

Location: Shiraoi, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido

Access (Distances and times are provided as a guide only)

By public transport

・JR Shiraoi Station → Poroto Recreation Forest entrance (15 minutes on foot)
(10 minutes by car from the station to the forest’s Visitor Center)

・Sapporo Station (JR Muroran Main Line: 60 minutes by limited express) → Shiraoi Station
・New Chitose Airport (JR Chitose Line: 3 minutes) → change at Minami-Chitose Station (JR Muroran Main Line: 30 minutes by limited express) → Shiraoi Station
・Noboribetsu Station (JR Muroran Main Line: 12 minutes by limited express) → Shiraoi Station

By car

・ Hokkaido Expressway Shiraoi IC → Pref. Route 86 → Koen-dori → Poroto Recreation Forest (5 km / 8 minutes)
・Sapporo → Shiraoi (via the Hokkaido Expressway) (90 km / 70 minutes)
・New Chitose Airport → Shiraoi (via the Hokkaido Expressway) (53 km / 40 minutes)
・Tomakomai Ferry Terminal → Route 36 → Shiraoi (25 km / 30 minutes)

Space for about 50 vehicles (free)

Nearby tourist facilities

・Adjacent to Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park
・About 110 minutes by car from Lake Toya (via the Hokkaido Expressway)
・About 40 minutes by car from Noboribetsu-onsen

Google Map

Management office contact details: Iburi Tobu District Forest Office, Hokkaido Regional Forest Office, Forestry Agency
TEL：0144-82-2161
https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/hokkaido/introduction/gaiyou_syo/iburitoubu/index.html

Official Tourist Information: Shiraoi Town Tourist Association [External link]

http://www.shiraoi.net/

Poroto Forest Campsite [External link]

https://shiraoi.net/play/poroto-camp/

Recreation Forest Management Committee: Committee name and contact details: Poroto Recreation Forest Protection and Management Committee, Shiraoi Town Tourist Association
Tel：0144-82-2216
Fax：0144-82-4517

Supporters: Japan BBQ College [External link]
http://www.jbbqc.com/

Other: Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park [External link]

https://ainu-upopoy.jp/en/
Shiraoi Tourist Association [External link]
Hokkaido shiraoi tourist information

PDF形式のファイルをご覧いただく場合には、Adobe Readerが必要です。
Adobe Readerをお持ちでない方は、バナーのリンク先からダウンロードしてください。