Furepe WaterFall, Hokkaido

Shiretoko was registered as the only World Heritage site in Hokkaido in 2005, so many tourists came to visit both domestically and abroad. There are many places called unexplored areas in Hokkaido, which boasts a great natural environment, and the untouched nature remains.
“Furepe WaterFall” is a tourist spot where groundwater that has penetrated into the Shiretoko mountain range flows from the cracks of the cliff of about 100 meters. Unlike the waterfall over the river, it is also called “Tears of Maiden” because it looks like tears.
Frepe means “red water” in Ainu language. There are various theories about the origin of the name, such as “because the sunset is reflected” and “for water containing iron”, but the actual water is transparent and does not look red. Flepe falls infused with rain and snow, and flows from between the layers that allow water to pass through the ground and the hard rock that does not pass water, and then flows down from the middle of the cliff. It is a rare waterfall that pours water into the Sea of Okhotsk.
It takes about 20 minutes from the Shiretoko Nature Center to Furepe Falls, and a promenade of about 1 km extends. If you walk along the promenade, you can see various natural environments such as virgin forests and grasslands and the creatures that inhabit them. The promenade has no ups and downs, and the road is easy to walk, so you can enjoy a walk on a sunny day. It’s good for bird watching in the early morning when there are many cute birds. You may also be able to encounter wild animals such as (Hokkaido Deer) while walking. Looking back further, you can witness the sight of the Shiretoko mountain range. There is a snowy landscape on the winter promenade, and Flepe waterfall freezes into icefall, so you can enjoy a different scene from summer. Furepe Falls shows different expressions depending on the time of day and season. Why don’t you visit the Frepe Waterfall promenade that you can enjoy all year round?

The groundwater seeped out between the cliffs flows down to the sea

Cliffside of Utoro side of Shiretoko Peninsula stands out in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. One of the waterfalls where groundwater that seeped out between the cliffs flows down to the sea is “Furepe WaterFall”. When visiting Shiretoko by a group such as a bus tour, there are many cases that you can see from the sea on a Shiretoko sightseeing boat “Aurora ” or a sightseeing cruiser etc, but there is a course that go down to the observation deck where you can see the waterfall while walking along the promenade.

“Furepe” means “red water (river)” in Ainu language

The Furepe WaterFall is a rare waterfall that groundwater flowing from the middle of a steep cliff with a height of about 100 meters seeps out and flows directly to the sea. It is also called alias “Otome no Namida” (maiden’s tear) from the state that the amount of water is small throughout the year and it runs down smoothly. “Furepe” means “red water (river)” in Ainu language. Although there are various opinions, it is believed that the sunset appears and turns red.

Not the whole waterfall can be seen from the observatory

The Furepe Waterfall promenade is a walking path that represents the Horobetsu area, which allows you to feel the magnificent scenery like Shiretoko and various natural environments at the same time.
To see the waterfall, you will be on foot from Shiretoko Nature Center. There is an observatory there, but not the whole waterfall can be seen from the location. If you want to see a waterfall from the whole or front, you need to take a sightseeing boat from Utoro etc.

The probability of meeting with Ezoshima is high

Snow is blown off in the winter, it seems that it is not piled up because the wind is strong around the Furepe waterfall. Therefore, it is a precious feed spot of Ezo deer and the probability of meeting with Ezoshima is high.

The scenery made by Okhotsk’s rough waves

From the observation deck, it is like feeling that the waterfall can be seen at the limit of the angle. Because the amount of water is also small, it is hard to see with the naked eye. If you take the telescope, you can observe the part where the water is sprinkling and the sea birds that are about to climb the cliffs. Also, the cliffs are deeply sunk, so it’s fun to see the cliffs themselves and the scenery made by Okhotsk’s rough waves.

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