Outdoor Hokkaido Part 1: Shiretoko Wildlife Paradise

The Shiretoko Peninsula lies at the far northeastern tip of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture. It is an area of remarkable natural beauty, with a vibrant diversity of wildlife both on land and in the sea. Since 2005, it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Japan's most unexplored regions, and one of the few places in the world where bears have an undisturbed natural habitat. For the Hokkaido brown bears living there, the mountains, rivers and virgin forests are an unspoiled paradise. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Dean Newcombe travels to Shiretoko to discover its pristine environment. Dean has lived in Japan 4 years, working as a model. But this is the first time he has traveled to such a remote location. Shown around by a nature guide, he gets to see many kinds of animals in their unspoiled natural habitat. He goes out on a whale-watching boat to view the ocean wild life. He also learns the importance of living in harmony with nature and preserving the environment.