If you are heading north on Route 335 toward Shiretoko from the direction of Shibetsu, the first point you should stop at after entering Rausu is Minehama Parking.

Although the name of the parking lot is "parking," it is a scenic point from which you can view Kunashiri Island, the Northern Territories, and the dynamic Shiretoko mountain range.

There are surprisingly few spots where you can see the Shiretoko mountain range from the east, so be sure to take a break from your drive and stop by to enjoy the view.

In winter, if your timing is good, you can see the Nemuro Straits filled with drift ice up close.