Rausu dake ( Shiretoko UNESCO nature heritage)

One of the top 100 mountains in Japan.
Approach from west side (Kinoshitagoya). Fantastic hike through diverse forests and landscapes: in lower altitudes mixed oak and acorn trees, which then develop into dense gnarled beech trees. Higher up a flat area with low pine and alder trees. The very last part up on Rausu dake is rock climbing. On top you have a great 360 degree view over to the by Russia occupied Kuril islands in the east and the Okhotsk sea in the west.
Make sure to rent bear spray at the nearby visitor center with a free GPS tracker. Bear sightings and attacks have been reported, so it is well advised to carry a bell and a spray to defend yourself.
There are two sites with drinking water on the way and a camp place with a "bear safe" food storage space.
One of my best hikes in Japan.