Shirakami-Sanchi

Background

Shirakami-Sanchi straddles Aomori and Akita prefectures, with about three-quarters on the Aomori side. The whole mountain area covers about 130000 hectares, of which 16971 hectares were inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1993. The beech forest is a remnant of the cool-temperate forest that formed some eight to ten thousand years ago. The local Matagi, traditional mountain hunters, have hunted and gathered here for generations under a strict code of mountain rules, and today they also lead eco-tours.

Local customs

• Walking into the golden beech forest in autumn
• seeing the three-tiered Anmon Falls in Nishimeya Village
• joining an eco-tour led by a local guide.

Travel tips

• Most of the mountains are wilderness without roads or man-made facilities, and entering the core zone requires a permit from the forest management authority
• ordinary visitors focus on the surrounding trails and the Anmon Falls. There are black bears in the mountains and trails are slippery after rain, so come prepared.
• Travel towards Hirosaki, Aomori or Akita first, then take a bus or rental car to the trailheads around Nishimeya Village and Fukaura Town
• check official announcements for bus times. In autumn the beech forest is at its golden best
• in summer the green shade is dense
• in winter heavy snow closes the mountains, and the surrounding hot-spring areas are the place to stay.