One of East Asia’s largest virgin beech forests
Shirakami-Sanchi
Your
Trip
Charm of Shirakami-Sanchi
Shirakami-Sanchi, a beech forest similar to the flora seen around the Arctic Circle around 50 million years ago, was the first UNESCO natural heritage listing in Japan (in 1993, at the same time as Yakushima). The region is home to the endangered golden eagle and black woodpecker. The ecosystem of Shirakami-Sanchi has been affected by human livelihoods. In this region, forests bless the community with firewood, charcoal, craft materials, wild vegetables and hunting opportunities. The water filtered by the trees and soil flows into streams and rivers, sustaining fish and crops. When you visit this virgin forest, watch your step. Minimize your footprint by sticking to paths and trails, avoiding stepping on plants or animals that make up this ecosystem. Furthermore, if you want to enjoy the spirit of the Shirakami-Sanchi, we recommend a guided tour, where you walk through the mountains while listening to the story of the "Matagi", who once lived in harmony with the mountains through traditional hunting.The way they live offers us all clues about how humanity as a whole can co-exist with nature.
Special Contents
We will introduce the story of each world natural heritage from various themes.
Select the theme you are interested in.
- Trekking / hiking
- Traditional food / local cuisine
- Activities of the four seasons
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Shirakami-Sanchi
Experience the “Beautiful Waters” of Shirakami-Sanchi. Highlights from the Sawa Walking Tour
Don’t Miss It
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Lake Juniko (Twelve Lakes)
The Juniko Lakes is the name given to the 33 lakes and ponds in one corner of Shirakami-Sanchi, the most famous of which is Aoike Pond. The name is said to derive from the fact that 12 lakes can be seen from the top of Mt. Okuzure. The unique lakes and mountains not only sustain a great deal of flora and fauna, they are also very healing for people in need of forest therapy.
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Anmon-no-Taki Waterfall
Anmon-no-Taki Waterfall, located in the World Heritage site buffer zone, consists of three impressive waterfalls on this tributary of the Iwaki River, the “mother river” of this region. This is a popular beauty spot, although entry is restricted due to the dangerous surrounding rock walls. Be considerate, go with a guide and protect the area’s conservation values.
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Kodake
Kodake rises to 1,043m. The path to the top takes around 2 hours, coming down about 90 minutes, making this a half-day hike. The area near the summit is a designated part of the World Heritage buffer zone. This is an accessible way to enjoy a World Heritage site.
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Senjojiki Coast
Since you are in Shirakami-Sanchi, why not check out the Senjojiki Coast while you are there. It offers stunning sunsets on the Japan Sea. The Senjojiki Coast is considered one of the top 100 sunset spots in Japan. The bedrock beach was formed by the earthquake of 1792, uplifting the land to create the unique scenery.
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Happo-Shirakami Geopark
The Happo-Shirakami Geopark is the place to find out about the changes that have occurred over the past 20-40 million years to the land and seas around Shirakami-Sanchi, as well as the history and culture of the people who live here. It also offers superb views of the World Heritage-listed virgin beech forest.
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Dakedaibuna Natural Forest
The Dakedaibuna Natural Forest is a 1.8km walking path providing an easy way to enjoy the virgin beech forest. For environmental reasons it is difficult to visit the heart of the World Heritage Site, but this is where you can experience much the same nature and wildlife that exists in the middle of the forest.
Check the Activities
How to go and Where to stay
Access
Traveling from major cities around Japan
- From Sapporo
- From Tokyo
- From Nagoya
- From Osaka
- From Fukuoka
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Shin-Chitose Airport
By air 45 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By car 1 hour 5 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By car 50 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Shin-Chitose Airport
By air 45 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By airport shuttle bus 55 minutes
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Hirosaki Station
By Ou Main Line and Gono Line (through service) 1 hour 30 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By Gono Line 1 hour
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Shin-Chitose Airport
By air 55 minutes
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Akita Airport
By car 2 hours 10 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Shin-Chitose Airport
By air 55 minutes
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Akita Airport
By coach 40 minutes
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Akita Station
By Ou Main Line 1 hour
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Noshiro Station
By car 45 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 15 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By car 1 hour 5 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By car 50 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 15 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By airport shuttle bus 55 minutes
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Hirosaki Station
By Ou Main Line and Gono Line (through service) 1 hour 30 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By Gono Line 1 hour
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 10 minutes
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Odate–Noshiro Airport
By car 30 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 5 minutes
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Akita Airport
By coach 40 minutes
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Akita Station
By Ou Main Line 1 hour
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Noshiro Station
By car 45 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Nagoya Airport
By air 1 hour 20 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By car 1 hour 5 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By car 50 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Nagoya Airport
By air 1 hour 20 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By airport shuttle bus 55 minutes
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Hirosaki Station
By Ou Main Line and Gono Line (through service) 1 hour 30 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By Gono Line 1 hour
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Chubu Centrair International Airport
By air 1 hour 20 minutes
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Akita Airport
By car 2 hours 10 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Chubu Centrair International Airport
By air 1 hour 20 minutes
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Akita Airport
By coach 40 minutes
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Akita Station
By Ou Main Line 1 hour
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Noshiro Station
By car 45 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Osaka International Airport (Itami)
By air 1 hour 15 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By car 1 hour 5 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By car 50 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Osaka International Airport (Itami)
By air 1 hour 15 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By airport shuttle bus 55 minutes
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Hirosaki Station
By Ou Main Line and Gono Line (through service) 1 hour 30 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By Gono Line 1 hour
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Osaka International Airport (Itami)
By air 1 hour 5 minutes
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Akita Airport
By car 2 hours 10 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Osaka International Airport (Itami)
By air 1 hour 5 minutes
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Akita Airport
By coach 40 minutes
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Akita Station
By Ou Main Line 1 hour
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Noshiro Station
By car 45 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 45 minutes
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 15 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By car 1 hour 5 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By car 50 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 45 minutes
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 15 minutes
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Aomori Airport
By airport shuttle bus 55 minutes
-
Hirosaki Station
By Ou Main Line and Gono Line (through service) 1 hour 30 minutes
-
Shirakami-Sanchi area (Ajigasawa)
By Gono Line 1 hour
-
Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fukaura)
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 45 minutes
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 5 minutes
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Odate–Noshiro Airport
By car 30 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 45 minutes
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Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 5 minutes
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Akita Airport
By coach 40 minutes
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Akita Station
By Ou Main Line 1 hour
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Noshiro Station
By car 45 minutes
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Shirakami-Sanchi area (Fujisato)
Accommodations
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The Rockwood Hotel and Spa
A hot spring resort hotel at the base of Mt. Iwaki. With exclusive guides on hand, it is ideal as a base for hiking and mountain climbing.
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Hotel Grand Mer Sankaiso
A very hospitable hotel featuring cuisine for every season, an ancient seawater hot spring, and live performances of Tsugaru shamisen.
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Furofushi Onsen
A hot spring hotel facing the Japan Sea. Enjoy great views and the sound of the sea as you sit in a hot outdoor bath set into the coastline.
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Hotel Yutoria Fujisato
Lodgings located in the Shirakami-Sanchi area. Offers packages for hiking and climbing in Shirakami-Sanchi.
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WeSpa Tsubakiyama
A complex accommodation facility with a glass workshop and insect museum. With a bus to the Shirakami-Sanchi, this is a convenient base for travelling.
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Akita Shirakami Onsen Hotel
A hotel with a good reputation about its cleanliness and spacious rooms. Why not relax in the bath boasting its skin-smoothing hot spring.
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Hachimori isaribi onsen hatahatakan
The place to dip into a wooden outdoor hot spring in the shape of a fishing boat to watch the beautiful Japan Sea sunset.