Shirakami-Sanchi

Shirakami-sanchi (Shirakami Mountains) is situated in the north of Honshu with an area of 1,300 square kilometers. The heavily forested mountains are covered with one of the largest unspoiled virgin beech forests in the world.

Year Decision Comments
1993 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

John Booth (New Zealand):
I found the most convenient way of seeing the Shirakami was from the train that runs along the narrow coastal strip from Fukaura south to Noshiro. From its windows I saw the passing panorama of the rocky coastline on one side and the seemingly impenetrable beech clad mountains on the other.
I travelled up and down this line several times, getting off a small stations. One station was called Juniko, and from here I took a bus that travelled inland to the Juniko Lakes area. From here walking tracks led into the Shirakami Sanchi National Park.
Date posted: May 2010
Victoria (UK):
I visited Shirakami Sanchi in early March this year, but unfortunately due to the deep snow and lack of knowledge of the area was unable to really experience anything other than the visitors centre!! (Even getting into that was a bit of fun in knee-high snow!!)

That said, the centre is very well equipped and worth a visit in its own right. You can watch an IMAX film which is actually in English language originally but dubbed into Japanese and with English subtitles. It isn't quite free as the other reader said, but as good as :)

Even though I didn't get to see much I still felt as though I experienced some of Shirakami Sanshi, and I'd definitely recommend a visit. The site can be reached via a bus ride (just under an hour) from Hirosaki bus station - the staff there are very helpful. Do make sure you know when the return bus is!
 
ryan kim (USA):
I really enjoyed my trip to shirakami-sanchi in aomori-ken. it was quite difficult to find information on it, and public transportation is really complicated. but the virgin beech forest is quite spectacular. rent a car because public transport only allows for a very limited time in the forest. i really enjoyed the informative shirakami-sanchi museum (in english and japanese) and the free (something free in japan? yes!) imax movie about the beech trees (in japanese only). but the best thing about the experience was its isolated locale. sure, there were tourists hiking and taking pictures, but it was relaxing and so green. there are many onsen in the area as well.
Date posted: September 2005


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