Shirakami-Sanchi (白神山地) is a World Heritage Site in the northern Tohoku region of Japan, straddling the prefectures of Akita and Aomori.
Shirakami-Sanchi is one of Japan's, and Asia's, few remaining beech (ブナ buna) forests.
Tucked away in a remote, mountainous corner of the cold north, Shirakami-Sanchi is snowed in and all but inaccessible between November and May.
Access to protected buffer zone, around the World Heritage site, requires a permit from the Aomori office of the Tohoku Regional Forest Office (tel. 017-781-2117, ), and the bureaucracy pretty much requires that you can handle Japanese or get someone to do it for you. However, the park's most popular attractions, including the Anmon-no-Taki Falls, do not require permits. And there is also a good trail along the border to the restricted zone
- Anmon-no-Taki Waterfall. Three-tiered waterfall cascading 26, 37 and 42 meters. About 1 hr 30 min on foot from the visitor center.
- Visitor Centre. Entry is free, but the IMAX movie on the park (shown 5 times a day) costs ¥200. Open around the year.
Anmon-no-Taki Waterfall. Three-tiered waterfall cascading 26, 37 and 42 meters. About 1 hr 30 min on foot from the visitor center.
Visitor Centre. Entry is free, but the IMAX movie on the park (shown 5 times a day) costs ¥200. Open around the year.
- Furofushi hot spring. 08:00-15:30. At the base of the mountains, but outside the protected zone, this hot spring has muddy baths just beside the sea. One mixed bath and one female-only bath. Indoor baths also available. ¥600.
Furofushi hot spring. 08:00-15:30. At the base of the mountains, but outside the protected zone, this hot spring has muddy baths just beside the sea. One mixed bath and one female-only bath. Indoor baths also available. ¥600.