Shirakami-Sanchi

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Shirakami-Sanchi
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Type	Natural
Criteria	ix
Reference	663
UNESCO region	Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	1993 (17th Session)

Shirakami-Sanchi (白神山地, lit. white god mountain area) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Honshu, Japan. This mountainous, unspoiled expanse of virgin forest straddles both Akita and Aomori Prefectures. Of the entire 1,300 km², a tract covering 169.7 km² was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1993. Siebold's beech trees make up a large portion of the forest.

Summary

The Shirakami-Sanchi was one of the first sites entered on the World Heritage List in Japan, along with Yakushima, Himeji Castle, and Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area in 1993. The Shirakami-Sanchi is usually said to contain large areas of forest not covered by the World Heritage listing. However the level of preservation in these areas is not as high as in the central listed area. The World Heritage Site area has never been opened to human activity or trails other than mountain climbers' paths, and is planned to be protected in this state. Permission is needed from Forest Management to enter the heart of the Shirakami-Sanchi. Fishing requires permission from both the Fishing Cooperative and Forest Management.

Highlights

Anmon no taki

Primeval beech forest

The beech tree is usually unsuitable for cultivation of the Shiitake mushroom. Therefore beech forests have never been disturbed by Shiitake farmers and remain in a state of preservation much greater than that of surrounding forests. Apart from beech trees, Katsura, Kalopanax, Japanese Hop-hornbeam and other species of tall deciduous trees are found in the forest.

Anmon no taki (Shadow Gate Falls)

These triple falls in the World Heritage Site are easily accessible on foot and are a popular sightseeing destination.

Animals

• Black woodpecker (natural monument)
• Japanese serow (a type of goat antelope) (natural monument)
• Mountain hawk-eagle
• Golden eagle
• Japanese macaque
• Dormouse
• Asiatic black bear

Tsugaru quasi-national park

Shirakami-Sanchi is bordered on the east by Tsugaru quasi-national park.

Shirakami-dake

Shirakami-dake is the highest peak in Shirakami-Sanchi. It is 1,232 m (4,042 ft) in height.^[1] From the summit, fantastic views over the surrounding country can be seen; however the peak itself is not a part of the World Heritage Site and, as such, permission is not necessary to climb. The summit is equipped with toilet and shelter facilities.

Yūkyū-no-Mori (悠久の杜) Shirakami festival

At the foot of the Shirakami-Sanchi, the town of Hachimori in the Yamamoto District of Akita prefecture holds an annual concert in the open air.

See also

• List of World Heritage Sites in Japan
• Tourism in Japan

References

World Heritage Sites in Japan Hokkaido Shiretoko Tōhoku Shirakami-Sanchi Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land Kantō Shrines and Temples of Nikkō Ogasawara Islands Tomioka Silk Mill Chūbu Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration Kansai Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area Himeji Castle Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range Chūgoku Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape Kyushu Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu Yakushima

Coordinates: 40°28′12″N 140°07′48″E / 40.47000°N 140.13000°E / 40.47000; 140.13000