JR Noshiro Station
Noshiro Bus Station
JR Ou Main Line/ 60 mins
JR Gono Line/ 5 mins
Express Bus/ 75mins
Express Bus/10hrs 40mins
* All travel times mentioned are approximate.
Shirakami-Sanchi UNESCO Natural WorldHeritage Site
Shirakami-Sanchi is part of the Shirakami mountain range which straddles the northwest of Akita Prefecture and southwest of Aomori Prefecture. The wooded mountainous terrain varies in altitude from 100m to 1200m above sea level and covers an area of approximately 130,000 hectares. Deep within it stands a virgin beech forest which was listed as Natural World Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in December 1993.The area could be described as a ‘living museum of nature’. This forest is home to around 500 plant species and many animals including the Japanese Serow, a living national treasure of the forest and the Japanese Macaque. This area also supports birdlife such as Golden Eagles, Black Woodpeckers (both of which are protected species) and the Mountain Hawk-Eagle along with over 2000 confirmed species of insect. In the Akita-Shirakami area, Dakedai Nature Education Forest, Mt. Tomeyama and Mt. Futatsumori are recommended places to visit、experience and enjoy a similar natural environment to Shirakami-Sanchi. You can experience and enjoy the same natural environment here too. Come and see the bright green leaves of early summer or the vibrant foliage in fall. Enjoy the delights that each of its four distinct seasons has to offer!
Dakedai Nature Education Forest
Why not experience similar surroundings to the pristine core forest area of the World Heritage Site? You can see amazing 400-year-old beech trees here. The scenic combination of large moss-covered rocks and old beech forest is breathtakingly beautiful and one of the area’s best features. There are walking trails through the woods, some of which are suitable for wheelchair users.
Futatsumori stands at 1086m high. There is a car park conveniently located near the mountain access point which leads directly into the buffer zone of the Natural World Heritage Site area. The walk to the summit takes about 50 minutes. T h e p a n o r a m i c v i e w f r o m t h e top overlooks the pristine beech forest of Shirakami-Sanchi with the Japan Sea in the distance.
This precious mountain only stands 160m to 180m high but despite its low elevation still retains its natural deciduous forest. There is a walking trail from which you can see 300 year-old beech and oak trees. Entry to the site is permitted only if accompanied by a registered Happo Town guide.
A Japanese luxury restaurant Kaneyu was founded in 1890 and closed its doors in 2008. The building and its grounds were then donated to the City of Noshiro in 2009. The existing building was constructed in 1937. This magnificent and refined structure reflects the vitality, prosperity and cultural aspects of Noshiro at that time. Features of the building’s construction also clearly demonstrate the outstanding woodworking skills that Noshiro craftsmen possessed during its heyday. It was listed as a ‘National Tangible Cultural Property’ in 1998.
Please take a tour around the building and you will be see the impeccable use of specially selected high quality natural Akita cedar used in its construction.
The 147.2km line runs between Higashi-Noshiro station in Akita Prefecture and Kawabe station in Aomori Prefecture. It runs along the Japan Sea coast and beside the Shirakami-Sanchi mountain range. You can enjoy great mountain and sea views at the same time which appeals to railway fans and tourists alike.
‘Resort Shirakami’ trains have been specifically designed for maximum enjoyment of this scenic route. The train slows down at sightseeing spots and has on-board events such as Tsugaru shamisen concerts. This is a railway journey to savor and enjoy. Have a great trip!
The House of Kaneyu
Mitane Town is the largest producer of junsai in Japan.Junsai (water shield) is a perennial plant of the water lily family. It is a luxury food that has been appreciated since long ago. In recent years, it has also been confirmed that junsai contains a high content of polyphenol just like in Japanese green tea.
Junsai grows in shallow ponds about 60cm deep, is harvested from May to August, and is hand-picked from boats. How about experiencing traditional junsai picking first hand? You will be taught all about how to sit in a boat and pick junsai. Have a go!
The Japan Railways (JR) Gono Line Railway (Resort Shirakami)
Shirakami-Sanchi Natural World Heritage Site is divided into a core area of untouched virgin forest and an area of forest around it which acts as a buffer zone.
MAP
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Haneda AirportJAL・ANA / 65 mins
JAL・ANA / 60 mins
ANA / 85 mins
JAL・ANA / 80 mins
JR Akita Station
Tokyo・IkebukuroStation (West Exit)
JR Tokyo StationAkita Shinkansen / 3hrs 50mins
JR Sendai Station
JR Sendai Station (in front of)
Akita Shinkansen / 2hrs 15mins
Express Bus/ 3hrs 35mins
*Shared airport taxis are available with prior booking.
HanedaAirport
ANA / 70minsOdate-Noshiro
Airport Noshiro City
Car / 45 mins
Shin-Chitose Airport
Chubu Intl. Airport
Itami Airport
AkitaAirport
Limousine Bus / 35 mins.
JR Higashi-Noshiro Station
Akita-Shirakami area covers Noshiro City and the towns of Fujisato, Mitane and Happo in Akita Prefecture
Akita-Shirakami area covers Noshiro City and the towns of Fujisato, Mitane and Happo in Akita Prefecture
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Junsai Picking ExperienceMAP
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MAP
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Access
⃝Access to sightseeing spotsMany of the sightseeing spots in this area cannot be accessed solely by use of public transport. We therefore recommend you use a rental car, taxi or bicycle during your stay.
Mt.FutatsumoriMAP
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Mt.TomeyamaMAP
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Shirakami-SanchiWorld Heritage Site
includingAkita-Shirakami
Shirakami-SanchiWorld Heritage Site
includingAkita-Shirakami
Shin-Chitose Airport
Akita AirportOdate-Noshiro Airport
Haneda Airport
Chubu International AirportItami Airport
Akita
Akita-Shirakami areaAkita-Shirakami area
Sendai
Tokyo
Odate-kita IC Kosaka JCT
Morioka ICMorioka
Tazawako
Lake Towada
Kakunodate
Ashiro IC
OdateTakanosu
Futatsui
Akita-Shirakami
To Aomori
Akita
Higashi Noshiro
Yokote Kitakami JCT
To Sakata
To Yamagata
Omagari
Kawabe JCT
Oga
To Hachinohe
101
101
285
107
7
7
7
13
13
Konoura ICYokote IC
Ogachi Komachi IC
Uetsu Main Line
Honjo IC
Oga Line Showa-Ogahanto IC
Akita Nairiku Line
Gono Line
Futatsui-Shirakami IC
Noshiro-minami IC
Akita Airport IC
Akita-chuo IC
Odate-minami ICHanawa Line
Odate-Noshiro Airport
Akita Airport
Lake Tazawa
Noshiro
Ou M
ain Line
Akita Shinkansen
Akita Expressway
Tohoku Expressw
ay
Tohoku Shinkansen
By PlaneBy TrainBy Car
Kotooka-Moritake IC
八郎湖SA
Noshiro-minami IC
Noshiro-higashi IC
Futatsui-Shirakami IC
Niida-Manaka IC
大館北IC
Hachiryu IC
Odate-minami IC
Akita Expressway
Shirakamidake-Tozanguchi
Matsukami
JunikoTo Furofushi Onsen
Omagoshi
Iwadate
Akita-Shirakami
TakinomaHachimori
Higashi-Hachimori
Sawame
Torigata
Kita-Noshiro
Mukai-Noshiro
Noshiro
おおだてShimokawazoi
Nukazawa
Takanosu
FutatsuiTomine
MaeyamaTsurugata
Higashi-Noshiro
Kita-Kanaoka
Moritake
Kado
こいかわ
Ou Main LineNishi-Takanosu
Ogata
Onodai
Aikawa
Kamisugi
Yonaizawa
Katsurase
Animaeda
Maeda-Minami
Kobuchi
あにあい
あらせ
Hayaguchi
Ou M
ain Line
Gono Line
7
7
7
101
101
285
101
285
198
105
102
4
4
37
54
211
294
314
214
309215
203
203
325
196
111
198
210
205
143
209
206
202322
200
317
217
54
42
64
63
243
男鹿街道
五城目街道
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Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Listed Area(Core Area)
Noshiro City
Ogata Village
Oga City
五城目町 上小阿仁村
Kitaakita City
Odate CityFujisato Town
Happo Town
Fukaura TownAjigasawa Town
Nishimeya Village
Owani Town
Hirosaki City
Akita-Shirakami Prefectural Nature Park
Hachimori-Iwadate Prefectural Nature Park
Akita-Shirakami Prefectural Nature Park
Tashirodake Prefectural Nature Park
Owani Ikarigaseki Hot Spring Area Prefectural Nature Park
Kimimachizaka Prefectural Nature Park
Akita Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture
Mitane Town
Yoneshiro River
Miyama Lake
Asanai Wetlands
Noshiro Port
Noshiro Energium Park(Noshiro Nebunagashikan)
Hiyama Castle Ruins
Sunbario Hands-on Learning Center
Kitaakita City TICShikimikan
Hokuo-no-Mori Park
Moriyoshisan Dam Visitor Center
異人館・伝承館
妖精の森
Yumelon
Moritake OnsenkyoYupal
Quince Moriyoshi
Ayukko
Yunodai Onsen
Polder Kata-no-yu
生態系公園桜並木
菜の花ロード
WAO
Shirataki Shrine
Subari Shrine
Iwadate Coast
Shirakami Fureai-kan
Mase Valley
Goshonodai Fureai Park
Akita-Shirakami Experience Center
ビジターセンター
Akita Shirakami Onsen
Yunosawa Onsenkyo
Kimimachizaka
Daira-kyo Gorge
Tanashiro Wetlands
Kurumidai Campsite
Birthplace of the faithful dog Hachiko
Tashiro Onsen Yuppura Nagatoro
Onsen
Shirakami-Sanchi Visitor Center
Goshonodai Autocamp Ground
Hirataki Nature Observation Study Forest
Subari National Recreation Area(Subari Park)
Bishamon Ikoi-no-Mori
Hokuo-no-Mori Autocamp Ground
1000-year-old Zelkova tree
Ponpokoyama Park
Kobu Cedar ‒ Kamiouchizawa Nature Observation Study ForestKobu Cedar ‒ Kamiouchizawa Nature Observation Study Forest
Ishikurayama Park Campsite
五里合海水浴場
Fujisato Municipal Ski Area
Meya Dam
Anmon FallsAkaishi Dam
Moriyoshisan Dam
Shikimi Lake
Mt. Shirakamidake1232
Mt.Ohachinagare625
Mt. Mukai-Shirakamidake1243
Mt. Tengudake958
Mt. Masedake988
Mt. Kodake1042.3
Mt. Hiyamizudake1043
Mt. Jinbadake1049
Mt. Chokeimori943
Mt. Shiritakamori
Mt. Komagatake1158
Mt. Eboshidake1133 Mt. Tashirodake
1178
Yamase Dam
Hayaguchi Dam
Mt. Tsukinoki692
Mt. Kuromori489
Mt. Gengorodake559
Mt. Boju409
Mt. Omori400
姫ヶ岳650
Ogata
Kamikoani
Odate-Noshiro Airport
Takanosu
Futatsui
Minehama
Hachimori
Buriko
MyogakanMyogakan
Greenpia
Melodian
Hatahatakan
Kaze-no-MatsubaraThe House of Kaneyu
Ira River
Caution: Road shoulderKuroishi Forest Road
×××
Mt. Nanakura
Negikko-mura
Taho-in Temple
Dragon Fresh Center
(Buffer Area)
Shirakami-Sanchi Mori-no-Eki
Yutoria FujisatoYutoria Fujisato
Oraho-no-yakata
Akita Nairiku Line
Subari Dam
Tallest natural Akita cedar tree in JapanTallest natural Akita cedar tree in Japan
Shirakami-Sanchi Natural World Heritage SiteShirakami-Sanchi Natural World Heritage Site
Koani River
Hachimori Coast
Sun Sun ParkCottage-mura CampsiteSun Sun ParkCottage-mura Campsite
Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Listed Area(Core Area)
Tsurubeotoshi Pass
Mt.Tomeyama
Hachimori Bunakko Land
Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Center
Mt.Futatsumori1086
Mt.Futatsumori1086
( )Passing difficult in places( )Passing difficult in places
Junsai-no-Yakata
Kimimachi-Sanchokun
Shirakami-kaido Fujisato
Ichozan ShrineNanakura Shrine
MAP
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MAP
5
MAP
6
MAP
8
MAP
7
MAP
4
MAP
3
MAP
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Dakedai Nature Education ForestDakedai Nature Education Forest
Odate-Noshiro AirportOdate-Noshiro Airport
Nibuna Mizusawa Conservation ForestNibuna Mizusawa Conservation Forest
Noshiro BusStationNoshiro BusStation
Kotooka
Choshi FallsChoshi Falls
Garo FallsGaro Falls
LocalSpecialties
Akita Prefecture is situated in Tohoku in northeast mainland Japan. The region known as Akita-Shirakami in northwest Akita Prefecture covers the southern part of the UNESCO inscribed Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Site. The Yoneshiro River flows through Akita-Shirakami from east to west into the Japan Sea. This mountainous area with its rivers and the sea is renowned for its abundant natural resources.
In the past, the logs from Akita cedar trees felled in the Yoneshiro river basin were floated downriver to Noshiro City. By the first half of the 20th century, Noshiro flourished as the center of the Akita cedar forestry industry and was known as the ‘Wood Capital of the Orient’.
The climate of Akita-Shirakami is cooler than Tokyo and has snow in winter. It also has four distinct seasons. Visitors can enjoy seasonal changes of this stunning natural scenery here.
Kaze-no-Matsubara
The Brides’ Festival
Shirataki Shrine Mikoshi Waterfall Purification
Noshiro Yaku Tanabata
Kaze-no-Matsubara is a forest of 7 million trees planted along the coastline of Noshiro City. It is one of the largest sand erosion-control forests in Japan. Woodchip-paved walking trails, jogging and cycling courses running through the forest enable its nature to be enjoyed at any time of year. Please look for the vermillion-colored “torii” gateways leading to Omori Inari Shrine when you visit.
The current main hall was built in 1771. The corridor uses nightingale floors which are rarely seen in the Tohoku region of Japan. The garden is said to have been modelled on that of Ginkaku-ji Temple(Temple of the Silver Pavilion) in Kyoto. It is also well-known as a site for weeping cherry blossom viewing.
Men dressed in white costumes carry a mikoshi (portable Shinto shrine) around the town of Happo. It is ritual to heroically stand beneath the waterfall. The event takes place on August 1st every year to pray for a rich harvest, safety at sea and business prosperity. It is a rare sight for a portable shrine to be carried beneath a waterfall even in Japan.
Asama Shrine Festival ・Fujikoto Hosaku (good harvest) Dance
This festival takes place on September 7th and 8th in Fujisato Town.The Fujikoto Hosaku Dance dates back to around 400 years ago when feudal lord Yoshinobu Satake was transferred from Mito to Akita. This dance is said to have evolved from his retainers’ performances during this long journey.There is much to enjoy at this festival with its dancing, such as Koma-odori (horse dance), the horseback samurai performance that imitated the departure to the battlefield, Shishi-mai (lion dance), and Yakko-odori (male valets dance).
The festival takes place on August 6th and 7th in Noshiro City during which gigantic castle-shaped lanterns are paraded around the city. On the second day, the castle ornaments of shachi (a mythical fish with a lionlike head) are removed from the top of the float and carried to the foot of Noshiro O-hashi Bridge. The shachi are then placed on a raft, set alight and drifted down the Yoneshiro River.
Akita Cedar Pails and CasksThe production of Akita cedar pails and casks is a nationally designated traditional craft. Akita cedar is well-known for its beautiful grain and appealing aroma but it also has moisture absorbency and heat insulating properties too. Since long ago Akita cedar pails and casks have been a necessity of everyday life. Traditional cedar pails and casks construction techniques have been adapted to produce a variety of cooked-rice containers, jugs, cups and other items to suit modern lifestyles.
Hiyama NattoNaturally dried rice straw and locally grown soybeans are used to make natto or fermented soybeans. The traditional production methods of Hiyama Natto have remained unchanged since the Edo period. Fermented beans retain much of their original texture when eaten. Hiyama Natto has a delicious taste all of its own and is quite different from modern natto.
It is believed that tea cultivation was brought to the area from Uji in Kyoto as early as 1730. The production capacity of the tea plantation is limited which means that Hiyama tea is rarely distributed. You may however enjoy the taste and aroma of Hiyama green tea flavored yokan or sweet bean jelly.
Hatahata-zushi is a local delicacy made from hatahata (sandfish) which Akita is famous for. It is a well-loved winter preserved fish that is a must during New Year’s celebrations. The ingredients consist of sandfish, rice, carrots and rice malt which is then pickled in salt and vinegar.
Hiyama Green Tea(Green tea flavored sweetbean jelly)
Shottsuru (Salted and fermented fish sauce)It is a famous dish of Akita where sandfish are salt-pickled whole and left to ferment and mature. It is a kind of fish sauce similar to ‘Nam Pla’ in Thailand and ‘Nuoc Mam’ in Vietnam. It complements one-pot and stews with its distinct aroma and rich umami flavor.
Hatahata-zushi (Fermented sandfish sushi)
This festival takes place at Hiyoshi Shrine every April of the old lunar calendar. Newly-wed brides married less than a year come in wedding dress and line up along the approach to the shrine to express thanks for finding a good partner and pray for happiness. The god of matchmaking is worshipped at Hiyoshi Shrine and the festival is said to originate from when brides came here to pray for a happy marriage.
This event takes place on August 3rd and 4th in Noshiro City. It is recorded that a 17.6m tall castle-shaped lantern was paraded around the city in the 1830s. A lantern of the same height was built when the festival was resurrected as the ‘Sleepless Sky Castle Festival’ in 2013. A 24.1m tall castle-shaped lantern was also c o m p l e t e d i n 2014. Now two spectacular festival lanterns parade around Noshiro City accompanied by taiko drummers, festival music, and dancers.
Sandcraft
Noshiro Tanabata(Sleepless Sky Castle Festival)
ExpresswayNational HighwayLocal RoadPrefectural RoadOther RoadJR Railway LinePrivate RailwayPrefectural BoundaryMunicipal Boundary
Farmers MarketScenic SpotTourist Facilities
Hot SpringRoad Station
MAP
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Taho-in TempleMAP
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LocalFestivals
Mitane Town hosts this event at the end of July. Come and see magnificent professional sand sculptures. There is also a sand sculpturing contest for amateurs too. Work on the sand sculptures begins 2 weeks before the main event so feel free to visit beforehand.