Recommended sightseeing information on the Shirakami Sanchi Mountains. Shirakami Sanchi is a vast area located southwest of Hirosaki and straddling the border between Aomori and Akita Prefectures. It is famous as a World Natural Heritage site with one of the world's largest primeval beech forests. It was registered as a World Heritage site in December 1993.
The area can be visited by various routes from both the Aomori and Akita Prefecture sides, but most visitors from the Aomori side take the route from Hirosaki via Nishimeya Village (Nishimeya Village). Fukaura Town, located on the Sea of Japan side, is home to the mysterious Aoike Pond.
Shirakami Sanchi is a vast mountainous region stretching across Aomori and Akita Prefectures in northern Japan. In December 1993, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, together with Yakushima, becoming one of Japan's first natural World Heritage sites. The area was recognized internationally for its enormous expanse of primeval beech forest that has remained largely untouched ...»
Aoiike Blue Pond is one of the famous lakes of Juniko, a group of lakes and ponds located within the Shirakami Sanchi World Natural Heritage area in northern Japan. Striking for its vivid cobalt-blue water, Aoiike is surrounded by ancient beech forests and peaceful mountains, creating a landscape that feels almost otherworldly. The exceptionally clear surface reflects the surrounding trees like a...»
A Group of Mysterious Lakes Surrounded by Ancient Forests Juniko, or the “Twelve Lakes,” is a beautiful group of lakes and ponds located in the Shirakami Mountains in western Aomori Prefecture. Despite its name, the area actually contains 33 lakes and ponds. Surrounded by mountains rising to more than 1,000 meters, Juniko is part of the Tsugaru Quasi-National Park and lies within the broader Shir...»
Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen is a famous hot spring resort in Henashi, Fukaura Town, in western Aomori Prefecture. Perched beside the Sea of Japan, it is renowned for its spectacular ocean views and its unique outdoor baths built directly beside the rocky coastline. The experience is especially memorable at sunset. As the sun sinks toward the horizon over the Sea of Japan, bathers can relax in the ...»
The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree is one of the largest and most impressive ginkgo trees in Japan. Located in Kitakanegasawa, Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, this enormous tree has long fascinated visitors with its extraordinary size, beautiful seasonal appearance, and deep connection with local religious traditions. Locally known as the Great Ginkgo of Kitakanegasawa, the tree is designated as a N...»
Fukaura Town is a scenic coastal town in Nishitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, where the rugged beauty of the Shirakami Mountains meets the Sea of Japan. Surrounded by ancient beech forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and a dramatic coastline, Fukaura is one of the best places in western Aomori to experience the region's unspoiled natural beauty. The town is particularly famous for Lake Juniko...»
Anmon Waterfalls are a spectacular series of three waterfalls located in Nishimeya Village, Aomori Prefecture. The waterfalls are formed along the Anmon River in the Shirakami Mountains, an area renowned for its vast beech forests and pristine natural environment. Surrounded by steep rock walls, moss-covered stones, and towering beech trees, the waterfalls offer visitors an opportunity to experie...»
Japan Canyon is a striking scenic destination in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan side of the Shirakami Mountains. The area is part of Tsugaru Quasi-National Park and is located near the famous Juniko lake district. The Shirakami Mountains are recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, although Japan Canyon itself is not included within the designated World Heritage a...»
When people think of tuna from Aomori Prefecture, Oma Tuna is often the first name that comes to mind. However, the town of Fukaura, located at the westernmost tip of Aomori Prefecture, is actually the region where the largest volume of wild bluefin tuna is landed within the prefecture. The wild bluefin tuna caught in Fukaura is known as Fukaura Tuna. Because it is mainly caught from spring throu...»
Yaki-ika, or grilled squid, is one of the signature foods of Ajigasawa Town in Aomori Prefecture. Located along the Sea of Japan, Ajigasawa has long benefited from the rich waters of the surrounding coast. Squid, sea bream, shrimp, and crab are among the area’s best-known seafood products, but freshly dried squid grilled over heat is perhaps the town’s most famous specialty. The most popular area...»
Aomori Prefecture is renowned for its high-quality squid, an important part of the region’s seafood culture. The squid caught in Aomori is known for its tender flesh, pleasant springy texture, and rich umami that becomes more pronounced with every bite. Two of the main types of squid caught in Aomori are yari-ika (spear squid) and surume-ika (Japanese flying squid). Each has its own season and ch...»
Mount Shirakami (Shirakami-dake) is a 1,235-meter-high mountain in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, and one of the most iconic peaks of Shirakami-Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vast primeval beech forests. Selected as one of Japan's 200 Famous Mountains, Mount Shirakami attracts hikers and nature lovers with its rich natural environment and spectacular views. Near the summit i...»
Senjojiki is a spectacular rocky coastline in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, overlooking the Sea of Japan. Part of the Tsugaru Quasi-National Park, this unusual coastal landscape is famous for its broad, flat rock formations that appear to stretch across the shore like thousands of traditional Japanese tatami mats. The name Senjojiki literally means "a thousand tatami mats," referring to the re...»
Michi-no-Eki Fukaura "Kasose Grilled Squid Village" is a unique roadside station along National Route 101 in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture. Its enormous squid sign makes it easy to spot, while its location beside the Sea of Japan makes it an excellent place to stop and enjoy the region's fresh seafood and beautiful coastal scenery. The roadside station brings together the natural bounty of Fuka...»
Dazai's Inn: Fukaura Literary Museum is a literary museum in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, housed in a former traditional Japanese inn where the famous writer Osamu Dazai actually stayed. The building was originally known as Akita-ya Ryokan. Dazai stayed here while traveling through the Tsugaru region and working on his celebrated travelogue Tsugaru. The inn itself appears in the book, making ...»
Engakuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Fukaura, Aomori Prefecture, belonging to the Daigo-ha school of Shingon Buddhism. Its mountain name is Shunkosan, and the principal Buddhist image enshrined at the temple is the Eleven-Headed Kannon, a form of Kannon associated with compassion and protection. The temple is also the 10th temple of the Tsugaru Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, a tradit...»
A Peaceful Cape Surrounded by Nature Yukiaizaki Coast is a beautiful cape in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, where dramatic coastal rocks meet gentle grassy hills overlooking the Sea of Japan. Although rugged rock formations can be seen along the coast, much of the cape is covered in soft green grass, creating a surprisingly peaceful landscape. The contrast between the rocky cliffs, open grassl...»
Fukaura Marine Station “Fukaura Marugoto Market” is a popular destination where visitors can experience the many local flavors of Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture. The market brings together fresh seafood from the surrounding waters, vegetables grown in the fertile local countryside, handmade processed foods, sweets, and regional souvenirs. The name “Marugoto,” meaning “the whole thing” or “everyt...»
Seki Kamesugi Cedar is a magnificent giant cedar tree standing in Seki, Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture. Designated as a Natural Monument of Aomori Prefecture, the tree is estimated to be approximately 1,000 years old. The cedar reaches approximately 35 meters in height, while its trunk measures around 7 meters in circumference at eye level. Its immense size and age give it an overwhelming presen...»
Aomori Flounder is a highly prized fish from Aomori Prefecture, a region known for its abundant seafood and high-quality marine products. Aomori is one of Japan's leading flounder-producing areas, and its flounder is valued for its distinctive flavor and excellent texture. The quality of Aomori Flounder is so highly regarded that it is often said to have a noticeably different taste from flounder...»
Ajigasawa Chicken Bow is a popular local snack from Ajigasawa Town in western Aomori Prefecture. Loved by local residents for generations, it is enjoyed as a quick snack by children as well as a savory accompaniment to beer. The dish is made by thinly stretching chicken, placing it on a stick, coating it in a crisp batter, and deep-frying it. It resembles a Japanese-style fried chicken known as t...»
Ajigasawa Town in Aomori Prefecture is well known for its traditional dried seafood. Located along the Sea of Japan, the town has a long history of drying freshly caught fish and seafood in the natural sea breeze. The combination of wind, salt, and time helps concentrate the seafood's natural umami, creating flavorful dried products enjoyed by both local residents and visitors....»