- Shirakami-Sanchi
Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Shirakami-Sanchi
State Party = JPN
Type = Natural
Criteria = ix
ID = 663
Region = Asia-Pacific
Year = 1993
Session = 17th
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/663nihongo|Shirakami-Sanchi|白神山地|extra=lit. "white god mountain area" is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in northernHonshū ,Japan . This mountainous, unspoiled expanse ofvirgin 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.ummary
The Shirakami-Sanchi was one of the first sites entered on the World Heritage List in Japan, along with
Yakushima ,Himeji Castle , and theHōryū-ji area Buddhist monuments 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
Primeval beech forest
*The Beech is usually unsuitable for cultivation of the
Shiitake mushroom . Therefore the 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 beeches, Katsura,Kalopanax ,Japanese Hop-hornbeam and otherspecies of talldeciduous trees are found in the forest.Anmon no taki (Shadow Gate Falls)
*These triple falls within the World Heritage Site are easily accessible on foot and are a popular sightseeing destination.
Animals
*
Black Woodpecker (Natural monument)
*Japanese Serow (a type ofgoat 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 .hirakamidake
*Shirakamidake is the highest peak within Shirakami-Sanchi. 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.
Yuukyuunomiri Shirakami festival
*At the foot of the Shirakami-Sanchi, the town of Hachimori in the
Yamamoto District ofAkita prefecture holds an annual concert in the open air.History
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
