Shirakami Sanchi, a World Heritage Site [Tomeyama, Happo Town, Akita Prefecture] A power spot beech forest

  • Akita
  • Experience Gifu
A beech tree over 300 years old
Do you know what is amazing about the Shirakami Mountains? It is a concentration of headwaters that have been largely untouched by humans, and it is said to be one of the world's largest remaining virgin beech forests.
To see for ourselves the beauty of this forest, the staff of JR East Travel Service Center Akita visited "Tomeyama" in Happo Town, located at the southern end of the Shirakami Sanchi (Mountainous Region).
The Shirakami Sanchi is the collective name for the mountainous backlog that stretches from southwestern Aomori Prefecture to northwestern Akita Prefecture, and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site (natural heritage) in 1993. It is also a treasure trove of rare plants, as well as birds and insects, such as the black woodpecker.

Tomeyama" Walking Course from the Akita Prefecture side of the Shirakami Sanchi (mountainous area in the Shirakami Mountain Range)

Shirakami Sanchi has several walking and climbing trails. The name "Tomeyama" of the "Tomeyama" walking course, one of the trails, comes from the fact that, like many other Tomeyama trails in Japan, the name "Tomeyama" refers to a place where logging is stopped.

First, visit the Hakubaku Shrine.

It is a 5-minute drive from JR Higashi Yamori Station. The shrine is located a short distance into the mountain from National Route 101. The shrine is called "Shirataki," which means "white waterfall. In front of the hall of worship (outside), there are "sacred cards, red seals, and omikuji". Those who wish to receive good luck charms and prayers must contact the shrine in advance.
First, visit the Hakubaku Shrine.

Visit the famous Shirofaku Waterfalls, where the "Mikoshinoshi-no-Taki-yaburi" (Bathing in the Waterfalls) is famous.

Behind the Hakubaku Shrine is a waterfall. The waterfall is about 17 meters high and is the setting for the "Mikoshino-Taki-Yubi" (waterfall bathing) held annually on August 1 as part of the annual festival. After the men dressed in white and praying for a good harvest and prosperous business parade through the town, they enter the basin of the waterfall carrying a mikoshi (portable shrine), which is a heroic ritual. It is said to be the only time in Japan that a mikoshi (portable shrine) enters the basin of a waterfall. The water is so powerful due to the abundant flow that visitors can feel the spray, wind, and negative ions even from a distance. It is also one of the power spots in Happo Town. It is also a natural air conditioner in the summer.
White Waterfall, a blessing from the beech forest

Finally, we will go to "Tomeyama" walking course.

A 30-minute drive along the forest road behind Hakubaku Shrine will take you to the entrance to the Tome Mountain trail, where a guide will lead you on a one-hour walk. To protect the soft ground covered with rich humus and the roots of the trees, a bridge-like walking trail has been set up so that you can enjoy the Shirakami Mountains as if you were strolling through them. The top of the humus is really fluffy and fun to walk on♪
Information board of the walking course

The place where beech trees were harvested

The beech trees, which could not be used for building materials or for sowing with the wood processing technology of the time, were cut down and "useful" cedar trees were planted in their place. The soil in beech forests is so rich in water from snow and rain that it is called a "forest dam (natural dam). They stopped cutting the beech trees because they could no longer fulfill this role and no longer produce spring water. So this is just "the place where they stopped cutting beech trees. Unlike cedar forests, beech forests seem brighter because beech trees grow larger with more space between each other, according to the guide.
Artificially planted "cedar forest" (left) and untouched natural "beech forest" (right)
The best time to take a walk is in a light rain, the guide said. The leaves of the beech trees serve as umbrellas, so you hardly get wet. You can also feel the rainwater flowing down the trunks of the beeches and soaking into the ground. The rainwater soaks into the soil, is filtered, and then gushes out into the river over a long period of time, filled with minerals. The beech forest has been protected by the people since the era of the feudal government to secure a source of water for agriculture. In order to prevent the destruction of the rich forest that has been passed down to the present, visitors must be accompanied by a "guide" from the Happo Town Shirakami Guides' Association to enter the mountain.
Beech nuts are high in protein and fat and have high nutritional value.
They will guide you through the various types of plants, pointing them out one by one. The claw marks of a bear... the scent of the leaves of a black maple... I felt the richness of the forest resonating through all my senses, and I was able to feel the power of nature and be completely refreshed in body and soul. Why not take a trip to the Shirakami Sanchi, a true power spot?

Recommended nearby store "LABO and CAFE YAMAMOTO

Recommended group travel product】 "World Heritage Site Shirakami Sanchi Trekking (Tomeyama) and Yamori Isaribi Hot Springs One-day Trip by Resort Shirakami" starting and ending at Akita Station.

JR East Travel Service Center Akita introduces recommended group travel products departing from and arriving at Akita Station.
Shirakami Sanchi (World Heritage Site) Trekking (Tomeyama) and One-day Trip to Yamori Isaribi Hot Springs by Resort Shirakami"

■Departure Dates
May 25 (Sun), 31 (Sat)
June 3 (Tue), 5 (Thu), 8 (Sun), 14 (Sat), 17 (Tue), 19 (Thu), 22 (Sun), 28 (Sat)

■Number of applicants: 8 for each
■Minimum number of participants: 2 for each Minimum number of participants: 2 each

No tour guide will accompany the tour, but a guide will accompany the group to explore Tomeyama. After trekking, you can enjoy a bath at the Hatahata Kaikan. Lunch will be "Isaribi Bento", a long-running menu at the Hatahatakan.
The course has a promenade, so it is easy for even beginners to walk. Why not board the popular Resort Shirakami train and listen to the breath of the mountains in Tomeyama, where entry is not permitted without a guide?
For more information, please contact " JR East Travel Service Center Akita" at
For internet reservations, please visit " the package tour booking site of JR East View Tourism & Sales " at

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