Shirakami-Sanchi

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Shirakami-Sanchi*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Japan
Type	Natural
Criteria	ix
Reference	663
Region†	Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	1993  (17th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

Shirakami-Sanchi (白神山地, Shirakami-Sanchi^? lit. white god mountain area) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Honshū, 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. Beech trees make up a large portion of the forest.

Contents 1 Summary 2 Highlights 2.1 Primeval beech forest 2.2 Anmon no taki (Shadow Gate Falls) 2.3 Animals 2.4 Tsugaru quasi-national park 2.5 Shirakamidake 2.6 Yuukyuunomiri Shirakami festival 3 History

[edit] Summary

The Shirakami-Sanchi was one of the first sites entered on the World Heritage List in Japan, along with Yakushima, Himeji Castle, and the Hōryū-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.

[edit] Highlights

[edit] 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, harigiri, asada and other varieties of tall deciduous trees are found in the forest.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] Tsugaru quasi-national park

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

[edit] Shirakamidake

• 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.

[edit] Yuukyuunomiri 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.

[edit] History

v • d • e World Heritage Sites in Japan Buddhist Monuments, Hōryū-ji Area · Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu · Himeji Castle · Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) · Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) · Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara · Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama · Itsukushima Shinto Shrine · Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape · Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range · Shirakami-Sanchi · Shiretoko · Shrines and Temples of Nikkō · Yakushima

Coordinates: 40°28′12″N 140°07′48″E / 40.47, 140.13