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

1

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

3

Mt.TomeyamaMAP

2

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

1

MAP

5

MAP

6

MAP

8

MAP

7

MAP

4

MAP

3

MAP

2

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.