Shirakami-Sanchi (Shirakami Mountain Range)

Shirakami-Sanchi is a vast mountainous area straddling Aomori and Akita Prefectures. It is world-renowned for its well-preserved primeval beech forests, and together with Yakushima, it was among the first sites in Japan to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in December 1993. The inscription was based on its status as “the largest remaining virgin beech forest in the world, virtually untouched by human activity.”

The geological formation of the mountains dates back to about 90 million years ago, with Cretaceous granite. Later, during the Miocene period (approximately 20 to 12 million years ago), submarine volcanic activity created sedimentary and intrusive rocks, shaping the dramatic landscape we see today. The total area of Shirakami-Sanchi is about 130,000 hectares, of which roughly 17,000 hectares (169.7 square kilometers) are included in the World Heritage core zone. More than 70% of this area lies within Aomori Prefecture, with the remainder extending into northwestern Akita Prefecture.

The World Heritage site is divided into core and buffer zones, both subject to strict restrictions on development to ensure that the natural environment remains intact. The core zone is home to rich biodiversity, serving as a habitat for numerous plant and animal species and preserving rare ecosystems. However, conservation measures have also stirred controversy—for example, the total ban on hunting has led to the decline of the traditional Matagi hunting culture, once an integral part of life in these mountains, raising concerns about the disappearance of intangible cultural heritage.