Mount Shirakami Sanchi

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization recognized the Shirakami Sanchi Mountains of Japan as a World Natural Heritage in 1993.

Shirakami Mountain (Vietnamese: White God) is also known as Mount Kosai , located north of Honshu Island. The entire Shirakami mountain area is a large spread of primeval forest in the area of ​​mountains from the southwestern part of Akita province to the northwest of Aomori province. The total area of ​​primary forest reaches 1,300 km2.

This mountain range consists of a series of high peaks and an extremely rich range of plants. On these peaks there exist primitive oak forests with an average age of about 8,000 years. So far, the Shirakami mountains are the only place in Asia that scientists think has primitive oak forests. What is more remarkable is that these oak forests have existed since the Ice Age , and they are still growing and continue to develop in the coming years. The Shirakami mountain range has an average altitude of 100 to 1,243 meters above sea level. The primitive oak forests in the Shirakami mountains are still the subject of botanical research not only in Japan but also in other countries in the world. Because oak trees are grown and thrive in the area of ​​Northern Europe, in Asia the number of trees is not much. But Shirakami not only has an oak forest but also a primitive forest that has been dated to 12,000 years and exists in a harsh climate.

Primitive oak forests range in age from 8,000 to 12,000 years in the Shirakami mountains.According to scientists, this is the only primitive oak in Asia.

The Shirakami mountain area also has many beautiful waterfalls, in which the three Anmon waterfall system (Anmon no taki) is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

Not only possessing rich vegetation and diverse waterfalls, Shirakami also has beautiful scenery. The morning mist covered the forest. The water begins to process from the roots supplied to the leaves, the leaves emit moisture that regulates the temperature. Moisture creates clouds and clouds bring rain to the forest.

In the autumn, the Shirakami mountains are submerged in a colorful world. The oak tree holds the leaves on the branches longer than any other broadleaf tree. The leaves start with young shoots when the snow melts and leaves the branches when the first snowflakes of the winter fall. In winter, many places in Japan can be as thick as 5m. Many people ask: why do oak forests still exist at the same time? According to analysts, oak is a very flexible plant. Young oak trees were caught by the snow, so much so that it swung down, but never broke, many trees were buried in thick snow. But when the snow melts, they sprout and produce new leaves, creating vast oak forests.

Beautiful natural scenery in Shirakami mountains

Along with oak, the Shirakami mountains also have other rare and precious endemic plants and a rich vegetation . The fauna in the mountains is also quite diverse with many rare and precious birds including black woodpecker, Japanese chamois, black bear .

The Shirakami Mountains are recognized by Unesco as World Natural Heritage under the criteria (ix): The Shirakami Mountains are home to extremely impressive natural landscapes and fresh air. The waterfall system here is voted among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. The original beech forest on Shirakima Mountain is the only native oak forest in Asia, so far the number of trees in the forest has reached the age of 8,000 - 12,000 years. The natural condition of this place is insignificant and snowy winter is up to 5 meters thick, but the trees that can grow well are proof of change to adapt to the environment. Besides, the Shirakami mountains are also the roof for many animals to grow.