2025 Nishimeya Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)
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🇯🇵Japan Aomori👣World Heritage Shirakami Mountains & Twelve Lakes The colors of the maple leaves are so beautiful😳
Shirakami-Sanchi is located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It has 130,000 hectares of forest green space and is the largest virgin beech forest in the world. Shirakami-Sanchi belongs to Tsugaru National Park. In 1704, due to the collapse and change of the strata caused by an earthquake, large and small lakes were formed. There are a total of 32 lakes, of which the 12 most famous lakes are easily visible from the observation deck.
The hiking trails in this section of the Twelve Lakes are wide and easy to walk on. The stairs and slopes along the way are not steep, making it a suitable section for family sightseeing and relaxation. If you are not in a hurry, it is recommended to stay here for 2 to 3 hours. Standing on the trail and overlooking the lake in front of you can make people forget the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in the mountains.
(This is a group tour, travel time: 2023/NOV)
#日本青森 #世界文物 #石神山地 #十二湖 #日本旅游
Shirakami Sanchi (Aomori & Akita) – A UNESCO World Heritage Forest of Pristine Woods
Shirakami Sanchi, spanning Aomori and Akita prefectures, is a vast beech forest registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. This area, where nature remains largely untouched by human hands, allows visitors to fully enjoy the grandeur of nature through forest bathing and hiking.
A particularly popular spot is Aoike, a mystical pond with beautiful blue water, true to its name. Other highlights include Anmon Falls and the Twelve Lakes, offering various scenic views depending on the season.
While access by car is convenient, some areas can only be reached on foot, so it's recommended to prepare for trekking. With plenty of guided tours available, even beginners can safely enjoy this natural spot.
[Aomori] 7 recommended spots to enjoy art, nature and food
\7 Recommended Spots in Aomori Prefecture/
First up in my favorite Tohoku region is Aomori Prefecture!
Beautiful nature, including Nebuta and Shirakami-Sanchi,
Delicious food, everything is the best!
Shirakami-Sanchi is quite large,
If you don't decide in advance where you're going and what you're going for,
you might have a hard time. (lol)
I recommend researching and planning in advance◎
By the way, I went to see Aoike☺︎
And the Nebuta House was also the best!
It was my first time seeing Nebuta,
but I was impressed by the power and high quality🥹
I want to go to a real Nebuta Festival someday!
And at the end, "Iyakawa", the Hoki bowl was so delicious,
I can't forget the taste,
I want to fly to Misawa just for this place🥹
I really recommend it, so please go◎
#DomesticTravelTrip #Aomori #Misawa
#0yentrave
#0yentravelautumn
Autumn was late this year, so I wasn't able to see the golden beech forest, but the green maple leaves were pretty good too. The local carrot juice I could buy on the spot was just the right amount of sweet and refreshing, and delicious. The nearest station is Juniko Lake, so I recommend taking the Gono Line Resort Shigarami. You can also experience the unique charm of a coastal line.
Aomori/Shirakami-Sanchi: Enchanting Blue Waters
Aomori's Aoike Pond in the Shirakami-Sanchi area is a mesmerizing lake known for its captivating blue waters. Located in the Juniko area of the Shirakami-Sanchi, Aoike Pond is particularly famous among the twelve lakes for its vivid blue color. This unique hue is a result of the lake's extremely clear water, the reflection of sunlight, and the components at the lake's bottom, creating a distinctive color. The shade of blue changes depending on the viewing angle and weather conditions, becoming even more radiant under strong sunlight, offering a different beauty with each visit.
Surrounded by the rich nature of Shirakami-Sanchi, the contrast between the surrounding forest and the blue lake surface is striking. This area is part of the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage site, known for its untouched nature and rich ecosystem. Well-maintained hiking trails allow visitors to enjoy a nature walk through the primeval beech forest on the way to the lake.
Accessing Aoike Pond is generally done by car, and it is relatively easy to reach from the nearest station, making it a convenient destination for tourists. With different scenery to enjoy in each season, Aoike Pond is a perfect spot for those looking to immerse themselves in natural beauty and find relaxation.

Popular Nishimeya Topics
Traveling between mountains and sea, the Shirakami train
🌈 Scenic Highlights: Ride the sightseeing train along the coast of the Sea of Japan and the Shirakami Mountains
🎟️ Ticket Information: No ticket required
🕐️ Opening Hours: From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku-Akita Shinkansen to JR Akita Station and JR Aomori Station to transfer to the Shirakami train. JRPASS can be used.
💗 Other Tips: Train schedule from Aomori: 8:09 Shirakami 2, 13:52 Shirakami 4, rest days Hirosaki 16:06 Shirakami 6. From Akita: 8:19 Shirakami 1, 10:50 Shirakami 3, 14:00 Shirakami 5.
Shirakami-Sanchi, a World Natural Heritage Site in Japan
#日本必去打卡点 Shirakami-Sanchi, this vast mountainous area is located in the northwest of Akita Prefecture and the southwest of Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan, covering an area of about 130,000 hectares. It has the world's largest native beech forest, with a wide variety of flora and fauna, extraordinary ecological value, and is unaffected by human influence.
In December 1993, Shirakami Sanchi was listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO, becoming one of only four World Natural Heritage Sites in Japan. Within the World Heritage area, it is divided into a core zone and a buffer zone. The core area on the Aomori Prefecture side is accessible via existing trails and 27 designated hiking routes, but these open guided areas are very limited relative to the entire Shirakami Mountains.
There is a toilet at the entrance of the scenic spot, and except for a few stairs, the rest of the area is completely original.
Normally you need to bring your own drinking water when entering a primeval forest, but this is not necessary here because the local management has clearly marked the location of drinkable natural spring water on the hiking trail map.
Shirakami Mountains not only has rich natural resources, but also has extremely high ecological value. It is home to the world's largest native beech forest, and these trees play a vital role in maintaining the natural ecological balance. In addition, this mountainous area is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, which give this land infinite vitality and vigor.
The local management attaches great importance to the protection of this natural heritage. They mark the location of drinkable natural spring water on the hiking trail map, providing great convenience for tourists. In addition, they have imposed strict restrictions on who can enter the core area to protect this natural environment that is not affected by humans. #Overseas Travel #Aomori Prefecture #JapanPhotography #Good Photography Spots #JapanTravel #JapanAttractions #World Heritage #World Natural Heritage #Primitive Forest #Beech
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