Explore the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountain Range, a UNECSO World Nature Heritage Site

From the Okujuniko Chushajo bus stop, walk along the paved road while admiring the Ketobano-ike Pond to your left. In about 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at Ao-ike Pond. Although small, this pond has beautiful blue water.

From Ao-ike Pond, hike up a steep slope through a valley surrounded by broad-leaved trees. After about an hour, the path changes to a fairly level trail with many large boulders around it. Continue on for another 50 minutes to reach Okuzure. Okuzure is at the edge of a spot where a segment of the west rock wall collapsed. It boasts gorgeous views of the Lake Juniko area. Retrace the same route to complete the return leg of your hike.

Start the second day of the trek by taking the Gono Line from Juniko station to the Shirakami Tozan-guchi station (approx. 5 minutes). From Shirakami Tozan-guchi station, walk along the forest road for about 45 minutes to the parking lot at the trailhead. Then go up the stairs to the mountain hut above. Traverse the path through the old-growth beech forest and you will reach Futamata fork within about an hour of hiking from the trailhead.

Continue on for another 40 minutes to reach a place where you can refill your water. From here, hike up a steep gradient for about 50 minutes to reach Mateyama fork, then head to eastward following the gentle ridgeline. Continue hiking along the main ridge for two hours until you arrive at Omine fork, then hike southwards for another 15 minutes to Mt. Shirakami’s peak.

Retrace your route back to the starting point to complete the return leg of your hike.