Beat the Summer Heat with a Refreshing River Trek

Day-hike along the pristine waters of Akita Prefecture’s Shirakami Mountains

Shirakami-Sanchi is a term for a mountainous area that straddles the border of Aomori and Akita Prefectures in the northern Tohoku region. In 1993, it was designated as Japan’s first World Natural Heritage site in recognition of its 8,000-year-old virgin beech forest. The primeval forest is a fascinating place to experience nature’s wonders and explore the variety of plant and animal species that make up an ecosystem untouched by human development. 

Every year, from July to mid-September, local guides lead full-day “sawa aruki” treks along the river’s course, a unique, immersive way to experience the more remote areas of this spectacular mountain region. Here, the only sounds you’ll hear are birds and the rushing of the crystal-clear waters of the Fujikoto River that flows gently down the mountain valley. 
 

You’ll be encouraged to make the most of the experience: just appreciating the solitary nature of the forest and its flora and fauna as you hike along, or plunging into the river waters to cool off. Along the way, take a break from the trek to enjoy a hearty lunch made of locally grown rice and wild vegetables. 

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Akita Shinkansen to Akita Station (about three hours and 40 minutes). From there, take the JR Ou Line to JR Futatsui Station (one hour and 20 minutes). A bus from this station to the tour location at Mori no Eki takes about 30 minutes. By air, it takes about one hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Odate-Noshiro Airport, and another 30 minutes by car to Mori no Eki.
 

Shirakami River Trekking (Akita Shirakami Guides Association)