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Aomori Nature Parks Website

http://www.shirakami-visitor.jp/aomoris-nature-parks장엄미경荘 厳 美 景아오모리현의아오모리※장엄하고�아름다운�경치

01The Milky Way at theKayano Highlands
Towada-Hachimantai
National Park

Aomori is an unexplored location in the north with flowers blossoming in spring
and the blue ocean shining in summer.
When the trees turn a burning red in autumn, it will soon be winter, a world of white and silver.
The incredible scenery of mother nature will steal your heart.
As one interacts with nature, slowly walking along a mountain road or shore,one begins to feel in awe of nature’s majesty.

Be in awe of natureAomori’s

Enclosed by the ocean on three sides,

Shimokita Hanto
Quasi-National Park

the climate differs between the Sea of Japan side andNature Parks

the Pacific Ocean side, allowing Aomori to boast of awide variety of landscapes and plants.
Aomori has 11 nature parks with outstanding scenery.

Towada-Hachimantai
National ParkSanriku Fukko(Reconstruction)
National Park

Tsugaru
Quasi-National Park
Asamushi-Natsudomari
Prefectural Natural Park

Ashino Chishogun
Prefectural Natural Park

National Park

Iwaki Kogen
Prefectural Natural ParkTowada-Hachimantai
National Park

Shimokita Hanto
Quasi-National Park

Tsugaru
Quasi-National Park

Shirakami-Sanchi
Natural World Heritage Site

Tsugaru Shirakami
Prefectural Natural Park

Quasi-National Park

Kuroishi Onsenkyo
Prefectural Natural Park

Owani Ikarigaseki Onsenkyo
Prefectural Natural Park

Prefectural
Natural Park

AsamushiNatsudomari
Prefectural
Natural Park

Owani Ikarigaseki
OnsenkyoPrefectural
Natural Park

Nakuidake
Prefectural
Natural Park

Ashino Chishogun
Prefectural
Natural Park

Kuroishi Onsenkyo
Prefectural
Natural Park

Sanriku Fukko(Reconstruction)
National Park
Nakuidake
Prefectural Natural Park

Iwaki Kogen
Prefectural
Natural Park

Tsugaru Shirakami
PrefecturalNatural Park

Towada-Hachimantai National Park

02

Shining autumn

Tsutanuma Lake in autumn

Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Towada-Hachimantai
National Park stretches
across Aomori, Iwate,
and Akita Prefectures.
Both Lake Towada andOirase Gorge have beencertified as Special
Places of Scenic Beauty
and Natural Monuments
by the Japanese
government. Every year,
countless tourists visit
the area to view Oirase’s
fresh greenery in spring
and the changing colorsof Tsutanuma inautumn. During winter,Mt. Hakkoda is coveredin fantastic ice-covered
trees known as “snowmonsters,” and the area
presents the varying
faces of nature
throughout the fourseasons.
Registered on February 1, 1936
38,358 ha (Aomori section)
Associated municipalities:
Aomori City, Towada City,
Kuroishi City, Hirakawa City

Plants in the Park

03

Captivating fresh greenery

Oirase Gorge in spring04

Hakkoda in early spring

Hakkoda’s “snow monsters”

05

Lake & sky

Broad dwarf daylily

Cotton-grass

Bog asphodel

Sundew

Lake Towada in early summer

06

Citrus-like full moonTanesashi Natural Lawn

Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National Park

Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National ParkThe Sanriku Fukko National Park was built as part of the effort to revitalize
Sanriku, the coastline struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake. All along theTanesashi Coast in Hachinohe City, Aomori, one finds gigantic, oddly shaped
rocks and sandy beaches, as well as over 500 types of wildflowers and plants
including Nippon daisies. From the shore, one can see Kabushima Island, afamous breeding ground for black-tailed gulls. Mt. Hashikami in the town ofHashikami is also a popular spot for torch azaleas.
Registered on May 24, 2013
2,423 ha (Aomori section)
Associated municipalities:
Hachinohe City, Hashikami Town

07

Nippon daisies by the water

Ashigezaki

Torch azalea

Nippon daisy

08

Torch azaleas blooming on the Obiraki Plain

09

Dramatic flight of gulls

10

Blessings

Kominato Coast

Plants in the Park

Adonis multiflora

Mt. Hashikami

Gulls on Kabushima Island

11

Ladders descending from the sky

Kabushima Island

Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park

12

View from the Shiriyazaki Lighthouse

Cape Shiriyazaki

Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park

Shining white against the backdrop of the blue sky, the Shiriyazaki Lighthouseoffers a view of the Tsugaru Strait and Pacific Ocean. Farm horses known as“Kandachime” can be seen all around, their manes billowing in the wind. The parkis also known for mystical spots such as Mt. Osore, one of Japan’s three mostsacred places, and Hotokegaura, a series of rock formations carved by years ofrough tides. The park has a unique natural landscape thanks to the harsh yet
beautiful nature of this northernmost part of Honshu.

Registered on July 22, 1968 18,641 ha
Associated municipalities: Mutsu City, Oma Town, Higashidori Village, Sai Village

13

Hotokegaura in summer

Hotokegaura Rock Formations

Plants in the Park

Japanese trillium

Asian pogonia

Thunberg lily

Japanese rose

14

Offerings for departed children

15

Severe winterMt. Osore

Kandachime horses at Shiriyazaki

16View of Mt. Iwaki from the summit of Mt. Shirakami

Mt. Shirakami

Tsugaru Quasi-National Park

Tsugaru Quasi-National ParkThe Tsugaru Quasi-National
Park consists of the coastal
area stretching from thenorthern Tsugaru Peninsula
to the Akita Prefecture
border as well as Mt. Iwaki
and various lakes. Mt.
Shirakami, part of the world
heritage Shirakami Sanchi
mountain range, the Lake
Juniko area that includes
Aoike Pond, and the coastal
terrace topography of Cape
Takanosaki and Cape Odose
showcase the changing faceof nature. Mt. Iwaki, thetallest mountain in Aomori
with a height of 1,625 m, isa place of mountainworship that attracts
countless visitors.
Registered on March 31, 1975
25,966 ha
Associated municipalities:
Hirosaki City, Goshogawara City,
Tsugaru City, Sotogahama Town,
Imabetsu Town, Nakadomari Town,
Ajigasawa Town, Fukaura Town

Plants in the Park

17

After the moonlit night ...

Moriyama Coast

18

Wakitsubo Pond

19

In the sun shining through the trees

20

Colony of broad dwarf daylilies

Keyflower

Cassiope

WeigelaBroad dwarf daylily

Lake Juniko"Ruddy Kingfisher" at Lake Juniko

Bense MarshAsamushi-Natsudomari Prefectural Natural Park

Overlooking Mutsu Bay, Asamushi Onsen
showcases the islands of Yunoshima,
Hadakajima, and Kamomejima scatteredin the ocean. Yunoshima is home tothousands of Asian fawnlilies, a plant
whose leaves and flowers here are nearly
double the size of those seen elsewhere.
Protruding into Mutsu Bay is theNatsudomari Peninsula, which is about 45
km all around. On the eastern side of thepeninsula lies Asadokoro Beach, a
registered Special Natural Monument that
attracts thousands of migrating swanseach year. One may forget the passage oftime while admiring the incredible viewand graceful swans.
Registered on June 10, 1953 4,964 ha
Associated municipalities: Aomori City, Hiranai Town

21

Shining wings

Natsudomari in winter22

Panoramic view of Asamushi

23

The Asian fawnlilies of the Natsudomari Peninsula

Asamushi in summer
Oshima in springPlants in the ParkAnemone
pseudo-altaicaJapanesecamellia

Corydalis ambigua

Asian fawnlilyOwani Ikarigaseki Onsenkyo Prefectural Natural Park

Owani Onsen boasts of some 800 years ofhistory. Every spring, Chausuyama Park,
which overlooks the village, is carpeted withover 10,000 almost blindingly bright azaleas.
Meanwhile, Mikasayama Park in Ikarigaseki
Onsen is famous for its hydrangea andautumn leaves, offering magnificent views of
the onsen village and surrounding
mountains. The entire park is enveloped innatural cedar trees, and the famous gigantic
rock known as the “stone tower” lies deep inthe mountains, standing alongside toweringcedar trees.

24

Panoramic view of Ikarigaseki

Mikasayama Park

25

Colorful mountains

27

Looking up from the summit

Plants in the Park

AzaleaRegistered on June 10, 1953
6,730 haAssociated municipalities:
Hirakawa City, Owani Town

Azaleas at Mt. Chausuyama

26

Colors of autumn

Giant rock and huge natural cedar trees

Hydrangea

Canola flower

Mt. Chausuyama

Nakuidake Prefectural Natural Park

Since ancient times,
Nakuidake has been asacred mountain in theNanbu region. Halfway up
the mountain is the famous
Hakkazan Hokoji Temple,
and the approach is linedwith pine trees. The temple
grounds contain Joyoto, athree-story pagoda thathouses the oldest Śarīra inJapan. Serene and quiet, it
is a spirit-cleansing
experience to stand there.
Meanwhile, Hase Peony
Park with its thousands ofpeony blossoms is a joy tovisit from May to June.
Registered on October 25, 1956
1,076 haAssociated municipalities:
Sannohe Town, Nanbu Town

Plants in the Park

28

Nanbu’s sacred mountain

Mt. Nakui, autumn

29

Joyoto31

Transient dance in the hills

Hokoji Temple, three-story pagoda

30

Viola yezoensis

Peony

Veronica rotunda
var. subintegra

Usuzaki violet

Peony Festival

Swallowtail butterfly near Hokoji Temple

Hase Peony Garden

Ashino Chishogun Prefectural Natural Park

The Ashino Chishogun Prefectural Natural Park is centered around the Fujieda
Reservoir, also known as Lake Ashino in Goshogawara City, and the Osawanai
Reservoir in Nakadomari Town. These reservoirs help maintain the paddy fieldsof the vast Tsugaru Plain and are home to aqueous plants and migrating birds.
In spring, cherry blossoms fill Ashino Park, a scene that becomes absolutelyunforgettable as the train on the Tsugaru Railway drives through the tunnel offlowers.

Plants in the Park

Somei Yoshino
CherryLotus

Water lily

Japanese plum

Registered on October 14, 1958 612 ha
Associated municipalities: Goshogawara City, Nakadomari Town

32

A scene to conserve – the Tsugaru Railway & cherry blossoms

Ashino Park

33

Ripples

Ashino Park, summer

34

White-eyeAshino Park

Kuroishi Onsenkyo Prefectural Natural Park

Registered on October
14, 1958
5,100 haAssociated municipalities:
Kuroishi City,
Hirakawa City

Plants in the Park

Kuroishi Onsenkyo Prefectural Natural Park enjoys the bounties of being close to theAseishigawa River. The water originates from Mt. Hakkoda, streaming down
unapproachably steep mountains before finally flowing into Aseishigawa Dam. Alongthe way, several hot springs form the Kuroishi Onsen Village. The burning crimson ofNakano Momiji-yama is especially captivating. Also, don’t miss the view of Fudo Falls
from Fudo Bridge, which looks like a painting done against a background of autumn
colors.

35

Fudo Bridge in burning colors

Nakano Momiji-yama

36

Fudo Falls

37

Fresh & green

JewelweedTouch-me-not balsam

Nakano Momiji-yama
Aseishigawa Dam38

Autumn in the mountains

Nakano Momiji-yama

Iwaki Kogen Prefectural Natural Park

Iwaki Kogen Prefectural Natural Park sprawls across the southern foot of Mt. Iwaki,
a sacred mountain worshipped locally for centuries. Iwakiyama Shrine is known as
another Nikko, with its ancient history and solemn atmosphere amplified by thedark cedar forests. In spring, 6,500 wild cherry trees blossom over a total distanceof 20 km, starting from Sakurabayashi Park in the highlands – a scene that has
been called the most amazing cherry blossom promenade in the world.

39

Mt. Iwaki & cherry blossoms

Iwakiyama Shrine

Plants in the Park

Registered on October 14, 1958
2,587 haAssociated municipality: Hirosaki CityCerasus
jamasakura

40

Necklace Road

Promenade of mountain cherries

Tsugaru Shirakami Prefectural Natural Park

Tsugaru Shirakami Prefectural
Natural Park offers attractive
gorges and waterfalls. Waterfrom Kurokuma Falls flows
slowly down Akaishi Stream,
which is a great spot for
effortlessly getting in touchwith nature. By contrast,
Anmon Stream is a place thatgives a sense that nature canbe harsh, even downrightterrifying. Travelling upstream
along the steep rock faces,
visitors arrive at Anmon Falls,
which features threewaterfalls. The Akaishi andAnmon Streams are bothmiracles born from theblessings of the Shirakami
mountain range, which has
stood tall and unchanging for
8,000 years.
Registered on July 7, 1981
5,341 haAssociated municipalities:
Ajigasawa Town, Nishimeya Village

Plants in the Park

41

Evening at Tsugaru Shirakami LakeTsugaru Dam

42

Akaishi Mountain Stream

Akaishi Mountain Stream

43

Monotropastrum
humileAmur adonisShortia

Wild chloranthus

Waterfalls

Anmon Falls

How to Get There
Award Winners of "To Preserve and Pass onto the Future:
Towada-Hachimantai
National Park
Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction)
National Park

Lake Towada/ about 3 hours and 10 minutes (summer) or
4 hours (winter) by JR bus from JR Shin-Aomori Station

Tanesashi Coast/ about a 5-minute walk fromJR Tanesashi Kaigan Station

Shimokita Hanto
Quasi-National Park

Cape Shiriyazaki/ about a 20-minute walk from
Shiriyazaki bus stop via Shimokita Kotsu Bus(no operation in winter)

Tsugaru Quasi-National Park

Lake Juniko (Aoike)/ about a 10-minute walk from
Oku Juniko bus stop via Konan Bus(no operation in winter)

Asamushi-Natsudomari
Prefectural Natural Park

Aomori's Nature Park Photography Contest"

Natsudomari Peninsula (Oshima)/ about 20 minutes bycar from Kominato Station on the Aoimori Railway Line

Owani Ikarigaseki Onsenkyo
Prefectural Natural Park

Chausuyama Park/ about a 15-minute walk from
Owani Onsen Station on JR Ou Main Line

Nakuidake
Prefectural Natural Park

Mount Nakui/ about 10 minutes by car from
Suwanotaira Station on the Aoimori Railway Line

Ashino Chishogun
Prefectural Natural Park

Ashino Park/ Ashino Park Station on theTsugaru Railway

Kuroishi Onsenkyo
Prefectural Natural Park

Nakano Momiji-yama/ about a 1-minute walk from
Nakano Jinja Mae bus stop via Konan Bus

Iwaki Kogen
Prefectural Natural Park

Iwakiyama Shrine/ Iwakiyama-jinja-mae bus stopvia Konan Bus

Tsugaru Shirakami
Prefectural Natural Park

Anmon Falls/ about 30 minutes by taxi from
Nishimeya Village Hall (road closed in winter)* Transportation availability is subject to change.

01

The Milky Way at
the Kayano Highlands

02

Shining autumn

03

Captivating fresh greenery

Akira Tsutsumi

04

Hakkoda in early spring

Takashi Nakayama07Nippon daisies by the water08

Torch azaleas bloomingon the Obiraki Plain

Akira Tsutsumi

Kazuko Kudo

Ryuichi Kitayama

Ryuichi Kitayama

09Dramatic flight of gulls

10Blessings

12

View from the Shiriyazaki Lighthouse

1718

19

21

Ryuichi Kitayama

Ryo Nakata

After the moonlit night ...

Wakitsubo Pond

Panoramic view of Asamushi

Akira Tsutsumi

23

The Asian fawnliliesof the Natsudomari Peninsula

Akira Tsutsumi

31

Transient dance in the hills

32

A scene to conserve –the Tsugaru Railway& cherry blossoms

35

Fudo Bridge in burning colors

36

Fudo Falls42

Akaishi Mountain Stream

Akira Tsutsumi
Shigeo Kudo

Takuto Sato
Yumiko Hatayama

Takashi Nakayama

In the sun shining through the trees

Shining wings

22

Akira Tsutsumi

Kazuko Kudo

Takuto Sato
Kazuko Kudo

Tsutomu Soma