Shirakami-Sanchi
Country
Japan
Inscribed in
1993
Criterion
(ix)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
Situated in the mountains of northern Honshu, this trackless site includes the last virgin remains of the cool-temperate forest of Siebold's beech trees that once covered the hills and mountain slopes of northern Japan. The black bear, the serow and 87 species of birds can be found in this forest. © UNESCO
Summary
2025 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
11 oct 2025
Good
Current state and trend of VALUES
Low Concern
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Description of values
Remnant old growth temperate forests in an undisturbed wild state
Criterion
(ix)
The World Heritage site comprises a trackless and undisturbed area of predominantly old-growth temperate forest, the largest matured beech forest in East Asia. Shirakami-Sanchi is dominated by beech accompanied by diverse vegetation that survived the last ice age by shifting its distribution towards the south, resulting in a less disturbed, pristine climax wilderness forest. The property comprises a maze of steep sided hills and summits. The less-disturbed wilderness condition of the area is wild and rare in eastern Asia with few other protected areas in Japan containing a large unmodified beech forest like that found in the property. The extent of its pristine forest which has not suffered development impacts sets the site apart in densely populated, long-inhabited Japan and across Asia (World Heritage Committee, 2013).
The last relic of cool-temperate beech forests of Northern Japan with associated species
Criterion
(ix)
The World Heritage site is the last and best relict of the once more extensive cool-temperate beech forests that covered the hills and mountain slopes of northern Japan 8-10,000 years ago. Reflecting the distinct heavy-snow environment of the inland areas along the Sea of Japan, a rare climatic condition in the world, Shirakami-Sanchi has forests of mono-dominant Siebold’s Beech (Fagus crenata), a species endemic to Japan. The forest also sustains intact ecosystems for characteristic species such as black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus), Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicas), Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) and dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) (World Heritage Committee, 2013). The
forest ecosystem reflects the history of global climate changes and the heavy-snow environment, and is an outstanding example of ongoing processes in the development and succession of communities of plants together with the animal groups that depend on them. The property is thus very important for studies on terrestrial cool-temperate ecology, particularly on Eurasian beech forest ecosystem processes, and for long-term monitoring of the climate and vegetation changes (World Heritage Committee, 2013).
forest ecosystem reflects the history of global climate changes and the heavy-snow environment, and is an outstanding example of ongoing processes in the development and succession of communities of plants together with the animal groups that depend on them. The property is thus very important for studies on terrestrial cool-temperate ecology, particularly on Eurasian beech forest ecosystem processes, and for long-term monitoring of the climate and vegetation changes (World Heritage Committee, 2013).
Scenic forested mountain landscape
Walking tracks provide opportunities for viewing extensive forested mountains in wilderness condition. The scenic attributes of dense intact forest are enhanced in winter with a usually very abundant snow cover on the main mountain range. Several impressive waterfalls add to the scenic beauty of the World Heritage site.
Assessment information
The evidence indicates that the World Heritage property remains largely free of the impacts of threatening processes. Climate change is the most serious potential threat as it may affect patterns of snow fall, resulting in ecological change. There is also the threat of Japanese native sika deer proliferating within the World Heritage site and impacting on flora. The future integrity of the site could be threatened by intensified logging in forests that are adjacent to the property. A thorough canvassing of potential impacts, monitoring and potential mitigation measures is necessary.
Logging, Harvesting & Controlling Trees
(Forest logging operations in adjacent forests)
Outside site
There have been reports of forestry operations in adjacent forests having a visual impact on the general landscape within which the general Shirakami-Sanchi property is situated (Law, 2011). Concerns about logging in adjacent forests in the mid-1990s were raised through state of conservation reporting; however, management responses appear to have addressed this threat (World Heritage Committee, 1997). The World Heritage site has been designated a Forest Ecosystem Reserve with logging restricted throughout the entire site (MoE, 2013). The periodic reporting for the property identified no issues, though this does not appear to have been a thorough analysis (UNESCO, 2012). A tourism website about Shirakami refers to sustained-yield harvesting and other forestry practices (Akita Shirakami Tourism, 2024) but this refers to conditions outside the property, although it does not clearly refer to the specific location (IUCN Consultation, 2025).
Recreational Activities
(Tourism)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
According to the Ministry of Environment's automatic counters on the number of visitors to the World Heritage site and its surrounding area, visitor numbers increased after the site's inscription on the World Heritage list. In 2004/2005 visitor numbers were at over 80,000 but numbers reportedly decreased gradually thereafter to around 20,000 to 40,000 (IUCN Consultation, 2024). A report in 2011 found that tourism was well managed (Law, 2011). Visitation figures have been published online (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2024) and appear stable. The current management plan aims to promote ecotourism opportunities in the region (MoE, 2013). The Ministry of the Environment has been monitoring the effects of tourism on biodiversity in the property (Mason, 2015; Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022; Regional Liaison Committee, 2017) but reports to the Scientific Committee do not describe levels of visitation as a threat (IUCN Consultation, 2020). It is very unlikely that the controlled tourism and visitation experienced by the property is a threat, but a state-of-conservation report addressing this and other issues would be welcome.
Changes in Temperature Regimes, Changes in Precipitation & Hydrological Regime
(Impacts of climate change on forest ecology)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
The 2013 management plan stated: 'In particular, global warming is likely to have a major impact on the entire beech forest ecosystem in the Shirakami Mountains, and it is predicted that the area suitable for beech forest growth will decrease in the future' and gave a commitment to better monitor such impacts (MoE, 2013).The very high rainfall and snowfall that give rise to the ecosystems of Shirakami-Sanchi are driven by the warm current along the west coast of this section of Honshu. Any change in the characteristics of the current could pose threats to the ecology of the World Heritage property. Some models forecast that beech distribution will shift to higher elevations (Yoshida quoted in Law, 2011). Concerns about the impact of climate change on the dynamics of beech forests have been expressed in the scientific literature (Matsui et al., 2018; Teramoto et al., 2018; Matsui et al., 2007). Climate change has also been put forward as a possible explanation for the recent decline in the population of black woodpeckers, not only within the World Heritage site (where this species has not been observed in recent years) but more widely on Honshu (IUCN Consultation, 2020).
The objectives of the Monitoring Plan include the identification of the impacts of climate change, and the plan sets monitoring items such as the phenology of beech forests (ohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). Although no impact on vegetation in the heritage area has been observed, there have been some previously unobserved phenomena, such as heavy rainfall in August 2022 and heavy snowfall in January and February 2025, which raise the concern that climate change may be affecting the area. Site managers are planning to analyze the relationship between climate change and changes in flora and fauna (IUCN Consultation, 2025).
The objectives of the Monitoring Plan include the identification of the impacts of climate change, and the plan sets monitoring items such as the phenology of beech forests (ohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). Although no impact on vegetation in the heritage area has been observed, there have been some previously unobserved phenomena, such as heavy rainfall in August 2022 and heavy snowfall in January and February 2025, which raise the concern that climate change may be affecting the area. Site managers are planning to analyze the relationship between climate change and changes in flora and fauna (IUCN Consultation, 2025).
Problematic Native Species
(Impacts of deer on flora)
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
Outside site
Sika deer (Cervus nippon) is native to Japan but has become an overabundant species in many areas due to, among other factors, the disappearance of natural predators such as wolves. If the species were to proliferate inside the Shirakami-Sanchi property, beech seedlings and other key species of flora could be negatively impacted, with flow-on effects to the ecosystem as a whole. There has been an expansion of the distribution of sika deer in areas adjacent to the World Heritage site. Camera traps have recorded only low occurrences of deer in recent years and therefore the Ministry of the Environment and the Forest Agency consider this threat to be low within the property, with monitoring ongoing (IUCN Consultation, 2020; Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). Passive acoustic monitoring, designed for sika deer as an alternative monitoring technique with a high detectability of target animals (Enari et al. 2019, Enari and Enari 2020), have recently been practiced by the Ministry of the Environment and have yielded reliable evidence that could foresee the early increase phase of deer population around the heritage site especially in the western coastal regions. There are several means by which data is being scientifically gathered within the property regarding this threat, as well as anecdotal observations that deer numbers within the property could be on the rise (Regional Liaison Committee, 2017; Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). There are concerns for possible colonisation of deer in the coastal areas outside the site (IUCN Consultation, 2020) which would fit with media reports indicating that the Aomori and Akita prefectural governments are preparing to cull deer from the region in an effort to stop the population surging and impacting on the World Heritage site (News on Japan, 2017). Data and analyses arising from the property's updated monitoring plan (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022) are published online in japanese.
Renewable Energy
(Wind turbines and associated developments)
Outside site
In terms of the landscape, there is an impact from the large wind power generators located in the surrounding area, which affect the overall scenery. In recent years, the development of wind power has been progressing in the Shirakami Mountains area. Although there are no plans to build anything in the heritage area, there is a possibility that more will be built in the surrounding area in the future, which may result in negative impacts on birds from bird strikes, as well as the landscape overall (IUCN Consultation, 2025). Large-scale wind power generation facilities are being constructed along the coast of Ajigasawa and Fukaura towns, which have heritage areas. There are also existing wind power generation facilities in Happo Town and Noshiro City, which are adjacent to the heritage area, and an offshore wind farm is being constructed along the coast of Noshiro City. All of these power generation facilities are located more than 10 km away from the heritage area. Therefore, the impact on the natural environment and landscape in the heritage area is considered to be low.
Involvement of stakeholders and rightsholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, in decision-making processes
Reports indicate an effective relationship with local people existed at the time of nomination and inscription of the World Heritage site. Subsequent reports have described dissatisfaction by some local people with the benefits of the property's World Heritage status (IUCN, 1993; Law, 2011; IUCN Consultation, 2013). The Matagi people traditionally used Shirakami-Sanchi for hunting and gathering forest products (e.g., mountain vegetables) in order to supplement their main livelihoods. Some of these uses remain (Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2023) but hunting has been prohibited since 2004 when the heritage site has been designated as a National Wildlife Protection Area. The Matagi participated in developing the original management plan for the property but over succeeding decades have been reported as having access to the area's resources significantly restricted (Mason, 2015). Following inscription as a World Heritage site the Forestry Agency abruptly implemented and enforced a policy of no access to the core beech forest area which led to confusion among local people and caused serious arguments over the legitimacy of the decision (Hara and Iwamoto, 2014). Research in 2015 concluded that Shirakami-Sanchi was a successful case of ecological preservation and an expanded governmental commitment to citizen engagement in protected-area planning, but that this had been accompanied by a marginalization of the small number of remaining traditional users of the forest’s resources (Mason, 2015). Some of the locals who helped secure protection of the site back in the 1980s believe the main problem is the role in management by the Forestry Ministry due what they described as a large debt (Law, 2011).
Legal framework
The legal framework was adequate at the time of inscription (IUCN, 1993) and there is no evidence of adverse change to this situation. The Nature Conservation Law provides for administrative oversight by the Ministry of the Environment, which manages nature-conservation areas and national parks. In the case of Shirakami-Sanchi, strong legal protection is also provided by the designation of Forest Ecosystem Reserve, with management and protection led by the Forestry Agency. Forest Ecosystem Reserves have their legal foundation in the Act on the Administration and Management of National Forest (1951) and National Forest Administration and Management Bylaw (1999). The Preservation Zones of Forest Ecosystem Reserves are strictly protected, equivalent to IUCN protected area management category Ib. Of the 10,139 ha in the core area of the property, 9,844 ha has been designated as a 'Special Zone of the Nature Conservation Area' in which permission from the Minister of the Environment is required for activities such as construction of new structures, changes in the characteristics of the land, collection of soil and stones, and felling of trees and bamboo; the same area has been designated as a 'Wild Animal and Plant Protection Zone ', which prohibits the collection and damage of 108 species of protected plants (MoE, 2013).
Governance arrangements
Governance arrangements are complicated by the involvement of numerous government agencies in management of the property. These include the Ministry of the Environment, the Forestry Agency, the Agency for Cultural Affairs and several prefectural and municipal authorities. Different management tasks pertaining to different parts of the property are allocated to particular agencies (MoE, 2013). A liaison council and scientific committee help coordinate management by the above bodies (MoE, 2013).
Integration into local, regional and national planning systems (including sea/landscape connectivity)
The entire heritage area is a national forest under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Agency, and it includes various protected areas designated by the Ministry of the Environment, the Forestry Agency, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Aomori Prefecture, and Akita Prefecture. The site’s management plan outlines cooperation between these managers and other local municipalities (Ajigasawa-machi, Fukaura-machi and Nishimeya-mura in Aomori Prefecture, and Noshiro City, Fujisato-machi and Happo-cho in Akita Prefecture) (MoE, 2013; MAFF, 2013). A Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Area Liaison Committee has been established as a forum for liaison and cooperation (MoE, 2013). The 2013 management plan notes a range of measures by the surrounding municipalities aimed at harmonised development and use; details are lacking (MoE, 2013).
Boundaries
Boundaries are acceptable but there are definite opportunities for improvement through extension of the World Heritage site to incorporate adjacent forests (Law, 2011; IUCN Consultation, 2013). The boundaries of the site were clarified in 2012 (World Heritage Committee, 2012). There is a buffer zone (MoE, 2013) included within the inscribed area. The relatively small size of the property could in time be a threat to its ecological integrity, especially for species such as bears and far-ranging birds such as golden eagle and black woodpecker, depending particularly upon the land use of surrounding forests (Law, 2011).
Overlapping international designations
There are no Overlapping international designations.
Implementation of World Heritage Committee decisions and recommendations
The one request of the Committee post-inscription, being an invitation to host a mission, was implemented (World Heritage Committee, 1997). The only other relevant decisions of the Committee were to adopt a retrospective Statement of OUV (2013) and a clarification of boundaries (2012). There have been no substantive requests or recommendations from the Committee regarding the management of Shirakami-Sanchi this century.
Climate action
Most of the formal reports to UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee pertaining to the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage property pre-date the status of climate change as an issue for sustained evaluation. The 2013 management plan says: 'In particular, global warming is likely to have a major impact on the entire beech forest ecosystem in the Shirakami Mountains, and it is predicted that the area suitable for beech forest growth will decrease in the future' (MoE, 2013). Climate change is also identified as an issue whose impacts require monitoring in the research plan for the property (Regional Liaison Committee, 2017). This has been recently updated (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022) and includes climate change and related issues but is expressed in generic terms and does not contain a clear statement of results. A clear report to the Committee on these issues would fill a significant gap in shared knowledge.
Management plan and overall management system
A complex array of agencies is responsible for management of the World Heritage site (Ministry of the Environment, the Forestry Agency, the Agency for Cultural Affairs and several prefectural and municipal authorities). Despite this complexity the system appears to work well. Shirakami-Sanchi is part of Japan's national forests, managed by the National Government (World Heritage Committee, 2013). The 2013 management plan is simple and lacking in operational detail, but is focused on strict protection of the site’s OUV with an emphasis on adaptive management (MoE, 2013). Details on how adaptive management has subsequently occurred are unavailable. In order to monitor whether the site’s OUV are maintained, a Monitoring Plan was established in 2012, updated in 2017 (Regional Liaison Committee, 2017) and updated again in 2022 (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). In addition, a scientific council reports on the results of the monitoring surveys and the status of conservation and management in order to obtain advice (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Given the escalating threat of climate change globally, an updated management plan with reporting of data and trends pertaining to this threatening process is desirable.
Law enforcement
The 2013 management plan states that patrols will be carried out by District officers of the Forestry Agency and relevant staff of municipal authorites in order to check for illegal activities (MoE, 2013) but reports arising from those patrols did not seem to be available. There are at least three rangers and two assistant rangers working for the management authority under the Ministry of the Environment. Both the Ministry of the Environment and the Forestry Agency conduct law-enforcement activities as well as monitoring (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Published reports arising from patrols and prosecutions (if any) would be helpful in assessing the efficacy of law enforcement.
Sustainable finance
In 2010, US $1.8 million were allocated by the central government for the management of the World Heritage site and additional funds came from other sources, such as a surcharge on use of boardwalks (Law 2011). A decade ago, finance appeared limited but adequate (IUCN Consultation, 2013). There is nothing to suggest the situation has altered significantly but further information is required to assess this issue. The fact that the Shirakami-Sanchi are not designated as a national park and therefore have few financial resources has been pointed out in the national newspapers of Japan (e.g. Yomiuri Shimbun, 2023).
Staff capacity, training and development
Training and development of staff and volunteers occur through a number of programs, including a scientific monitoring program within the park (IUCN Consultation, 2013; Law, 2011). However, more recent information on the matter is not available.
Education and interpretation programmes
In 2011, offsite education and interpretation were reported as excellent (Law, 2011). Well-appointed visitors centres had been constructed close to the World Heritage property. Local governments promoted forest products and other goods labelled 'Shirakami'; a local train line was named 'Shirakami', and there was a Shirakami special-issue coin. The wider Shirakami region is being promoted throughout Japan to increase public recognition (Rothmar, 2015), however, relatively little is done to promote the role of the Matagi (Mason, 2015). Some of the Matagi groups have worked as eco-tour guides, transferring their traditional knowledge as Matagi hunters to eco-friendly activities (IUCN Consultation, 2017); various government websites promote their relationship to the property (Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2023). Some specific education and awareness-building priorities are identified in the 2013 management plan (MoE, 2013).
Tourism and visitation management
The number of visitors to the current heritage area and its surroundings is estimated to be around 20,000 to 40,000 per year (IUCN Consultation, 2024). On-site tourism is limited both by very effective controls and by the limited opportunities to enter this largely trackless World Heritage property (Law, 2011; IUCN Consultations, 2013 and 2020). Tourism access is restricted to the warmer months when the heavy snow cover abates. The core areas of the site remain well protected with all tourism activity taking place in the buffer zone (Mason, 2015). The possible introduction of a standardised certification system for tour guides in the region may improve the overall quality of Eco tour guides (Hara and Iwamoto, 2014). The 2013 management plan aims to promote 'the use of the area based on a hands-on program in the buffer area (Area B) and the area around the heritage area so that visitors can further deepen their understanding of the natural environment of the Shirakami Mountains and the importance of its protection' (MoE, 2013). Popular sites such as Anmon Falls are well managed through regulation, excellent infrastructure and the provision of a management surcharge on visitors (Law, 2011). Potential impacts of visitation are monitored in the updated research/monitoring plan (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022).
Sustainable use
Use of the World Heritage site appears to be sustainable. According to the management plan some traditional uses continue in the site but are highly regulated, with formal permission required for most activities other than visits to established walking tracks and lookouts (MoE, 2013). The desire for economic development surrounding and within the site has resulted in local officials promoting small-scale industries, such as the production of maitake mushrooms; attempting to lure residents to the surrounding area by offering housing subsidies; and supporting the development of tourism (Mason, 2015). Management of visitors to the site's most popular attraction, Anmon Falls, is highly effective (Law, 2011). Restrictions on access to the core part of the property and regulations that require permission for numerous activities help maintain its ecological integrity (MoE, 2013). The plan also states that facilities for visitation will be 'kept to the minimum necessary scale in order to maintain the value of the heritage site into the future' (MoE, 2013). Potential impacts of visitation are monitored in the updated research/monitoring plan (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022).
Monitoring
A detailed monitoring plan was published in 2012 and revised in 2017 (Regional Liaison Committee, 2017). The plan was also recently updated (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). These documents outline systematic monitoring activities with the results reported to the Scientific Committee annually (IUCN Consultation, 2020). A scientific program involving volunteers from scientific institutions such as universities is included under this monitoring plan, and the group gathers data under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment (Law, 2011). Most of the monitoring carried out by citizen groups and researchers outside of government agencies is done on a voluntary basis. There is no official system in place to support or recognize these monitoring activities in Shirakami-Sanchi. However, in the Shirakami-Sanchi, data from this kind of monitoring is important. In order to carry out sustainable monitoring, the government needs to actively support these citizen groups and researchers. The Scientific Committee makes recommendations based on the annual monitoring results (IUCN Consultation, 2020). More readily available published results from the monitoring would contribute to shared knowledge and help in making assessments of the conservation outlook for the property.
Research
The Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Area Scientific Council, comprising experienced scientists, was set up in 2010 with the objective of promoting adaptive management of the World Heritage site and ensuring that management decisions are made within the context of the latest scientific knowledge available (World Heritage Committee, 2013). A volunteer/scientific program run by universities, other research institutions and the Ministry of Environment is active within the park (Law, 2011). The Hirosaki University, located close to the site is undertaking extensive research on Shirakami. A monitoring plan outlines a number of data-collection programs (Regional Liaison Committee, 2017) and was recently updated (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022).
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats outside the site
The one case of a perceived threat from outside the World Heritage site - clear felling in adjacent forest - appears to have been resolved. Although some of the adjacent lands remain under the ownership of the Forestry Agency, this is the case for all National Forests (including Forest Ecosystem Reserves) in Japan, and does not imply that these forests are intended for production purposes. There remain no serious internal threats to the integrity of the site but there are clear opportunities to improve the long-term ecological integrity, especially ecological integrity for larger animals and black woodpecker, by extending the site into adjacent reserved lands.
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats inside the site
Management appears to be highly effective in maintaining ecological attributes and the wilderness condition of the property's remote interior (various references in Law, 2011; IUCN Consultations, 2017 and 2020; MoE, 2013; Regional Liaison Committee, 2017). However, there is a paucity of recently published evidence regarding the effectiveness of management. This should be addressed through the provision of a state-of-conservation report to the World Heritage Committee.
The management system for Shirakami-Sanchi involves numerous national, prefectural and local authorities with overlapping responsibilities whose work is coordinated by a liaison council and a scientific committee. The legal framework for management of the property is strong. The 2013 management plan comprehensively outlines goals and processes. Active law enforcement, monitoring and research occur. Overall, this regime has been very effective in maintaining the wilderness condition and OUV of the World Heritage site. An extension to the property could enhance the robustness of ecosystems that contain wide-ranging species and which will eventually (if not already) suffer the impacts of climate change. One area that seems to be lacking is the availability of translated reports arising from patrols, monitoring and research, particularly pertaining to the impacts of climate change.
Good practice examples
Apart from suggestions for improvement above, Shirakami-Sanchi could serve as an example of world's best practice when it comes to interpretation facilities and management of the impacts of visitors.
Remnant old growth temperate forests in an undisturbed wild state
Good
Trend
Stable
The Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage property comprises a sizable area of predominantly oldgrowth temperate forest, the largest remaining virgin beech forest in East Asia. All reports indicate that the undisturbed state of the forest had been maintained up to the previous assessment (Law, 2011; IUCN Consultations, 2013 and 2017). Despite the accelerating threat from climate change to almost all natural properties globally, there is nothing to indicate that Shirakami-Sanchi has suffered significant impacts since the 2020 assessment (IUCN Consultation, 2020). The continuation of management arrangements (2013 management plan, liaison council and scientific committee) is evidence of the State Party's commitment to maintaining this primeval stand of oldgrowth beech forest, with an updated monitoring/research plan recently published (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). Publication of reports arising from patrols and scientific monitoring would enhance our knowledge of the trajectory of the beech forest's state of conservation as the effects of climate change take hold. Although no impact on vegetation in the heritage area has been observed, phenomena that had not been seen before, such as heavy rainfall in August 2022 and heavy snowfall in January and February 2025, have been confirmed. This raises concerns that climate change may be affecting the area. Site managers are planning to analyze the relationship between climate change and changes in flora and faun (IUCN Consultation, 2025).
The last relic of cool-temperate beech forests of Northern Japan with associated species
Low Concern
Trend
Stable
The broader values of the site's ecosystem remain intact (IUCN Consultations, 2017 and 2020) as confirmed by the monitoring reports (e.g. Tohoku Forest Management Bureau, 2021). The World Heritage site is the habitat of rare bird species, such as the black woodpecker (Mahoro, 2008a, b) and large mammals such as the Japanese serow and Japanese black bear, which require a diverse forest environment including oldgrowth forest. Protection of these species could be enhanced through judicious extensions of the site into adjacent conservation lands (Law, 2011). The plan for research and monitoring of the property is regularly updated (Tohoku Regional Environment Office, 2022). Potential threats posed by climate change (Matsui et al., 2018; Teramoto et al., 2018) and proliferation of problematic species (MoE, 2013) is being monitored with results published online on the Tohoku Regional Environment Office website.
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Stable
The ecological integrity of the beech forests and associated species and habitats of the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage property is being maintained. The property is relatively small (16,971 ha) and its viability could be enhanced through judicious extensions into adjacent forest lands. This would help secure the long-term future of larger mammals (bear and serow) and a threatened species of bird (black woodpecker). The current and future impacts on Shirakami-Sanchi of climate change (a globally ubiquitous threatening process) are difficult to assess. A thorough scientific monitoring program has been occurring for over a decade.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Low Concern
Stable
The wilderness condition of the World Heritage site has been well maintained and the trajectory appears stable. Broader biodiversity values appear to face no significant threats other than the globally ubiquitous one of climate change. A state-of-conservation report on Shirakami-Sanchi that considers all recently gathered data and resulting analysis would be very helpful in assessing the property's future trajectory. Some wind power plants are either under construction or have already been built, but they are located at least as far as 10 km away from the heritage area.
Additional information
Sacred natural sites or landscapes
The undisturbed, wild state of the World Heritage site is valued by locals and nationals and was the basis for initial protection of the area. This reverence is articulated on some trails by the tasteful placement of haiku.
"Invasive species" in this case refers to the potential for undesirable proliferation of sika deer.
Outdoor recreation and tourism
There is a sustainable level of tourism to the World Heritage site, largely restricted to walking of designated trails. Additional walking opportunities are available for those with more curiosity or spirit of adventure.
Contribution to education
The visitor centres provide an outstanding education service to visitors and, through websites and publications, to the wider community. Well-organised volunteer and research programs carried out by scientific institutions in partnership with management authorities enhance knowledge of the site's ecological attributes.
Climate change is a globally ubiquitous threatening process that has the potential to adversely affect attributes subject to study.
Soil stabilisation
Much of the World Heritage site is very steep and the forest cover provides a valuable soil stablisation service.
Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality)
The pristine forest conditions serve a valuable service in maintenance of water quality to adjacent communities.
Impacts of climate change, logging in adjacent forest lands, and proliferating browsing species could have negative impacts on catchments.
Wilderness and iconic features
The World Heritage site serves both the purposes of preserving a large tract of primeval forest as well as giving visitors the opportunity to follow a cascading stream to a spectacular set of waterfalls.
The site’s undisturbed and pristine state is valued by both local and national stakeholders. Traditional use of the World Heritage site by Matagi people has in the past been seen as a significant benefit and more could be done to enhance those benefits in a sustainable and culturally sensitive manner, perhaps by involving them in supervised control of problematic species such as deer. Ecological services in the form of soil stabilisation and water-catchment protection are provided by the site. Jobs are generated by tourism, interpretation and park management.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tohoku Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment, the Tohoku Regional Forest Office of the Forestry Agency, Aomori Prefecture, Akita Prefecture and the municipalities concerned. | The project promotes monitoring of the natural heritage in cooperation with universities, research institutes and other academic experts. This monitoring plan is designed to promote adaptive conservation management* based on scientific findings, and to ensure that the ecosystem and value of the beech forest on the Property is passed on to future generation. It aims to define monitoring objectives, monitoring items and evaluation criteria for the monitoring survey to be implemented by the Relevant Administrative Bodies over the next ten year period, as well as to clarify the contents, implementation, evaluation of results and other matters concerning the monitoring. |
https://tohoku.env.go.jp/to_2022/topics_00007.html
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References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Akita Shirakami Tourism (2024). Visit Shirakami – tread new ground. https://visitshirakami.com/about/coexist/ Viewed 4 November 2024
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| 2 |
Enari, H., & Enari, H. S. (2020). Efficacy of voice traps to establish lag-phase management of the sika deer population. Mammalian Science, 60(1), 75-84.
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| 3 |
Enari, H., Enari, H. S., Okuda, K., Maruyama, T., & Okuda, K. N. (2019). An evaluation of the efficiency of passive acoustic monitoring in detecting deer and primates in comparison with camera traps. Ecological Indicators, 98, 753-762.
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| 4 |
Forestry Agency (2009). State of Japan’s Forests and Forest Management, Contribution to Montreal Process.
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| 5 |
Hara, T. and Iwamoto, H. (2014). Tourism Policy Analysis on an Eco-tour Guide Certification System at a UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Shirakami Mountain Range in Japan. Journal of Tourism Economics, Policy and Hospitality Management: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 1. http://tourismresearch.econo.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/jtephm/vol2/…. Accessed 05 June 2017
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| 6 |
IUCN (1993). World Heritage Nomination – IUCN Technical Evaluation, Shirakami-Sanchi (Japan). In: IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 1993. [online] Gland, Switzerland: IUCN, pp.11-16. Available at: <https://whc.unesco.org/document/153979>; [Accessed November 2020].
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| 7 |
IUCN Consultation (2013). IUCN Stakeholder Consultation IUCN Gland, Switzerland.
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| 8 |
IUCN Consultation (2017). IUCN Stakeholder Consultation IUCN Gland, Switzerland.
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