Tashirotai

Highland plateau in the foothills of the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage beech forest zone in Aomori, with open wetland areas and trails through mixed deciduous woodland. Wildflowers spread across the boggy sections in late spring and early summer, and the beech forest turns yellow and gold in October. The trails are moderate in difficulty and well-marked, passing through forest and open upland in alternation. The area is lightly visited compared to the main Shirakami access points, and the birdlife in the woodland margins is active through the warmer months. Access requires a car, and the nearest town with full services is Hirosaki, about an hour's drive to the south.