Wanderlust - 04.2020

26 wanderlust.co.ukApril 2020 To ˆind out more about hiking in Aomori, please visit en-aomori.com

Shutterstock

A

omori in Japan

translates as ‘blue

forest’: apt for the

rugged volcanic

prefecture that

covers the top of mainland

Honshu, where almost 70%

of the land is forest and three

sides are surrounded by the

sea. Known for its diversity

of hiking trails, you can choose

from coastal paths and valley

walks to long mountain treks.

Here ‘s just three hikes to try...

MICHINOKU TRAIL

East Aomori

The Michinoku Trail hugs

Japan’s eastern shoreline for

an epic 900km, from Aomori

to Fukushima prefecture – the

longest hiking trail in Japan. You

don’t have to walk the whole

trail, but can easily enjoy short

stints like the 5km Tanesashi

Coastal Trail, which forms the

fi rst (or last) part of the trek.

Sometimes referred to as the

Hana no Nagisa (Flower beach),

this coast is home to over 650

species of native plants. It’s

also home to birds: visit from

April to July to see thousands

of black-tailed gulls swirling

through the sky. Don’t miss

Osuka Hama beach’s ‘singing

sand’, where the grains squeal

and squeak beneath your feet.

OIRASE TORRENT

South Aomori

The Oirase Gorge is one of the

most beautiful river valleys in

Japan. This 14km trail has been

carved by the silver Oirase

River, which pulses out of Lake

Towada to the small town of

Yakeyama. Walk by the river’s

edge to pass waterfalls and

woodland, which turns a vibrant

green in spring and a deep

orange in autumn. Follow the

trail from the lake for about 9km

to fi nd a small ‘rest hut’ called

Ishigedo, where you can feast

on ramen and the valley views.

SHIRAKAMI

MOUNTAINS

West Aomori

This vast mountain range,

covering the south-west corner

of Aomori, is among just four

natural UNESCO sites in Japan.

It’s home to one of the world’s

largest primeval beech forests,

as well as rare species like the

Japanese black bear and golden

eagle. There are many trails

here, but the route to Aoike lake

• one of 33 lakes in the region


• is arguably the best due to the
  inky-blue colour of its surface.
  What are you waiting for?
  Lace up those hiking boots and
  discover this walker’s paradise.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

HIKING HEAVEN

Three incredible day walks in Aomori prefecture

JAPAN’S

Walk on the wild side

(clockwise from this)

A waterfall in the

Oirase Gorge; the

beech forest in the

Shirakami mountains;

Towada Lake; the

Tanesashi coast