Aoike in Shirakami Mountains (Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture)

[Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture] Aoike is a blue unexplored region that Japan boasts to the world! Explaining the charms and ways to enjoy sightseeing in Aoike!

Beautiful unexplored regions around the world are often colored blue. For example, the Blue Grotto on the Italian island of Capri and Chefchaouen, known as the Blue City in Morocco, are famous.

Aoike Pond in the Shirakami Mountains in Aomori Prefecture is famous as an unexplored blue region in Japan. This time, we will introduce the charm of sightseeing in Aoike.

Popular Aoike sightseeing!

The Shirakami Mountains, where Aoike is located, is a mountainous region that stretches from southwestern Aomori Prefecture to northwestern Akita Prefecture. This is known as the largest beech forest in the world. Its area is actually 130,000 hectares.

Aoike is located at the edge of the Sea of ​​Japan. We will enter the Shirakami Mountains along the Sea of ​​Japan.

As a base for sightseeing in Aoike, you can use the Mori no Bussankan Kyororo, which sells specialty products and serves light meals. From here we will depart for Aoike.

My first impression was that it was blue.

If you walk for about 10 minutes from Kyororo, you will arrive at Aoike. The first impression from people who have seen Aoike is that it is blue. Many people have a vague image of Aoike as ``Isn't it a bit blue?'', but when they actually go there, they are surprised to find that it is even bluer than they expected.

Aoike in the Shirakami Mountains

Especially depending on how the sun hits it, the green of the beech trees overhead is reflected in the blue pond, making it look like emerald green. This is said to be extremely beautiful.

The best time to see them is from April to August. Especially at this time of year, the sunlight angle is higher, making the sky look bluer and more beautiful. However, it has not been scientifically proven why it appears blue in the first place. June is the most beautiful month.

Deeper into Aoike

Once you've had your fill of Aoike, we recommend heading deeper into the area. In the back is a primeval beech forest. Since it is not artificial, each trunk has a different thickness.

As you continue on, overwhelmed by the beech trees that Japan is proud of, you will come across "Wakitsubo Pond."

Twelve Lakes (Fututsubo Pond)

This pond is known as Blue Pond after Aoike.

There is a rest area called Junikoan nearby. Matcha tea made with spring water from Utsutsubo Pond is served here for free.

Matcha is quite strong and bitter, and even adults may not like it, but the matcha here is less bitter and has a sweeter taste, so it is popular and can be enjoyed by children as well.

Don't forget Aoike Soft!

Aoike soft serve is a must-try when you're sightseeing in Aoike. It is sold at Juniko Station on the JR Gono Line. Aoike Soft Cream is a soft serve ice cream with a slight bluish color to symbolize the pond. The taste is based on yogurt, and you can feel the refreshing sweetness of Blue Hawaii.

INFORMATION

  • Name: “Aoike” in the Shirakami Mountains
  • Address: Matsugami, Fukaura-cho, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture, 038-2206

GOOGLE MAP

List of related articles