Shirakami-Sanchi

Konan Bus (弘南バス) runs 3-4 buses per day from spring to early autumn from Hirosaki railway station to Aqua Green Village (アクアグリーンビレッジ) near the rather impressive Anmon-no-taki waterfall in the unrestricted zone. The bus information desk, to the left of the bus stops in front of the railway station, has a pamphlet in English with bus schedules, rudimentary maps, etc. There may be a discount on return tickets available, but only if you buy ticket's beforehand, at the bus information desk. One-way is ¥1600, return tickets are ¥2400 (summer 2011). Access to protected buffer zone, around the World Heritage site, requires a permit from the Aomori office of the Tohoku Regional Forest Office (tel. 017-781-2117, ), and the bureaucracy pretty much requires that you can handle Japanese or get someone to do it for you. However, the park's most popular attractions, including the Anmon-no-Taki Falls, do not require permits. And there is also a good trail along the border to the restricted zone...