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From neighboring Akita Prefecture, entering the town of Fukaura-cho, home of the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Fukaura is in southwestern Aomori Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan. Nice coastal scenery on Route 101.
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On Route 101 to see the Juniko Lakes (Twelve Lakes) amid the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains (白神山地).
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Turn right here for the Juniko Lakes.
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Although "Juniko" means "Twelve Lakes," there are actually over 30 lakes/ponds in the area. They were created when Mt. Kuzureyama collapsed in 1704 due to an earthquake and dammed nearby rivers which formed the ponds/lakes.
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About the Shirakami Sanchi World Heritage Site. Famous for primeval beech forests left untouched by man.
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Walking trails along the Juniko Lakes. They are actually ponds (ike). Twelve of the ponds can be seen from the summit of Mt. Okuzure. Perhaps that's why it was named so.
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Ou-Ike Pond sign.
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Ou-Ike Pond as seen from our tour bus. 王池
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Passed by the Juniko Visitor Center (十二湖ビジターセンター) which has exhibits of the area's flora and fauna. We didn't stop here though.
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Mori-no-Bussan Kyororo (森の物産館キョロロ) is where we got off the tour bus. This is a local gift shop selling local produce and snacks. Restrooms and rest house too. We walked to the ponds from here.
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From Kyororo, a 500-meter walk to Ao-Ike Blue Pond.
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Along the way, we passed by the large Ketoba-no-Ike Pond (鶏頭場の池), one of the Twelve Juniko Lakes.
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Ketoba-no-Ike Pond (鶏頭場の池) was green. It's one of the largest Juniko Lakes with a surface area of 41,150 sq. meters.
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Birds in the forest.
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Way to Aoike Blue Pond.
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There's a narrow lookout deck along the Ao-Ike pond.
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Sign says "Ao Ike" (青池) or Blue Pond, one of the 12 Juniko Lakes.
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Ao Ike (青池) Blue Pond is perhaps the most famous of the twelve Juniko Lakes. Easily accessible.
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Ao Ike (青池) Blue Pond, one of the 12 Juniko Lakes
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Ao Ike is certainly a beautiful blue.
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After seeing Ao-Ike blue pond, you can either backtrack and go back to Kyororo Gift Shop or go further and walk through the Japanese beech forest (highly recommended).
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Experience forest bathing in this lush beech forest. Lots of ferns too.
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How Juniko Lakes were formed and named.
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Forest rules: Do not stray away from the trail. Take your trash home, etc.
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Walking trails and roads around Juniko Lakes.
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The flora around Juniko Lakes.
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Flowers at Juniko Lakes.
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Way to Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond 沸壺の池（沸壷の池), another blue pond.
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Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond 沸壺の池（沸壷の池）is another blue pond along the beech forest trail.
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The Music of Water...
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Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond 沸壺の池（沸壷の池).
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The beech forest trail eventually goes to the main road.
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Ochikuchi-no-Ike Pond (落口の池) along the main road.
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Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond's Kiyomizu (pure water). 沸壺池の清水
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Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond's Kiyomizu (pure water). 沸壺池の清水
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Kannon statue at Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond's Kiyomizu (pure water). 沸壺池の清水
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Turn right here to follow the road back to Kyororo. It's an uphill road.
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From the road going to/from Juniko Lakes, part of Nihon Canyon with white cliffs can be seen. It was formed by erosion and collapsed mountainsides. 日本キャニオン
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