Don't Miss
- Majestic mountain landscapes and delicate alpine plants
- Experiencing Ainu culture and folklore
- Encountering wildlife from the bountiful sea
- Views of the Hidaka Mountains wherever you look
Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park, centered on the Hidaka Mountains which stretch 140 km from north to south, is located in the south-central part of Hokkaido. It is the largest national park in the land area in Japan. The park is home to the highest peak in the Hidaka Mountains, Mount Poroshiri (2,052 m), and a series of mountains over 1,900 m above sea level, where Japan’s most pristine natural environment remains. The coastal area also has distinctive features such as marine terraces, sea cliffs, and reefs. Cape Erimo, is an example of such feature. Moreover, from the vast Tokachi Plain, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of majestic mountain scenery.
Park Overview
The Hidaka Mountains were formed by the collision of continental plates during the Neogene period and stretch approximately 140 kilometers north to south. During the collision, the crust of the eastern plate was pushed up, exposing geological cross-sections that were originally deep underground. Such locations are rare globally. Unweathered peridotite rocks can be found around Mount Apoi, revealing crucial information about deep layers of the Earth.
The ridges of the Hidaka Mountains exhibit glacial landforms such as cirques, horns, and arêtes, resulting in rugged mountain landscapes. At the foot of the mountains are extensive alluvial terraces and fan-shaped deposits, and to the east of the range, open terraces and fans continue into the Tokachi Plain, one of the largest plains in Japan.
Visitor Centers
- Hidaka Range Mountain Center
- Mount Apoi Geopark Visitor Center
- Cape Erimo “Kaze no Yakata”
Culture
The Ainu people have lived in the foothills of the Hidaka Mountains for centuries, significantly preceding the arrival of Japanese settlers in the Edo period (1603-1868). In particular, the Nibutani area, located in the middle reaches of the Saru River, is one of the most important centers of Ainu culture in Hokkaido. For the Ainu people, the Hidaka Mountains and Cape Erimo, including the sacred Mount Poroshiri, are important or precious places for prayer and worship. The Saru River, which originates from Mount Poroshiri, is the largest river in the region, connecting the Hidaka Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and brings many benefits to the Ainu people. Mount Apoi and the unique rock formations of Cape Enrumu in southern Hidaka have inspired folk tales and legends.
The significance of the lush Hidaka Mountains is celebrated in events like the Jukon (literally, tree spirit) Festival, in which people worship the souls said to reside in each tree of the area’s rich forests. In addition, kelp and sea urchin harvesting thrive due to the abundance of “Mitsuishikonbu” (Hidaka kelp), a local specialty. The sight of the fishermen at work is a summer tradition.