Mt. Hakusan

Hakusan National Park (白山国立公園 Hakusan Kokuritsu Kōen) is in Chubu of Japan, spanning Ishikawa, Gifu, Fukui and Toyama prefectures.

Understand

Mount Haku is on the borders of Ishikawa and Gifu prefectures in Central Japan, and forms the centerpiece of the Hakusan National Park. It is an active volcano standing 2702 meters tall. A popular hiking destination and one of the Three Famous Mountains of Japan, Hakusan's best seasons are late summer and fall when the mountain is at its most picturesque.

Flora and fauna

Mount Haku is known for its diverse plant life. There are various types of alpine plants in the vicinity, including the chocolate lily, which is Ishikawa's prefectural plant. The Golden Eagle, Ishikawa's prefectural bird, lives on the slopes of Mount Haku. The Rock Ptarmigan, Gifu's prefectural bird, used to live on the slopes as well; however, during the Meiji period, the entire population of Ptarmigan on the mountain disappeared (the bird is still abundant elsewhere in Japan). More information on the flora, fauna and history of Mount Haku can be found in the Mount Hakusan Nature Center.

Get in

Kanazawa is the nearest major city. A scenic drive into the park by the Mount Hakusan Super Forest road is possible in summer and autumn, but in winter and spring snowfall may be a problem and the road may be closed.

Sleep