Mount Haku
Encyclopedia
, or Mount Hakusan, is a potentially active volcano. The stratovolcano
is located on the borders of Gifu
, Fukui
and Ishikawa
prefectures in Japan
. It is thought to have first been active 300,000 to 400,000 years ago, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1659. Along with Mount Tate
and Mount Fuji
, it is one of Japan's .
and Mount Sannomine
are sometimes included and called "Mount Haku's Five Peaks."
Because it is the highest mountain in the Hokuriku region
, even after the surrounding mountains have lost their snow, Mount Haku still appears white, which is one explanation for the mountain's name, which means "white mountain." It is also the westernmost mountain in Japan that is over 2000 m (6,562 ft) in height.
was the first to climb Mount Haku in 717
. For hundreds of years, people have come to Haku for prayers (白山信仰 Hakusan Shinkō). A branch shrine of Shirayama Hime Shrine
, which served as the supreme shrine
for Kaga Province
, is on the mountain. The Shirayama Hime Shrine is the of approximately 2,000 in Japan. In 1980 an area of 48,000 ha
was designated a UNESCO
Man and the Biosphere Reserve.
in 1962 and was renamed Hakusan National Park
. Because the central part of the mountain has much precipitous terrain, there are very few roads and, as a result, little human intrusion into the area. Also limiting human intrusion is the designation of the park as a Wildlife Protection Area, covering over 38,061 ha
. The park stretches beyond the mountain's borders into Toyama Prefecture
, also.
pings from the Jurassic
period of the Mesozoic
era. Many of Japan's typical examples of dinosaur
fossil
s were found in this area. One of the major rock outcrops is in the Kuwashima area and is known as the "Kuwashima Fossil Wall" (桑島化石壁 Kuwashima Kasekikabe).
Because the mountain is a dormant volcano, it is also well-known for its many onsen
.
s can be found, including the chocolate lily
, which is Ishikawa's prefectural plant.
There are many alpine plants which have Hakusan in their name. These plants include: Primula cuneifolia
(Hakusan Kozakura), Anemone narcissiflora
(Hakusan Ichige), Dactylorhiza
(Hakusan Chidori), Geranium yesoemse (Hakusan Fuuro) and Rhododendron brachycarpum
(Hakusan Shakunage). These plants can be found on many mountains throughout Japan, but they were first discovered and named along the older hiking trails leading to Hakusan Shrine.
, 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 once disappeared, however sightings of the grouse have recently been recorded by local residents.
, Ishikawa Prefecture, but the Hirase Trail starts from the Ōshirakawa Dam (大白川ダム) in Gifu Prefecture.
Because the area is protected as a national park, very few trails have been made on the mountain. Though the trails listed above are easy enough to hike up and down in one day, other trails can take two or three days because of the uncleared trails and rough terrain.
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
is located on the borders of Gifu
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
, Fukui
Fukui Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Fukui.- Prehistory :The Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, on the Sugiyama River within the city limits of Katsuyama, has yielded the Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis and Fukuisaurus tetoriensis as well as an unnamed...
and Ishikawa
Ishikawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is Kanazawa.- History :Ishikawa was formed from the merger of Kaga Province and the smaller Noto Province.- Geography :Ishikawa is on the Sea of Japan coast...
prefectures in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is thought to have first been active 300,000 to 400,000 years ago, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1659. Along with Mount Tate
Mount Tate
is located in the southeastern area of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the tallest peaks in the Hida Mountains at and, along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku, it is one of Japan's . The climbing season for Mount Tate is from April until November. It was first climbed by Saeki no Ariyori...
and Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
, it is one of Japan's .
Outline
The mountain's tallest peak, Gozengamine (御前峰), is the one that gives the mountain its height of 2702 m (8,865 ft). Along with Kengamine (剣ヶ峰), which is 2677 m (8,783 ft), and Ōnanjimine (大汝峰), which is 2648 m (8,688 ft), the three peaks are considered "Mount Haku's Three Peaks" (白山三峰 Hakusan Sanmine). Mount BessanMount Bessan
is located on the border of Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, and Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, and rises to a height of . There are two triangulation stations at the top of the mountain. Mount Haku can be seen from the north. Bessan Shrine is a short distance from the peak...
and Mount Sannomine
Mount Sannomine
is located on the border of Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, and Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, and rises to a height of .-History:Mount Haku has been climbed for religious purposes for centuries...
are sometimes included and called "Mount Haku's Five Peaks."
Because it is the highest mountain in the Hokuriku region
Hokuriku region
The is located in the northwestern part of Honshū, the main island of Japan. It lies along the Sea of Japan within the Chūbu region. It is almost equivalent to Koshi Province and Hokurikudō area in pre-modern Japan....
, even after the surrounding mountains have lost their snow, Mount Haku still appears white, which is one explanation for the mountain's name, which means "white mountain." It is also the westernmost mountain in Japan that is over 2000 m (6,562 ft) in height.
History and culture
TaichōTaichō
was a shugendō monk in Nara period Japan. He was raised in Echizen Province, which was in the southern portion of present day Fukui Prefecture. He was the second son of Mikami Yasuzumi...
was the first to climb Mount Haku in 717
717
Year 717 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 717 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* March 21 – The Battle of Vincy is...
. For hundreds of years, people have come to Haku for prayers (白山信仰 Hakusan Shinkō). A branch shrine of Shirayama Hime Shrine
Shirayama Hime Shrine
is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Though read differently, "Shirayama" and "Hakusan" use the same characters in Japanese.-References:...
, which served as the supreme shrine
Ichinomiya (disambiguation)
Ichinomiya is historically the supreme shrine in each of the old provinces of Japan, and currently the name of several places in Japan:*a city:**Ichinomiya, Aichi containing the shrine of the old province Owari...
for Kaga Province
Kaga Province
was an old province in the area that is today the southern part of Ishikawa Prefecture. It was sometimes called .Ruled by the Maeda clan, the capital of Kaga was Kanazawa. Kaga bordered on Echizen, Etchū, Hida, and Noto Provinces...
, is on the mountain. The Shirayama Hime Shrine is the of approximately 2,000 in Japan. In 1980 an area of 48,000 ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
was designated a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Man and the Biosphere Reserve.
Nature
Mount Haku was designated as a quasi-national park in 1955. It became a national parkNational park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in 1962 and was renamed Hakusan National Park
Hakusan National Park
is a national park in the Chūbu region, Honshū, Japan. The total area of the park is and its main geographical feature is Mount Haku.The park was originally designated "Hakusan Quasi-National Park" on July 1, 1955...
. Because the central part of the mountain has much precipitous terrain, there are very few roads and, as a result, little human intrusion into the area. Also limiting human intrusion is the designation of the park as a Wildlife Protection Area, covering over 38,061 ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
. The park stretches beyond the mountain's borders into Toyama Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Toyama.Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources....
, also.
Geological features
The area surrounding Mount Haku is one of the few areas in Japan that contains outcropOutcrop
An outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock or ancient superficial deposits on the surface of the Earth. -Features:Outcrops do not cover the majority of the Earth's land surface because in most places the bedrock or superficial deposits are covered by a mantle of soil and vegetation and cannot be...
pings from the Jurassic
Jurassic
The Jurassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about Mya to Mya, that is, from the end of the Triassic to the beginning of the Cretaceous. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic era, also known as the age of reptiles. The start of the period is marked by...
period of the Mesozoic
Mesozoic
The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...
era. Many of Japan's typical examples of dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s were found in this area. One of the major rock outcrops is in the Kuwashima area and is known as the "Kuwashima Fossil Wall" (桑島化石壁 Kuwashima Kasekikabe).
Because the mountain is a dormant volcano, it is also well-known for its many onsen
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
.
Plant life
Mount Haku is known for its diverse plant life. When hiking up the Sabō Trail, after passing the Jinnosuke Lodge, various types of alpine plantAlpine plant
Alpine plants are plants that grow in the alpine climate, which occurs at high elevation and above the tree line. Alpine plants grow together as a plant community in alpine tundra.-Alpine plant diversity:...
s can be found, including the chocolate lily
Fritillaria camschatcensis
Fritillaria camschatcensis is a species of fritillary native to northeastern Asia, including northern Japan, Kamchatka, and eastern Siberia, western North America from Alaska to Oregon...
, which is Ishikawa's prefectural plant.
There are many alpine plants which have Hakusan in their name. These plants include: Primula cuneifolia
Primula
Primula is a genus of 400–500 species of low-growing herbs in the family Primulaceae. They include primrose, auricula, cowslip and oxlip. Many species are grown for their ornamental flowers...
(Hakusan Kozakura), Anemone narcissiflora
Anemone narcissiflora
Anemone narcissiflora is a herbaceous perennial in the genus Anemone and the buttercup family.-Description:...
(Hakusan Ichige), Dactylorhiza
Dactylorhiza aristata
The Keyflower is a species of orchid....
(Hakusan Chidori), Geranium yesoemse (Hakusan Fuuro) and Rhododendron brachycarpum
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
(Hakusan Shakunage). These plants can be found on many mountains throughout Japan, but they were first discovered and named along the older hiking trails leading to Hakusan Shrine.
| Chocolate lily Fritillaria camschatcensis Fritillaria camschatcensis is a species of fritillary native to northeastern Asia, including northern Japan, Kamchatka, and eastern Siberia, western North America from Alaska to Oregon... (Kuro Yuri) | Primula cuneifolia Primula Primula is a genus of 400–500 species of low-growing herbs in the family Primulaceae. They include primrose, auricula, cowslip and oxlip. Many species are grown for their ornamental flowers... (Hakusan Kozakura) | Anemone narcissiflora Anemone narcissiflora Anemone narcissiflora is a herbaceous perennial in the genus Anemone and the buttercup family.-Description:... (Hakusan Ichige) | Dactylorhiza aristata Dactylorhiza Dactylorhiza , is a genus of terrestrial plants in the orchid family .... (Hakusan Chidori) |
|---|---|---|---|
Animals
The Golden EagleGolden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
, 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
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
, the entire population of Ptarmigan on the mountain once disappeared, however sightings of the grouse have recently been recorded by local residents.
Hiking trails
The three most used hiking trails are the Kankō Trail (観光新道 Kankō Shinmichi), the Sabō Trail (砂防新道 Sabō Shinmichi) and the Hirase Trail (平瀬道 Hirase-dō). Both the Kankō Trail and the Sabō trail originate in the city of HakusanHakusan, Ishikawa
is a city located in Ishikawa, Japan.The city was founded on February 1, 2005 from the merger of the city of Mattō with seven towns and villages from Ishikawa District. As of April 1, 2008 population data, the city has an estimated population of 110,654 and a density of 147 persons per km²...
, Ishikawa Prefecture, but the Hirase Trail starts from the Ōshirakawa Dam (大白川ダム) in Gifu Prefecture.
Because the area is protected as a national park, very few trails have been made on the mountain. Though the trails listed above are easy enough to hike up and down in one day, other trails can take two or three days because of the uncleared trails and rough terrain.
See also
- Hakusan National ParkHakusan National Parkis a national park in the Chūbu region, Honshū, Japan. The total area of the park is and its main geographical feature is Mount Haku.The park was originally designated "Hakusan Quasi-National Park" on July 1, 1955...
- Ryōhaku MountainsRyohaku MountainsThe are a mountain range spanning Gifu, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui and Shiga prefectures in Japan. It is divided into the Kaetsu Mountains , whose major peak is Mount Haku, and the Etsumi Mountains , whose major peak is Mount Nōgōhaku. The range derives its name from the two major peaks, which both...
- List of volcanoes in Japan
- TaichōTaichōwas a shugendō monk in Nara period Japan. He was raised in Echizen Province, which was in the southern portion of present day Fukui Prefecture. He was the second son of Mikami Yasuzumi...