Shirakami-Sanchi, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993 under the Natural Properties section, is a vast, nearly undisturbed mountainous area situated in the northern part of Honshu (between Akita and Aomori prefectures). Home to the largest virgin beech forest in the world, layers of sedimentary rock cover almost the entire area, indicating that the area was once under water. It is said that the submerged ground began to surface around 8 million years ago, and that the beech forest was formed 8 to 9 thousand years ago.

The beech forest, which retains ample water and serves as a natural dam, is habitat to a wide range of animals, including Asiatic black bears, Japanese serows, Japanese macaques, and shrews, which is the smallest mammal on earth.

There were once plans to construct a road through Shirakami-Sanchi. However, the plans were abolished after local residents strongly objected and fought hard to protect the natural heritage site.

There are currently three Japanese sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Natural Properties section. Through further movements in the protection of nature, it is hoped that other sites here are added to the list, as with Shirakami-Sanchi.