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Mount Haku Facts & Worksheets

Japan's Mount Haku, or Mount Hakusan, frequently referred to simply as Hakusan, is a dormant stratovolcano. It is a prominent landmark clearly visible from the nearby coast.

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Japan’s Mount Haku, or Mount Hakusan, frequently referred to simply as Hakusan, is a dormant stratovolcano. Situated on the island of  Honshu, between the cities of Gifu and Ishikawa, it is a prominent landmark clearly visible from the nearby coast.

See the fact file below for more information on Mount Haku, or you can download our 27-page Mount Haku worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY AND LOCATION

  • Mount Haku, also known as White Mountain, borders the prefectures of Gifu, Ishikawa, and Fukui. The volcano measures 8,865 feet, and its most recent eruption occurred in 1659. 
  • Because the mountain range is generally blanketed with snow for half the year, its snowy peak makes it stand out from the neighboring mountains. 
  • Located in the biosphere reserve’s middle, Mount Hakusan is a volcano that rises 2,702 meters above sea level. It is the highest point in the westernmost mountain range with an alpine zone.
  • About 15,000 people call Mount Hakusan home, and the majority reside in mountain communities in transition areas. Since ancient times, there have been Japanese residents.

GEOLOGICAL FEATURE

  • Mount Haku is an andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano that rises over the Japan Sea. It formed on a thick basement of sedimentary rocks in an area with heavy snowfall and erosional dissection. 
  • Most eruptions during the Holocene have been phreatomagmatic explosions from several peak craters.
  • The area around Mount Haki is one of the rare locations in Japan where outcroppings from the Mesozoic Jurassic period exist. 
  • The region contains many of the classic dinosaur fossil examples found in Japan, which includes the “Kuwashima Fossil Wall” and is considered a significant rock outcrop.
  • Most of the mountain consists of lava rock, geological strata from prehistoric eras like the Nohi Rhyolite, and sedimentary rocks from the Tedori Group. The Hakusan volcano comprises all of these and is coated in volcanic ejecta.
  • Numerous fossils, including those of dinosaurs as well as animals, fish, and plants, have been found in these layers. 
  • As one of the few places in Japan where dinosaur fossils might be recovered, the region is particularly significant from a scientific standpoint.

FLORA AND FAUNA

  • A variety of plant life can be found on Mount Haku. Alpine plants are found along the Sabo Trail after passing the Jinnosuke Lodge, including the chocolate lily, a prefectural plant of Ishikawa. The Golden Eagle, Ishikawa’s official bird, inhabits the slopes of Mount Haku.
  • Hakusan also became a common name for several alpine plants. Among them are Rhododendron brachycarpum (Hakusan Shakunage), Dactylorhiza (Hakusan Chidori), Anemone narcissiflora (Hakusan Ichige), Primula cuneifolia (Hakusan Kozakura), and Geranium yesoemse (Hakusan Fuuro). 
  • Although there are several mountains in Japan where these plants are found, they were initially discovered and given names along an ancient hiking trail that led to Hakusan Shrine.
  • Around the Tedori River, coniferous forests contain primarily Japanese cedar, firs, and pine trees surrounding the mountain’s base. There are also deciduous forests and woodlands. The distinctive “Altherbosa,” community with tall herbaceous plants, especially in denuded forest regions) find refuge on the steep, alpine slopes that are not wooded and on “snow slip” lands.
  • Japanese horse chestnuts (Aesculus turbinata), Mizunara (Quercus crispula), and other Maple (Aceraceae) species are also present in the large, broad-leaved woodlands of Mount Hakusan that primarily include Japanese beech. 
  • These forests are home to uncommon large raptors like the golden eagle and mountain hawk-eagle in huge quantities, even on a national scale, as well as large mammal species like the Asian black bear, Japanese serow, and Japanese monkey.

TOURISM

  • Mount Haku, sometimes referred to as the White Mountain because it is snow-covered for more than half the year, is a popular location for skiing and snowboarding. 
  • In 1955, Mount Haku was designated as a kind of national park.
  • In 1962, it changed its name to Hakusan National Park and officially became a national park. There are very few roads and little human incursion in the area because the mountain’s center includes a lot of precipitous terrain. 
  • The park’s designation as a Wildlife Protection Area, which extends over 38,061 acres, further restricts human interference. Beyond the limits of the mountain, the park extends into Toyama Prefecture.
  • There are limited hiking trails available due to the mountain’s harsh topography, and the climb to the peak takes a while. Nevertheless, a stunning hike because of the abundant vegetation and fauna, owing to little human intrusion.
  • On the other hand, since the introduction of Shugendo Buddhism, mountain climbing has been a part of the region’s cultural and religious heritage, but nowadays, trips for religious reasons are less frequent. 
  • The mountain now serves as a destination for mountaineering and hiking, attracting outdoor tourism. Although the number of mountaineers visiting the area per year has increased, it is still only about 50,000 on average.

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE

  • According to stories, Taicho, a Buddhist monk, was the first person to successfully climb the mountain in 717. In the Shugend (Way of Shugen), a syncretic religion that incorporates elements of Buddhism, Shintoism, and folk religion, Taicho became a significant character.
  • Since then, 50,000 people climb the mountain annually to pray and visit sacred sites, especially Shirayama Hime Shrine. 
  • In addition, communities of monks and people who produce and distribute medicinal herbs and amulets, as well as provide lodging for pilgrims grew around shrines and temples associated with Mount Hakusan worship at the beginning of the three zenjodo trails, referred to as hiking routes for religious purposes, which leads to the mountain’s summit.
  • At the end of each trail in Mount Haku, an increasing number of holy sites were discovered over time.
  • Traditional ceremonies to honor the Gods or to request a fair harvest are still frequently held at the shrines. People from all over the country revere the shrine at the summit of Hakusan, which is regarded as the principal shrine for Hakusan worship and religious mountaineering. The Hakusan faith has a total of 2,700 shrines situated all over Japan. 
  • Additionally, the spiritual forces of Mount Haku and its rivers are thought to add vitality to the foothills of the region. 
  • The residents’ agriculture depends on the water Hakusan supplies from the rivers Kuzuryu, Tedori, and Nagara. Mount Haku is also a well-known landmark used by seafarers and travelers to find their way home.

Mount Haku Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Mount Haku across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Mount Haku. Japan’s Mount Haku, or Mount Hakusan, frequently referred to simply as Hakusan, is a dormant stratovolcano.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Mount Haku Facts
  2. Mount Haku Data
  3. Haiku on Haku
  4. Taicho
  5. Three Holy Mountains
  6. Our Sacred Mountain
  7. Mount Haku Sights
  8. A Good Tourist
  9. Basic Japanese
  10. Haku Hiking
  11. The Horai Festival

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mount Haku located?

Mount Haku, also known as Mount Hakusan, is located in central Japan, spanning parts of Ishikawa, Gifu, and Fukui prefectures.

How tall is Mount Haku?

Mount Haku has an elevation of 2,702 meters (8,865 feet), making it one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains along with Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama.

Is Mount Haku an active volcano?

Mount Haku has an elevation of 2,702 meters (8,865 feet), making it one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains along with Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama.

Is Mount Haku popular for hiking and climbing?

Yes, Mount Haku is a popular destination for hikers and climbers. It offers a variety of trails and routes catering to different skill levels, allowing visitors to enjoy its beautiful landscapes and panoramic views.

Is there any religious significance associated with Mount Haku?

Yes, Mount Haku holds significant religious and cultural importance in Japan. It is considered one of the Three Holy Mountains of Japan and is associated with various religious practices, including Shinto and Buddhism. The mountain is believed to be a sacred dwelling place for deities and attracts pilgrims seeking spiritual experiences.

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Link will appear as Mount Haku Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, July 19, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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