Sarugamori Sand Dunes
{{Short description|Sand dunes in Aomori Prefecture, Japan}}
{{Infobox landform
| name = Sarugamori Sand Dunes
| other_name = 猿ヶ森砂丘
| type = Sand dunes
| photo = Sarugamori sakyu.jpg
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| photo_caption = Sarugamori Sand Dunes
| map = Japan Aomori Prefecture#Japan
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| map_caption = Location of Sarugamori Sand Dunes in Aomori Prefecture
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| location = Higashidōri, Aomori, Japan
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| coordinates_ref = {{coord|41|17|59|N|141|25|06|E|display=inline,title}}
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| surface_elevation_ref = 0 m
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| area = {{Convert|15000|ha|acres}}
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{{refimprove|date=May 2024}}
{{nihongo|Sarugamori Sand Dunes|猿ヶ森砂丘|Sarugamori Sakyū}} is a large area of sand dunes located to the east of the village of Higashidōri in northeastern Aomori Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean.
They are also known as the {{nihongo|Shimokita Sand Dunes|下北砂丘|Shimokita Sakyū}} because of their location on Shimokita Peninsula.
Geography
Measuring approximately {{convert|17|km|mi}} long by {{convert|1|km|mi}} to {{convert|2|km|mi}} wide, with an area of {{Convert|15000|ha|acres}}, the dunes are also Japan's largest area of singing sand.
Behind the sand dunes lie ponds and marshes forming an important wildlife habitat.{{cite web|url=http://www.sizenken.biodic.go.jp/pc/wet_en/68/68.html|title=500 Important Wetlands in Japan|year=2002|work=No.68 Sarugamori-sakyu and Its Back Marsh|publisher=The Ministry of the Environment, Japan|language=English|accessdate=4 March 2017}}
Military use
Almost all of the area of the Sarugamori Sand Dunes are used for military training by Japan's Ministry of Defense, and generally off-limits to tourists.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.mod.go.jp/atla/shimokita.html Japan's Ministry of Defense Shimokita Test Grounds]{{in lang|ja}}
- [http://www.shimokita-geopark.com/ Shimokita Geopage home page] {{in lang|ja}}
- [https://www.directoajapon.com/blog/las-misteriosas-dunas-de-arena-de-sarugamori/161.html Article in Directo a Japón] {{in lang|es}}