Mount Hakusan Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1980, in Japan. Mount Hakusan Biosphere Reserve is located in central Japan and spans the prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui and Gifu. Mount Hakusan, at the centre of the biosphere reserve, is a volcano 2,702 metres above sea level with eight craters near its summit. Among mountains with alpine zones, Mount Hakusan is located at the westernmost point. Most people live in mountain villages in the transition areas. Japanese people have lived there since ancient times.