Sakhalin Spruce Forest
The Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii) is a conifer rarely found in Japan outside of Hokkaido. This evergreen grows throughout Akan-Mashu National Park, where it is a protected species, especially near Meakan Onsen and on Mt. Meakan. Sakhalin spruces thrive in harsh environments, such as Mt. Meakan’s ashy volcanic soil, and some of the trees growing here are around 250 years old and up to 30 meters tall.