Sarugamori Sand Dunes (猿ヶ森砂丘) 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 Shimokita Sand Dunes (下北砂丘) because of their location on Shimokita Peninsula. Measuring approximately 17 km long by 1 km to 2 km wide, with an area of 15000 ha, the dunes are also Japan's largest area of singing sand. Behind the sand dunes lie ponds and marshes forming an important wildlife habitat. 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.