10 Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan

When one thinks of Japan, one often thinks of the gigantic metropolis of Tokyo, along with its vibrant technological society, particularly impressive for its ingenuity and innovation. Another famous image and symbol of Japan is the famous Mount Fuji, which rises beautifully and gracefully towards the sky.

Sakura trees may also be pictured when you think of this beautiful country that has many amazing things to see and do. In any case, compared to the wide variety of attractions on offer, Japan's national parks often find themselves somewhat inaccessible to visitors to its shores. However, natural beauty abounds here, and many incredible sights will amaze you with their picturesqueness.

I present to you the 10 most beautiful national parks in Japan

Ogasawara National Park

Ogasawara National Park. Japan

The Bonin Islands, as they are sometimes called, were bitterly contested during World War II and form an archipelago of islands that form Ogasawara National Park. Accessible only by boat, the travel time to this remote park is well worth the incredible beauty on display here.

Approaching the stunning coves and secluded beaches that dot its shores is an amazing and refreshing experience after a long journey. Unique in terms of its evolutionary heritage, Ogasawara is sometimes called the "Galapagos Islands of the East" and is therefore interesting and worth exploring.

The turquoise waters surrounding the islands beautifully frame the amazing landscapes, which are home to many species of fauna, flora and mammals that are endemic to this unique environment. The stunning stone arch at Minamijima is just one of the national park's highlights.

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Japan

Famous for the Iriomote wild cat that lives within its boundaries, the secluded islands of this national park are simply stunning. Lagoons surround some of the islands here, and their crystal clear waters only add to the beauty of this untamed wilderness, as do the subtropical fauna and flora that cover their spectacular landscapes.

Magnificent views abound and a number of sweeping panoramas can be found as you hike along the limestone cliffs that rarely open onto the beaches below.

On top of that, the cascades light up the dense undergrowth with the delightful sounds they make as well as the beautiful picture they paint among the trees. Birds circling overhead only add to the scenic beauty of the beautiful Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park.

Aso-Kuju National Park

Amazing hotel in Aso-Kuju National Park

Named after Mount Aso and the Kuju Mountains, this national park's beautiful landscapes are dominated by tall peaks that rise dramatically above the surrounding plains. Mount Aso, an active volcano, has a beautiful caldera that visitors can walk through, and there are several hot springs nearby that are great for swimming.

The volcanic landscape is barren and scarred by lava flows and is truly impressive. On the plains below the Kuju Mountains are the Kuju Flower Gardens, which explode with color and life during the high season.

Sakura Furusato Hiroba [Chiba Prefecture]

Throughout the year, many tourists flock to Sakura Furusato Hiroba to admire the flower scenery with the Danish mill in the background. There are about 600,000 tulips that bloom in April, 20,000 July sunflowers and approximately 500,000 September cosmos. During flowering, various events are held, and the management also invites visitors to participate in collecting flowers. Entrance to the garden is completely free. It is a half hour's walk from Keisei Usui Station. There is also a regular shuttle bus from the north exit of Keisei Sakura Station to Furusato Hiroba.

Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Dragon's Eye Pond in Towada-Hachimantai National Park

This mountainous region has many beautiful trails and routes that are ideal for desert hiking. The park changes with the seasons, and in winter the snow-covered forests of Juhyo are a breathtaking and unusual sight.

During the summer, a variety of flowers appear and bring the area to life thanks to the rich variety of fauna and flora that cover the mountains in the park. The volcanic nature of the area means that hot springs can be found within Towada-Hachimantai, and beautiful rivers and lakes are interspersed with never-ending mountains.

Yoshino-Kumano National Park

Yoshino-Kumano National Park. Japan

Yoshino-Kumano National Park

The unique appearance of the rock formations that rise impressively along the coastline of this national park is just one of the stunning natural wonders you can find in Yoshino Kumano.

Jutting out into the sea, these intriguing geological wonders are mesmerizing, as are the varied landscapes that blend and merge to create a beautiful patchwork of incredible scenes. Peaceful rivers flow through steep gorges that turn into mountains before your eyes, forests cover the hills and valleys, and in between it all you can find wonderful waterfalls.

The sacred Mount Omine, covered in lush fauna and flora and shrouded in mist, is a delight to visit, as is Mount Yoshino, whose summit offers beautiful panoramas of the surrounding area. Old cobbled paths lead through mysterious forests, and walking along them will leave an unforgettable experience.

Kerama Shoto National Park

Kerama Shoto National Park. Japan

Kerama Shoto National Park

This idyllic archipelago of islands off the coast of Okinawa is stunning with its fairytale-like appearance. Tropical nature, pristine turquoise water surrounding the islands gives way to creamy white beaches that are so pleasant to relax on.

Lush fauna and flora cover the low-lying interior of the islands, and an overnight stay in one of the minshuku on offer is well worth the expense. At sea, the eclectic colors of the coral reefs attract scuba divers and snorkelers who enjoy the beautiful underwater world.

Sea turtles swim lazily by, and lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of humpback whales, which sometimes pass through local waters. Kerama Shoto National Park is an earthly paradise that simply beckons you to come and enjoy it.

Nikko National Park

Nikko National Park in Japan

Nikko, home to the stunning Toshogu Shrine, is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country and is definitely worth a visit. The park is rife with history, and the aforementioned shrine is a must-visit, as is the Rinno-ji Buddhist Temple. Breathtaking scenery is common in Nikko, and visitors are guaranteed to love all of its amazing attractions.

The waters of Kegon Falls, for example, plunge delightfully into the pools below and are perfectly visible among the dense forests on either side of it. Just beyond the falls is the huge Lake Chuzenji, which lies so beautifully between the mountains and the surrounding hills. Among them, Mount Nantai is the most impressive and offers wonderful views of the lake below.

Mount Nikko Shirane is another amazing feature of the park, and its snow-capped peak is unusual and majestic, standing out against the bright blue sky. The endless wonders of nature are on display at Nikko National Park.

Nanohana Festival in Yokohama [Aomori Prefecture]

In Aomori Prefecture, the city of Yokohama, the largest rapeseed field in Japan (Japanese nanohana) is located, which occupies as much as 143 hectares. During flowering, the entire city is transformed into a beautiful golden sea. The best time to travel is the first half of May. Every year at the end of spring, the Nanohana festival is held here, where guests are invited to admire the blooming rapeseed trees, as well as take part in the marathon of the same name. Admission for adults and high school students is only ¥100.

Shiretoko National Park

Nature in Shiretoko National Park. Japan

Shiretoko National Park

Situated right on the northeastern tip of Hokkaido, Shiretoko National Park's remote and secluded location has helped keep its beautiful scenery intact and untamed. The main attraction of the park is its five magnificent lakes; Radiant with their beauty, the lakes are ideal for walks, and the surrounding mountains and forests only add to the splendor of your walks.

A delightful attraction in the park is the Kamuywakka Falls, which is well worth a visit. Climbing over the rocks that dot the river, the water gradually warms as you get closer to the hot springs, and bathing in their warm water creates a wonderful experience of the untouched nature around you.

To get a great view of Shiretoko National Park, head to Shiretoko Pass and admire the beautiful scenery before you.

Tambo Flower Garden in Tsukatta [Shizuoka Prefecture]

The name of this flower garden comes from the fact that all the flowers are planted in the rice field (Japanese tambo) before it is used for rice cultivation. Here you can see a huge variety of flowers: for example, Dimorphotheca notemata, forget-me-not, snapdragon, daisy, poppy and Rogers centifolia. All of them grow in a rice field of 52,000 m². And along the Nakagawa River, 1,200 somei yoshino cherry trees bloom each April in April, creating a stunning backdrop for the flowers. Flowers bloom from early March to early May. By the way, from May 1 to May 5 you have the opportunity to pick yourself a whole bouquet for free!

Akan Mashu National Park

Akan Mashu National Park in Japan

The environment of Akan Mashu, one of the country's oldest national parks, has long been protected and preserved for everyone to enjoy. The stunning scenery on display makes the park beautiful, and its diverse ecosystems and wide range of attractions only add to its interest.

Visitors could spend weeks among all the natural wonders of Akan Mashu and still not see all that the park has to offer. Incredible volcanic craters, endless forests and crystal clear lakes. Immersion in the pristine environment will fill you with peace and a constant sense of amazement at the breathtaking beauty around you.

Kawachi Fujien [Fukuoka Prefecture]

Kawachi Fujien is a private wisteria park that opened in April 1977. There are covered walkways (about 80 and 220 m long!), which are entwined with long branches of wisteria. Along with the maples growing here, this made Kawachi Park an interesting place not only for foreigners, but also for Japanese tourists. The park's opening times vary each year, but in the spring it is typically open from late April to mid-May, and in the fall from mid-November to mid-December. If you want to see wisteria, come in early May, and if you're interested in fall colors, come in late November.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

The best Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Japan

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park includes a huge number of natural wonders. The main attraction is the famous Mount Fuji, which stands out so clearly in its appearance, but that is not the only reason why it is Japan's most popular national park.

There are over a thousand volcanic islands in the park, and beautiful waterways wind brilliantly through the mountains, hills and valleys of the area. Lakes and hot springs proliferate, as do the cherry trees that characterize its landscapes.

Waterfalls also abound, as do ancient forests that grow on old lava fields that once made their way down the slopes of the volcanoes.

Himawari no Sato [Hokkaido]

This is one of the largest sunflower gardens in Japan, with 1.5 million sunflowers growing on an area of 23.13 hectares! The incredible August landscape, bathed in variegated golden paint, looks as if it has just stepped off a painted canvas. Be sure to come here during sunflower bloom to take a lazy stroll through the beautiful garden. Also try renting bikes and riding around the field. By the way, entrance to Himawari no Sato is completely free.