{"id":12375,"date":"2020-01-25T18:19:42","date_gmt":"2020-01-25T16:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.destinavo.com\/?p=12375"},"modified":"2020-04-09T17:59:38","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T15:59:38","slug":"national-parks-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.destinavo.com\/en\/national-parks-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"National Parks in Japan – A Visitor’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is an abundance of national parks in Japan, thanks to the country\u2019s biodiversity and unique landscapes. Many of the Japanese national parks allow visitors to enjoy their scenic beauty and outdoor activities.<\/p>\n

Other parks designate preserved land to protect vital parts of Japan\u2019s natural heritage. As a tourist, many of these places are off-the-beaten-path in Japan<\/a> and give a unique perspective when explored. <\/p>\n

Shiretoko National Park<\/h2>\n

Shiretoko National Park is a designated area of the Shiretoko Peninsula, established in 1964. It\u2019s one of the easternmost points in Japan, preserved thanks to the remote nature of its location. The park\u2019s landscape ranges from mountains on one side, transitioning to forested areas and, ultimately, the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n

The park is most known for having the largest brown bear population in Japan. Other favorite animal sightings include whales and dolphins. Hiking is a popular activity. The visitor center also provides an informative documentary about the wonders of the park.<\/p>\n

\"Shiretoko
Photo: rayints\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Towada Hachimantai National Park<\/h2>\n

Towada Hachimantai National Park is a unique park, divided into two mountainous regions in Japan \u2013 Towada-Hakk\u014dda and Hachimental areas. It\u2019s best known for the scenic beauty across the park, including very diverse plant and animal life.<\/p>\n

Visitors can discover several natural landmarks in the park, including Lake Towada, the Oirase River Valley, and the volcanic Hakk\u014dda mountains. The park established in 1936 and is a destination for lake cruises and hiking.<\/p>\n

\"Towada
Photo: Boophuket\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nikko National Park<\/h2>\n

Nikko National Park bridges the gap between nature and culture. The former Imperial park achieved national park status in 1934, recognized for being one of the most beautiful places in Japan.<\/p>\n

Nikko National Park includes several natural and humanmade landmarks across three sections of the park. The top sites include Kegon Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Japan, Rinn\u014d-ji, the most notable Buddhist temple, and Nikk\u014d T\u014dsh\u014d-g\u016b, the most notable Shinto shrine.<\/p>\n

Visitors can enjoy a mix of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and skiing. The park area also includes the beautiful Chuzenji Lake. <\/p>\n

\"Nikko
Photo: Wipark Kulnirandorn\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park<\/h2>\n

Japan\u2019s iconic Mount Fuji, and other famous landmarks reside within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is one of the first established in Japan and specially organized to encompass several prominent areas for Japan. It includes many natural landscapes ranging from volcanic islands to mountains to coastlines.<\/p>\n

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is the most visited park in Japan, thanks to the easily accessible location. It\u2019s a developed park, providing visitors cable cars for views of Japan\u2019s highest volcano or cruise ship excursions along the Fuji Five Lakes.<\/p>\n

\"Fuji-Hakone-Izu
Photo: kuriaki1\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yoshino Kumano National Park<\/h2>\n

Yoshino Kumano National Park is located in multiple areas of Japan \u2013 Mie, Nara, and Wakayama \u2013 spread across several cities and villages. The preserved natural scenery of the park is the main attraction for visitors.<\/p>\n

The highlight of the Yoshino Kumano National Park is Mount Yoshino, known for its abundance of native cherry blossom trees growing along its mountainsides. It\u2019s also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other landmarks to see within the park include the Nachi Falls and Kushimoto Marine Park.<\/p>\n

\"Yoshino
Photo: Flowersandtraveling\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aso Kuj\u016b National Park<\/h2>\n

Volcanoes are abundant in Aso Kuj\u016b National Park. The park first established in 1934, solely names after Mount Aso, but later expanded and renamed to include the Kuj\u016b mountains in 1986.<\/p>\n

Mount Aso is Japan\u2019s largest active volcano and one of the main attractions for visitors to the park. It\u2019s one of the many volcanoes here, visible from scenic viewpoints as the backdrop to the caldera of forested slopes and grasslands.<\/p>\n

Visitors have unrestricted access to the Aso Kuj\u016b National Park for mountain trekking, camping, or horseback riding.<\/p>\n

\"Aso
Photo: b-hide the scene\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yakushima National Park<\/h2>\n

When the former Kirishima-Yaku National Park split, the Yakushima National Park emerged in 2012. The park includes areas of the Yakushima Island and Kuchinoerabujima Island. The islands represent two worlds, one predominantly forested, and the other an active volcano, creating rich biodiversity within the park.<\/p>\n

Yakushima National Park is open to the public, although it has designated areas for sacred grounds and untouchable. It\u2019s a popular destination for climbing the towering cliffs and hiking trails. It\u2019s home to nearly 2,000 plant species, over 100 bird species, and endemic mammals.<\/p>\n

\"Yakushima
Photo: Wirestock Images\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Iriomote Ishigaki National Park<\/h2>\n

The subtropic natural landscape of the Iriomote island in Okinawa is recognized as the Iriomote Ishigaki National Park, established in 1972. It\u2019s Japan\u2019s southernmost park in a region unique developed due to the island\u2019s movement. Iriomote Ishigaki National Park includes the largest Mangrove forest in Japan and the endemic Iriomote wild cat, an endangered species.<\/p>\n

Iriomote Ishigaki National Park is a tourist destination for activities in and outside of the surrounding island waters. Visitors can go diving through the coral reefs or trekking for beautiful sights of the landscape.<\/p>\n

\"Iriomote
Photo: tororo reaction\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park<\/h2>\n

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park designates an area on the eastern side of the Hokkaido Island for the preservation of the region\u2019s wetlands. The wetland ecosystem is recognized as a natural monument because of the biodiversity, making tourism highly regulated for conservation efforts.<\/p>\n

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park derives its name after the Kushiro River, which flows through a majority of the park. The park also includes Japan\u2019s most extensive tracts of reedbeds. Tourism to the park consists of a sightseeing train, biking, and canoeing in the river.<\/p>\n

\"Kushiro
Photo: Littlewormy\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ogasawara National Park<\/h2>\n

Ogasawara National Park is named for the Ogasawara Islands or Bonin Islands. The uninhabited nature of the island archipelago allowed it to develop into a tropical paradise with lots of native plants and animals.<\/p>\n

The National Park has over 400 native plants and endemic animals such as the endangered Bonin flying fox. There are also hundreds of bird species. The rich flora and fauna of the islands led to recognition on the UNESCO World Heritage List.<\/p>\n

Visitors can take ferries around the various islands for day trips to enjoy marine activities or explore landscapes.<\/p>\n

\"Ogasawara
Photo: Kmksk\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kerama Shot\u014d National Park<\/h2>\n

Kerama Shot\u014d National Park is a premier destination for snorkeling and diving in Japan, known for the rich marine life. The park includes the Kerama Islands and the surrounding marine area. It split from the Okinawa Kaigon Quasi-National Park, establishing the Kerama Shot\u014d National Park in 2014.<\/p>\n

Kerama Shot\u014d National Park has clear blue waters and perfect beaches for lounging or enjoying the waters. The islands are developed for tourism with lots of tour and guide options for exploring the colorful reefs.<\/p>\n

\"Kerama
Photo: tutae \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Akan National Park<\/h2>\n

Akan National Park is one of the oldest parks in Japan, established in 1934 on Hakkaid\u014d Island. The natural landscape is impressive for scenic views over a variety of landscapes ad formations. The park includes volcanic craters, forests, lakes, hot springs, and more.<\/p>\n

The Akan Caldera is a part of the Akan National Park, which has the Akan Volcanic Complex. Some of the points of interest within the park include Mount Meakan, the highest peak, and Lake Mash\u016b, a crater lake and one of the clearest in the world.<\/p>\n

\"Akan
Photo: San Hoyano\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sanin Kaigon National Park<\/h2>\n

Sanin Kaigon National Park is a coastal park running along the Sea of Japan. It was established in 1963 and also considered a geopark for the geological significance of the region.<\/p>\n

The coastal location features many unique natural land formations, making it an exciting place to explore or research. The park includes inlets, caves, dunes, and other rock formations.<\/p>\n

The top points of interest include the Tottori Sand Dunes and the Genbud\u014d Cave. Visitors have the chance to trek up the dunes, explore the caves, or relax with scenic views off the coast.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

What is the largest national park in Japan?<\/h3>\n

The largest national park in Japan is the Daisetsuzan National Park, one of the first established in Hokkaid\u014d Island, covering an area of more than 2,200 square kilometers.<\/p>\n

How many national parks are there in Japan?<\/h3>\n

Japan has 30 national parks located across many of the country\u2019s islands and surrounding marine areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want to know more about the national parks in Japan? Here’s a visitor’s guide to each park and more about what to expect when visiting. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[334],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japan-en"],"gutentor_comment":0,"yoast_head":"\nNational Parks in Japan - A Visitor's Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to know more about the national parks in Japan? 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