Akan National Park
Akan National Park is home to dense forests of Sakhalin, volcanic peaks, huge caldera lakes and of course the mountains. Akan National Park has 3 lakes located inside the park Lake Akan, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo, out of which, Lake Mashu is known to have the clearest water in the whole world.
Akan National Park is divided into two separate regions. The western region has Lake Akan, along with a lakeside hot spring resort, while the larger eastern part contains the remaining lakes Lake Mahsu and Lake Kussharo (Sulfur Mountain). Hiking is one of the star attractions of Akan National Park, which draws in hikers from all around the world.
Nikko National Park
Located near Tokyo in the Kanto region, Nikko is among Japan’s most popular destinations. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to historic shrines including Toshogu, the most decorated shrine in Japan and natural wonders such as onsen and waterfalls. This park makes a good day trip or overnight trip from Tokyo.
From either Tokyo Station or Ueno Station, take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station. There, transfer to the JR Nikko Line to Nikko Station. The trip takes between an hour and a half and two hours.
Towada Hachimantai National Park
In the northern Tohoku region, Towada Hachimantai National Park’s Lake Towada, Nyuto Onsen and the Hachimantai Mountains attract thousands of visitors each year. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn when the leaves change color.
San’in Kaigan Geopark
More than just a national park, the San’in Kaigan is a geopark, a certified UNESCO site that preserves the diverse geology of the region. The park is huge, covering over 2,400 square kilometers, and encompasses three different prefectures, Hyogo, Kyoto, and Tottori. One part of the park can look drastically different from the other, as the topography ranges from onsen villages and rice paddies to cerulean beaches. The Tottori sand dunes are the most famous feature of the park. The dunes create an image of a desert but are in fact, right next to the ocean.
Yakushima National Park
If you are a true nature lover and enjoy your time admiring every sight and sound which you come across, then Yakushima National Park is meant for you. This national park is home to some of the oldest living trees in Japan.
The most famous of them all is Jomon Sugi, which is an enormous cedar tree that is supposed to be 7,000 years old. The foggy nature walks in the morning are definitely a sight to behold as you make your way to see the ancient Jomon Sugi. You can also spend your time by indulging in eco-tours, go hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling or camp out in the wild.