When people think of Japan they often think of Hello Kitty, portable watermelon fridges, or haircuts that look like tomatoes. It’s a country often under-appreciated for all the nature it has to offer.
It being the Golden Week holidays here in Japan and time to kick back, we’re going to take you on a whirlwind tour of the nation, making stops at some of the most beautiful natural areas around. These places range from local favorites and national treasures, to some places even Japanese people aren’t aware of.
We’ll be working our way right down to the Ryukyu region, but let’s begin our photo journey at the northernmost tip of the country in the vast, unspoiled wilderness that is Hokkaido…
Hokkaido has a lot of natural beauty, but perhaps the most unique is the very thin Notsuke Peninsula, stretching out from the mainland.
Image: Betsukai Town
It’s just wide enough to allow a paved road to run along it, perfect for a leisurely drive. As an added bonus it’s right off the coast of Russian controlled island of Kunashir.
Image: Back to the Street
Tomamu is a great place to go for skiing, but summer would be the perfect item to kick back on the Sea of Clouds Terrace (Unkai Terasu) where you can casually sip on a coffee on an open air patio as clouds float past your feet.
Image: Snow Tomamu
Image: Koziii
It the summer heat starts getting to you, anyone in Northeastern Japan’s Iwate Prefecture can take refuge in Uchamigi Cave. It’s the fifth longest cave in Japan at 6,350 meters, and is home to the endangered tube-nosed bat.
Image: Kuji City
Or if you’re further south and in Fukushima Prefecture there’s no better place to spend a sunny day than by Oguni-numa Pond.
Image: Urbandai
At the northernmost tip of Japan’s main Island lies Mount Osore (lit. “Mount Fear”) in Aomori Prefecture. Once believed to be a gateway to the afterlife paved with suffering for those who led an immoral life, it is actually a somewhat active volcano leaving behind creepy yet beautiful rocks.
Image: Wikipedia – Itoshin87
On the west side of this very same peninsula are the spectacular Hotoke Ga Ura rock formations.
Image: Grand Touring Japan Travel
A little south of the “entrance to hell” that is Mount Osore, you’ll find a piece of heaven at Lake Towada. Words simply cannot do this place justice.
Image: Wikipedia – Soica2001
If you happen to be in Aomori in the winter season you can take a tour of the ridiculously high accumulation of snow in the Hakkoda Mountains.
Image: Sokksupapa
People living in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo might feel left out of some natural and rustic scenery, but fret not: a short trip west will land you in picturesque Okutama in Saitama Prefecture.
Image: Morinaga
Going a little further north into Saitama Prefecture, you’ll reach the Okuchichibu Mountains which have a lot to offer, like illuminated icicles.
Image: Desireart
Image: Sunevok
Image: Chichibu Web Guide
Also nearby in Chiba Prefecture are some nice rock formations along the coast.
At the north end of Gumna Prefecture in the heartland of Japan, the elevated wetlands of Ayamedaira rest in Ore National Park. Visitors can walk along wooden planks and soak in the surrounding beauty.
Image: Kazeneko
Nagano Prefecture is well-known for its mountains excellent skiing and snowboarding, but the prefecture is also worth checking out in the autumn season to see some stunning foliage, such as this in Kinasa.
Image: Nontan
Image: Carview
Also, a lot of the prefecture’s picturesque landscapes can be found around the lovely Hakuba village.
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Image: GANREF
If you like quaint train stations, it doesn’t get any quainter than Omori Station in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Image: Huijiang.com
If that’s a little too rustic for you, Kowada Station in the same prefecture offers just a little extra dash of civilization.
Image: naka premium
Image: Nifty
Gifu Prefecture is home to Itoshiro No Osugi, a 1,800-year-old Japanese cedar tree 25 meters tall and 18 meters around. You can find it in Mount Haku National Park.
Image: National Parks of Japan
Nearby is the famous historic village of Shirakawa, where a house may still be up for rent.
Image: Tripass
Image: Nabetuna
In contrast to the elegant symmetry of Mt. Fuji, Toyama Prefecture’s Mt. Tsurugi impresses the rugged power of nature through its massive size and jagged peaks.
Image: Yama Ski Info
Image: Shinshu Tabi
Southwest Japan has more to offer than just okonomiyaki and temples. Takeda Castle, also known as the Castle of the Sky is located in Asagoshi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Another name for it is Crouching Tiger Castle because when viewed from the side it resembles a tiger on its stomach. Originally built on top of a mountain about 350 meters above sea level, its ruins are often surrounded by mist, drawing comparisons to Machu Picchu.
Image: Yakei Kabegami
Can you see the tiger?
Image: Ganref
Image: JAC
Image: Tabinome
Wakayama Prefecture is a largely rural peninsula with lots of natural beauty and religious significance to appreciate.
Image: Kanko Kushimoto
Kushimoto is a town on the southern edge of Wakayama on an isthmus between the mainland and a would-be island. The surrounding area treats visitors to unique rock formations.
Image: National Parks of Japan
Head a few kilometers north and you can enjoy this beautiful beach tucked away with Atashika City.
Image: ymichihata
If you’re not in a rush, you can visit these places and much more by hiking along the Kumano Kodo, a sacred Buddhist pilgrimmage trail which runs throughout the Kii Mountains in Wakayama and extending into neighboring Nara and Mie Prefectures.
Image: World Heritage Next
Image: Wikipedia – Jnn
Image: Mok525zy
Over in Japan’s least populous prefecture, Tottori, are the famous sand dunes, which give us a convenient taste of desert life. You can wander through the wide expanse of sand and still get home for dinner.
Image: Konan Kanko
While in Tottori, you can also head out to the Sanbutsu Temple, precariously located on the side of a steep cliff.
Image: K. Sota
Aside from the mainland features of Japan, the country is also dotted with several gorgeous islands, particularly in the more tropical south.
Image: Wikipedia – Taro Nagoya
Above is an ocean view of Nakano Island of the Tokara Islands which can be found as you head south towards Okinawa. Also among this group is Yokoate Island shown below in stereoscopic view. If you uncross your eyes just right you can see it in 3D.
Image: © National Land Image Information (Color Aerial Photographs) Made based on [http://w3land.mlit.go.jp/WebGIS/ National Land Image Information (Color Aerial Photographs)], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Going past Okinawa near Taiwan and the disputed Senkaku Islands, we find the ever so tiny and tranquil Ogami Island and its very unusual rocks standing clear of the water.
Image: O-Gamijima
Of course this is just a sample of some beautiful places around Japan. We could go on, but too much scenery at once would be bad for your health. If you haven’t already made the trip over here, take another quick look at this collection of beautiful photos and ask yourself one question: why not?
Source: Tetsugaku News (Japanese)
Map Segments: Wikipedia – Christian Günther
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Origin: Japan’s Lesser Known Natural Treasures: A Photo Journey
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