Sense the wonder and diversity of nature in Japan’s national parks

Japan is as much about sustainably managed natural beauty as it is about futuristic cities and pop culture, and the variety of landscapes found across the archipelago’s 3,000 kilometers from north to south is remarkable. The country’s 35 national parks offer the opportunity to experience the wondrous diversity of nature in myriad ways, from ascending snowy mountains and marveling at ice-covered lakes to lounging on tropical beaches and trekking through dense rainforests inhabited by elusive endemic wildlife. Japan’s nature reserves encompass both isolated wilderness and areas readily accessible from major cities, providing an abundance of choice for adventurers of all abilities and persuasions.

Up in the far north on the Sea of Okhotsk coast, Shiretoko National Park in eastern Hokkaido is as remote as they come. While there are some roads leading through the mountainous Shiretoko Peninsula—its name meaning “end of the earth” in the native Ainu language—much of the untouched land can only be seen by boat or by trekking through it on foot.

Parts of the park are entirely inaccessible in winter, when the best way to experience Shiretoko is from the water. Ice from the northern Sea of Okhotsk drifts past the peninsula between January and April, making ice walking tours and drift ice cruises popular seasonal activities. Once the harshness of winter gives way to the gentle sunshine and bright greenery of spring, the Shiretoko Goko (Five Lakes) on the western side of the peninsula shed their icy shell, revealing a marshland ecosystem teeming with life. The scenery can be viewed from an elevated boardwalk or from several trails around the lakes. Walking with a registered guide for the trails is required from May to July, when the bears of Shiretoko are most active.
Another group of majestic animals also appears in the Shiretoko area when the temperatures rise. In spring and summer, sperm whales, minke whales, and orcas (killer whales) swim through the Nemuro Strait on the eastern side of the peninsula in great numbers. Whale-watching cruises depart from the port of Rausu, an area noted for its populations of birds such as Steller’s sea and white-tailed eagles. While different seasons bring different species to Shiretoko, you can always look forward to encountering native wildlife across the national park.

In contrast to Shiretoko and its dramatic shifts in appearance from season to season, Setonaikai National Park has a mild climate that makes this sprawling reserve’s sandy beaches, lush forests, and historic villages convenient to visit year-round. One of Japan’s oldest national parks extends across the Seto Inland Sea region, containing highlights such as the captivating Inland Sea archipelago, the Rokko mountain range, the tidal whirlpools of the Naruto Strait, and off the coast of Hiroshima the sacred island of Miyajima.

Among the many means available to appreciate the island-dotted landscape, cycling and canoeing are among the most exciting. Cyclists will want to seek out the Shimanami Kaido, a scenic 70-kilometer route across bridges connecting six Inland Sea islands. For those who’d like to take in the marine scenery at a more leisurely pace, chartering a cruiser or sailboat is the ideal option. With the freedom to decide your own timetable and itinerary, you can explore the Inland Sea at will.

Every three years, Setonaikai National Park serves as a picturesque backdrop for the international Setouchi Triennale art festival. Museums and site-specific artworks on islands such as Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima—designed to achieve a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding nature and to avoid disturbing the panorama of the Inland Sea—showcase a blend of cutting-edge contemporary art and forward-looking sustainability initiatives.

Yet farther south in Okinawa, time seems to slow down as you explore ancient rainforests, deep blue seas and an awe-inspiring diversity of wildlife in Yambaru National Park. Occupying over 17,000 hectares at the northern end of Okinawa Island, this subtropical wilderness is home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. Among them is the flightless Okinawa rail, which lives only in and around Yambaru.

Many of the creatures that call Yambaru home are nocturnal and like to stay out of sight, but in the company of a knowledgeable guide, a nighttime stroll through the forest can result in some unforgettable encounters. The after-dark walking tours offered in the park provide insight into local conservation efforts and, on clear nights, provide the opportunity to view the spectacle of the night sky far from any sources of light pollution. During the day, kayaking through the mangrove forest at Gesashi Bay—among the largest on the island of Okinawa—is a relaxing way to explore this fragile ecosystem.

Yambaru National Park also includes one of the most venerated sacred sites on Okinawa. Four distinctive peaks rise above a landscape of curious rock formations and exotic vegetation at Daisekirinzan, a hiking destination located at the northern tip of the national park. This is where the royals of the Ryukyu Dynasty (1429–1879) prayed to the deities of the islands for prosperity and protection, and dozens of ancient places of worship remain amid the dense forest and the limestone boulders dotting it.