Do you know all the national parks in Japan? Japan has incredible natural tourism, due to the exuberance and preservation of its nature. In this article, we will look at the best national parks and a complete list of all of them.
It is not about parks like Asakusa or Ueno; it is literally a forest and an area with many hectares that are reserved by the government, which may or may not be open to the public.
Today, there are more than 80 national parks spread throughout the archipelago, which certainly deserve a visit from anyone going to the country. Here we list the five national parks you cannot miss in Japan:
What are National Parks in Japan?
The Japanese National Parks are called kokuritsu koen [公園] and the Regular Parks are called kokutei koen [定公園]. They are places of scenic beauty designated for protection and sustainable use by the Minister of the Environment under the Natural Parks Law of 1957.
Since 1931, Japan has had legislation for environmental protection and the demarcation of preserved areas, with the first national natural parks created in 1934.
The National Parks of Japan are managed by the Ministry of the Environment, while smaller parks are managed by the municipality, a private or individual institution.
The area of each National Park and Quasi-National Park is divided into common, special, and marine zones. The special zones are subdivided into protection zones that may restrict access for preservation purposes.
5 – Kerama Shotō National Park
Kerama National Park is located around the Kerama Islands, from which the park gets its name. This region is characterized by turquoise blue water and white sand, with the main attractions being water and extreme sports, such as swimming, diving, and climbing.
There are 22 islands that make up the Kerama Islands, with 4 completely uninhabited. They are located in Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost prefecture of Japan. The most popular islands for visitation are Tokashiki (the largest island), Zamami, and Aka.
To access the islands, you must take a ferry from Naha, in Okinawa, with the option of an express ferry. There are hotels and resorts around the park area.
There are many marine animals that can be seen in the park, such as whales, turtles, and large fish. The park is certainly a great tip for those traveling to Japan in the summer.
4 – Shiretoko National Park
Shiretoko National Park is a spectacle for those who love preserved nature and contact with wildlife. It is located in the northern part of Hokkaido, the most untouched region of Japan, on the Shiretoko Peninsula. The park occupies almost the entire area of the peninsula, and access to the most remote areas is only by boat or on foot; there are no roads in much of the park.
Shiretoko is famous for its wildlife and its large population of animals such as brown bears, deer, and foxes. In fact, it is the place with the largest population of brown bears in Japan. In the summer, tourists can spot them from boat tours along the park’s slopes.
In winter, the coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula is the southernmost place in the northern hemisphere where drift ice (pieces of ice in the ocean that are “loose,” not stuck to the coast, rocks, or icebergs) can be found, which is a spectacle in itself. The park has a thermal waterfall called Kamuiwakka Falls (Kamuiwakka-no-taki). Its name means “waters of the gods.”
From Shiretoko Park, it is possible to see Kunashiri Island, a territory disputed by Russia and Japan to this day.
The extremely preserved natural beauty and the park’s care as a conservation area earned it the title of UNESCO World Natural Heritage.
3 – Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park
A place of beautiful landscapes, with a unique natural beauty, Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park has active volcanoes, hot lakes, and a stunning coastline in southern Japan.
Located on Kyushu Island, the southernmost of the 4 main islands that make up the country, the park is in the volcanic region of Kagoshima and Miyazaki, which has 3 volcanic belts.
The 3 active volcanoes can be found in Kirishima-Kinkowan, along with many others that are inactive. There are also lakes and waterfalls of volcanic hot water, famous for their medicinal properties. The region also boasts a beautiful diversity of vegetation, surprising for a volcanic area.
The highest peak among the volcanoes is 1,700m, where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the park and its unique geography, formed by undulations and craters with lakes. This part of the park is an attraction for those who enjoy climbing and hiking.
Another must-see part of the park is Kinko Bay. The bay was formed by a volcanic eruption over 29,000 years ago and still faces the active Sakurajima volcano today.
The park is very close to Kagoshima Airport, making it easy to access. A must-visit to see such a peculiar and unique landscape of Japan.
2 – Yoshino-Kumano National Park
Yoshino-Kumano National Park is located in a non-contiguous area of the prefectures of Mie, Nara, and Wakayama, on the Kii Peninsula.
It is one of the oldest national parks in Japan, established in 1936. The park has mountains, valleys, and beaches, making it a good option for those who want to see nature, history, and culture. This is because the park encompasses the Kumano Sanzan, a group of ancient shrines in the Kumano region, and Mount Yoshino, famous for its beauty.
The park’s main attraction, however, is its cherry blossoms, located on Mount Yoshino, considered a natural and sacred world heritage site by UNESCO. The mountain is regarded as one of the best places for the hanami festival, where people go to contemplate the blooming of the Sakurá (cherry blossom), usually in spring, between late March and mid-April, sometimes extending into May.
1 – Fuji Hakone Izu National Park
The Fuji Hakone Izu National Park is the most popular park in Japan, due to its proximity to Tokyo and the famous Mount Fuji.
Bringing together Mount Fuji and its 5 lakes, Hakone, with its ancient history, shrines, and hot springs, as well as the Izu Peninsula and Islands (added to the park later), the park offers much beauty and a variety of natural landscapes.
Fuji Hakone Izu National Park well represents Japan, with its volcanic landscape, hot springs, diverse vegetation, and island geography, bringing in its heart Mount Fuji, which is not only the highest mountain in Japan but also a symbol and source of pride for its people; visiting it is almost mandatory for anyone going to the country.
List of National Parks in Japan
The list of national parks in Japan below includes the year of their establishment along with their region and hectares:
| National Park of Japan | Year | Region | Hectares |
| Akan National Park | 1934 | Hokkaidō | 90,481 hectares (223.58 acres) |
| Minami Alps National Park | 1964 | Chūbu | 35,752 hectares (88.35 acres) |
| Amami Guntō National Park | 2017 | Kyūshū | 42,181 hectares (104.23 acres) |
| Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park | 1972 | Shikoku | 11,345 hectares (28.03 acres) |
| Aso Kujū National Park | 1934 | Kyūshū | 72,678 hectares (179.59 acres) |
| Bandai-Asahi National Park | 1950 | Tōhoku | 186,389 hectares (460.58 acres) |
| Chichibu Tama Kai National Park | 1950 | Kantō | 126,259 hectares (311.99 acres) |
| Chūbu-Sangaku National Park | 1934 | Chūbu | 174,323 hectares (430.76 acres) |
| Daisen-Oki National Park | 1936 | Chūgoku | 35,353 hectares (87.36 acres) |
| Daisetsuzan National Park | 1934 | Hokkaidō | 226,764 hectares (560.35 acres) |
| Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park | 1936 | Kantō | 121,695 hectares (300.71 acres) |
| Hakusan National Park | 1962 | Chūbu | 11,345 hectares (28.03 acres) |
| Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park | 1972 | Kyūshū | 40,653 hectares (100.46 acres) |
| Ise-Shima National Park | 1946 | Kinki | 55,544 hectares (137.25 acres) |
| Jōshin’etsu-kōgen National Park | 1949 | Kantō | 148,194 hectares (366.20 acres) |
| Kerama Shotō National Park | 2014 | Kyūshū | 3,520 hectares (8,700 acres) |
| Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park | 1934 | Kyūshū | 36,586 hectares (90.41 acres) |
| Kushiro-shitsugen National Park | 1987 | Hokkaidō | 28,788 hectares (71.14 acres) |
| Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park | 2015 | Chūbu | 39,772 hectares (98.28 acres) |
| Nikkō National Park | 1934 | Kantō | 114,908 hectares (283.94 acres) |
| Ogasawara National Park | 1972 | Kantō | 6,629 hectares (16,380 acres) |
| Oze National Park | 1972 | Tōhoku | 37,200 hectares (91.92 acres) |
| Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park | 1974 | Hokkaidō | 24,166 hectares (59.72 acres) |
| Saikai National Park | 1955 | Kyūshū | 24,646 hectares (60.90 acres) |
| Sanin Kaigan National Park | 1936 | Kinki | 8,783 hectares (21,700 acres) |
| Sanriku Fukkō National Park | 1955 | Tōhoku | 28,537 hectares (70.52 acres) |
| Setonaikai National Park | 1934 | Kinki, Chūgoku, Shikoku, Kyushu | 67,242 hectares (166.16 acres) |
| Shikotsu-Tōya National Park | 1949 | Hokkaidō | 99,473 hectares (245.80 acres) |
| Shiretoko National Park | 1964 | Hokkaidō | 38,636 hectares (95.47 acres) |
| Towada-Hachimantai National Park | 1936 | Tōhoku | 85,534 hectares (211.36 acres) |
| Unzen-Amakusa National Park | 1934 | Kyūshū | 28,279 hectares (69.88 acres) |
| Yakushima National Park | 2012 | Kyūshū | 32,553 hectares (80.44 acres) |
| Yanbaru National Park | 2016 | Kyūshū | 13,622 hectares (33.66 acres) |
| Yoshino-Kumano National Park | 1936 | Kinki | 61,406 hectares (151.74 acres) |
List of Regular Parks in Japan
Kantō
- Suigō-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
- Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park
- Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park
- Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park
Kansai
- Suzuka Quasi-National Park
- Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park
- Tango-Amanohashidate-Ōeyama Quasi-National Park
- Biwako Quasi-National Park
- Murō-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park
- Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park
- Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park
- Kōya-Ryūjin Quasi-National Park
- Meiji no Mori Minō Quasi-National Park
- Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park
Chūbu
- Echigo Sanzan-Tadami Quasi-National Park
- Myōgi-Arafune-Saku Kōgen Quasi-National Park
- Sado-Yahiko-Yoneyama Quasi-National Park
- Noto Hantō Quasi-National Park
- Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park
- Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Park
- Tenryū-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park
- Ibi-Sekigahara-Yōrō Quasi-National Park
- Hida-Kisogawa Quasi-National Park
- Aichi Kōgen Quasi-National Park
- Mikawa Wan Quasi-National Park
Hokkaidō
- Abashiri Quasi-National Park
- Hidaka-sanmyaku Erimo Quasi-National Park
- Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park
- Ōnuma Quasi-National Park
- Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park
Tōhoku
- Shimokita Hantō Quasi-National Park
- Tsugaru Quasi-National Park
- Hayachine Quasi-National Park
- Kurikoma Quasi-National Park
- Minami-Sanriku Kinkazan Quasi-National Park
- Zaō Quasi-National Park
- Oga Quasi-National Park
- Chōkai Quasi-National Park
Chūgoku and Shikoku
- Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park
- Hiba-Dōgo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park
- Nishi-Chūgoku Sanchi Quasi-National Park
- Kita Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park
- Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park
- Tsurugisan Quasi-National Park
- Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park
- Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park
Kyūshū
- Kitakyūshū Quasi-National Park
- Genkai Quasi-National Park
- Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park
- Iki-Tsushima Quasi-National Park
- Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi Quasi-National Park
- Nippō Kaigan Quasi-National Park
- Sobo Katamuki Quasi-National Park
- Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park
- Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park
- Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park
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