Japan is one of the most beautiful countries in East Asia with her many attractions and sights of nature such as park, lakes, majestic mountains and quiet countrysides. They provide both an urban charm and natural seductiveness, and nothing illustrates this best than the parks in Japan. Some can be found in the modern cities that are the focal point of busy Japan, while others flourish in Mother Nature with quaint little towns and villages.
The national parks in Japan are often high on the itineraries of first time visitors to the country. In the hectic times that we all face nowadays, many of us enjoy traveling to places far and wide all over the world that offer a temporary escape from our busy lives. What could be better to provide that than visiting the many amazing gardens and park in Japan that symbolize a fusion of both the East and West?
There are 29 national parks in Japan as of today, and they make up a total area of more than five per cent of the country. While locals are an ever present in terms of visitors, there is an increasing number of foreign tourists who are eager to have a taste of what the nature of Japan has to offer. The more popular parks include the ones found in Nikko, Fuji-Hakone-Izu and Shiretoko.
Nikko city is the town that leads one to the National Park, and it has a surprisingly small population. However, visitors arrive non-stop to see for themselves the scenic beauty of the area. From the serene and tranquil Lake Chuzenji to the majestic Mount Nantai, the park reaches far and wide over a total of four prefectures. Even visitors on a budget Nikko National Park day tour would be able to enjoy other highlights that include the large Kegon waterfall as well as the Toshogu shrine that has become a recognizable landmark for the city itself.
Mount Fuji can safely be said to be the one sight that everyone associates most often with Japan. However, the area in which it is found has an understated elegance of its own - the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It has an even larger area relative to Nikko park. This is due to the inclusion of Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes and other locations within it. Even tiny islets are included within the region, illustrating perfectly why it is often regarded as the biggest park in Japan.
Perhaps one of the most understated parks in Japan is Shiretoko National Park. It is a true natural haven untouched in the most part by civilization or commercialization. In fact, there is no way one can get there on wheels. There is much to see in terms of wildlife that might not be possible in other parts of Japan. The Shiretoko National Park also has a huge variety of flora and fauna, prompting UNESCO to designate the area as a World Heritage Site and it is a source of pride for the advanced industrial country.
Whether it be an adventure to the wilderness in Shiretoko, an experience with national symbols in Fuji-Hakone-Izu or visiting Nikko National Park on a tour package, Japan’s national parks have so much to offer for the eager and willing traveler. One will never cease to be amazed by a country that has an advanced and modern metropolis in its city centre of Tokyo, while surrounded by such extensive and beautiful nature.
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