Exploring Japan’s National Parks SEE,FEEL, DISCOVER Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu ❶ Explore National Park the Essence 1:2,500,000 of Japan 0 50 100 150 200km panning the length of Japan from the northern frozen peaks of Hokkaido to Kirishima-Kinkowan Daisen-Oki National Park Shiretoko National Park the southern tropical waters of Okinawa, National Park • A landscape full of legend and tradition Akan-Mashu ❷ • Peaceful landscapes in harmony with • Voyage from mountains to sea National Japan’s national parks are a gateway to Shikotsu-Toya Park active volcanoes • Glamping and camping in serene ❻ National Park Hokkaido explore the essence of Japanese culture and • Spiritual traditions in the heart of nature surrounds ❸ ❺ Senjoy the sights, sounds, tastes and smells in which • Follow the coast to mainland Japan’s Daisetsuzan generations of Japanese people have taken delight. southernmost reaches National Park A surprisingly well-kept secret beyond Japan’s ❹ own borders, the national parks of Japan are the Kushiroshitsugen National Park jewel in the crown of the Japanese countryside. Together they illustrate the diversity of environments in the small island nation, which is bursting with unique nature and vistas. There are 34 national parks, each one designated by the Japanese government Aomori as representative of Japanese nature. Whether Towada-Hachimantai National Park epitomising flora, fauna or unique sights, each one ❼ guarantees a snapshot of a side of Japan unseen Keramashoto National Park Aso-Kuju National Park except to the adventurous. • Countless unspoilt beaches to • A world-class caldera shaped by Akita make your own millennia Join us as we begin our journey to introduce eight Iwate • Distinctive tropical island culture • Rustic beauty you can explore of these national parks from across Japan. Each • Underwater paradise with whale your way Sanriku Fukko typifies the encounters you can expect as you connect and sea turtle watching • Inclusive routes for all the family (reconstruction) ❽ Yamagata National Park with Japanese nature and the culture, tradition and cuisine that it has inspired since antiquity. Miyagi 24 Bandai-Asahi ❾ National Park Myoko- Niigata Togakushi renzan San'inkaigan Chubusangaku National Park National Park National Park 13 24 Toyama 17 Oze National Park Shimane 22 Ishikawa Daisen-Oki Tottori 11 Fukushima Saikai National Park National Park Fukui Yamaguchi Hiroshima 26 Okayama 18 Gunma Hakusan 12 Ogasawara Setonaikai National Park 10Nikko National Park National Park Nagano Joshin’etsukogen National Park Shiretoko Fukuoka 23 Hyogo Saga National Park Tochigi ❷ National Park Gifu 15 Kyoto Nagasaki Minami Alps 14 Chichibu-Tama-Kai Oita Shiga National Park National Park Kagawa 19 Yamanashi Saitama Ibaraki Ehime Aichi Tokyo Unzen-Amakusa Tokushima Osaka 27 28 Nara Mie National Park Kumamoto Kochi Kanagawa Aso-Kuju Wakayama Shizuoka National Park Chiba Yoshino-Kumano Fuji-Hakone-Izu 21 National Park 16 National Park Kirishima-Kinkowan 20 National Park29 Miyazaki 25 Ise-Shima Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park Amamigunto National Park National Park Kagoshima 31 29 30 Iriomote-Ishigaki Yakushima (Island) Yambaru National Park National Park 32 34 National Park Keramashoto Okinawa National Park 33 Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park ❶ 1:2,500,000 0 50 100 150 200km Nikko National Park Shiretoko National Park • Celebrated culture born from nature Akan-Mashu ❷ • Varied water activities on tranquil lakes National Shikotsu-Toya Park • Dive deep into nature, direct from Tokyo National Park ❻ Hokkaido ❸ ❺ Daisetsuzan National Park ❹ Kushiroshitsugen National Park Aomori Towada-Hachimantai National Park ❼ Ise-Shima National Park • Discover the spiritual hub of Japan Akita • Vibrant pearl and ama diving culture Iwate • Lose yourself in the spectacular ria coast Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) ❽ Yamagata National Park ❼ ❸ Towada-Hachimantai Akan-Mashu National Park Miyagi National Park • Novel experiences in primeval nature 24 Bandai-Asahi • Healing natural onsen, rich in variety • Magnificent panoramas that weave ❾ National Park Myoko- Niigata • Pristine powder snow and rare lakes, forests, and volcanoes Togakushi renzan frost-clad trees • Authentic indigenous Ainu culture San'inkaigan Chubusangaku National Park National Park National Park 13 • Remote alpine nature and rugged 24 Toyama 17 Oze National Park Shimane 22 Ishikawa volcanic peaks Daisen-Oki Tottori 11 Fukushima Saikai National Park National Park Fukui Yamaguchi Hiroshima 26 Okayama 18 Gunma Hakusan 12 Ogasawara Setonaikai National Park 10Nikko National Park National Park Nagano Joshin’etsukogen National Park Shiretoko Fukuoka 23 Hyogo Saga National Park Tochigi ❷ National Park Gifu 15 Kyoto Nagasaki Minami Alps 14 Chichibu-Tama-Kai Oita Shiga National Park National Park Kagawa 19 Yamanashi Saitama Ibaraki Ehime Aichi Tokyo Unzen-Amakusa Tokushima Osaka 27 28 Nara Mie National Park Kumamoto Kochi Kanagawa Aso-Kuju Wakayama Shizuoka National Park Chiba Yoshino-Kumano Fuji-Hakone-Izu 21 National Park 16 National Park Kirishima-Kinkowan 20 National Park29 Miyazaki 25 Ise-Shima Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park Amamigunto National Park National Park Kagoshima 31 29 30 Iriomote-Ishigaki Yakushima (Island) Yambaru National Park National Park 32 34 National Park Keramashoto Okinawa National Park 33 Akan-Mashu National Park Tokyo Hokkaido By airplane and Traverse Ancient Forests, Sacred bus: about 3 hours from Haneda Int'l Airport Lakes and Snow-Clad Volcanoes Pacific Ocean EXPLORE JAPAN’S PUREST WATERS Take to tranquil shores on horseback or glide through them on a canoe tour. The area offers a variety of pure and transparent waters to enjoy, as well as a number of ways to enjoy them. Why not explore the banks of Lake Kussharo on horseback or canoe across the lake and down its rivers, taking in the aquatic life, whatever the season. enture far from the beaten path into where Japanese deer roam, and take time to the deepest reaches of Hokkaido and relax in the onsen hot springs that flow freely discover a mysterious landscape full around the caldera lake of Kussharo. In the long of local legends, untamed nature and snow season even Lake Akan succumbs to ice and Vvast volcanic lakes. Still home to settlements can be traversed on foot, while the rest of the of indigenous Ainu people, the national park landscape is transformed into a quintessentially offers a voyage of cultural discovery like no Japanese winter wonderland, punctuated only by other. Travel between the park’s namesake lakes cosy wooden buildings and the onsen waters that of Akan and Mashu, exploring primeval forests bubble up from beneath. AWE-INSPIRING VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES Bridging the diverse natural phenomena of the national park is the area’s active volcanoes, many of which are revered in local culture. From the dramatic yellow of Mount Iō’s sulphurous vents and the vast caldera lake of Akan, whose tranquil blue waters are home to the soft green forms of the iconic marimo moss balls, to the numerous onsen towns offering relaxation, the active hand of nature is always tangible in the park. SNOWSHOEING ACROSS FROSTY DIVE DEEP INTO AINU CULTURE FRONTIERS Discover the Ainu Kotan village settlement Join the cranes that swoop overhead in of craftspeople, the largest gathering of the exploring to your heart's content sweeping indigenous people of Hokkaido. Experience planes framed by craggy peaks and deep forests authentic Ainu culture in the Ainu community rich in local customs. Snowshoeing is available within Akan-Mashu National Park through to make sure that no avenue is off reach, and performing arts, cuisine and crafts. See the experienced guides are on hand to tell stories link between the nature of the area and the HOKKAIDO À LA CARTE about the nature that envelops you. quintessential culture that it has created. Feast on contemporary Hokkaido cuisine cultivated within the national park. From wild deer TOURISM INFORMATION that roam the virgin forests to the flourishing ■ Akankohan Eco-museum Center ■ Kawayu Eco-museum Center dairy industry, there is more to Hokkaido cuisine Tel: 0154-67-4100 Tel: 015-483-4100 than meets the eye. Visitors can expect a http://business4.plala.or.jp/akan-eco/index.html http://www.kawayu-eco-museum.com/ gastronomic feast of fish, fruit and cheese: all the result of the national park’s fertile climate. Visited in Dec and Jan Towada-Hachimantai National Park Aomori Tokyo Akita By Shinkansen: Sanctuary in Healing Onsen Iwate about 2h 15min from Tokyo Stn. to Morioka Stn. Morioka and Rustic Hospitality Stn. EXPLORE SNOWY LANDSCAPES Year-round guided and independent hiking offers spectacular views of the national park, including mountains, lakes and gorges. The high level of snowfall in the winter allows for snowshoe hiking in truly spellbinding locations. Watch out for Japanese squirrels, Japanese martens and Japanese serows as you ascend snowy peaks dotted with steaming onsen hot spring waters. short bullet train ride from Tokyo but them into vast ephemeral icicles. Yet, even in a world apart, Towada-Hachimantai the remotest reaches of the snowy landscape, National Park presents the intrepid there are onsen hot springs whose rising steam with a land full of contrast. The area breaks the icy spell. The culture, too, born out of Ahas Japan’s highest level of snowfall, which resilience to the tough environment, has great carpets the mountains and dense forests in warmth. Take a trip into the frozen northern pure white and clads trees in thick frost. The reaches of Tohoku and discover