Theme guide
Nature
From snowy Hokkaido in the north to subtropical Okinawa in the south, Japan's mountains, lakes, gorges and islands change a lot from region to region.
- Places to visit
- 279
- Protected site
- 79
Japan stretches from snowy Hokkaido to subtropical Okinawa, so the same month can mean snow in one place and beach weather in another. Check the weather for the prefecture before you pack.
Many of the best views are in national parks, which protect mountains, coasts and islands across the country.
Good to know
- Mountain weather changes fast. Check the forecast and start hikes early.
- Follow local signs about wildlife, including bear warnings in some mountain areas.
- Autumn leaves turn first in Hokkaido and in the mountains, then move south and downhill over several weeks.
Where to find the most
Places to start with
Up to three places per prefecture, nationally protected sites first.
Region
140 places match
- HokkaidoProtected siteHarutori Park春採公園A park in Hokkaido, Japan.
- HokkaidoProtected siteHokkaido University Botanical Gardens北海道大学植物園A garden in Hokkaido, Japan.In Chuo Ward, Sapporo
- HokkaidoProtected siteTemiya Cave手宮洞窟A natural sight in Hokkaido, Japan.
- AomoriProtected siteZuiraku-en瑞楽園A garden in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
- AomoriHirosaki Park弘前公園A park in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
- AomoriHachinohe Park八戸公園A park in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
- IwateTakata Matsubara Sports Park高田松原運動公園A park in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
- IwateTenshochi Park北上市立公園展勝地A park in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
- IwateAkkado安家洞A place to visit in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
- MiyagiIshinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Memorial Park石巻南浜津波復興祈念公園A park in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
- MiyagiNanakita Park七北田公園A park in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
- MiyagiSendai Yagiyama Zoological Park仙台市八木山動物公園A park in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
- AkitaAkasaka General Park赤坂総合公園A park in Akita Prefecture, Japan.
- AkitaHeian no Kaze Wataru Park平安の風わたる公園A park in Akita Prefecture, Japan.
- AkitaKarinosato Yamamoto Park雁の里山本公園A park in Akita Prefecture, Japan.
- YamagataProtected siteHodashi no Keyaki文下のケヤキA notable old tree in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.In Tsuruoka
- YamagataJiji Sugi Cedar of Mount Haguro羽黒山の爺スギA notable old tree in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.In Tsuruoka
- YamagataYamagata Prefectural General Sports Park山形県総合運動公園A park in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
- FukushimaProtected siteSukagawa Peony Garden須賀川牡丹園A garden in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
- FukushimaIwaki Parkいわき公園A park in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.In Iwaki
- FukushimaMisaki Park三崎公園A park in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.In Iwaki
- IbarakiProtected siteJiji Sugi of Arakawa安良川の爺スギA notable old tree in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
- IbarakiSakura no Mori Parkさくらの杜公園A flower-viewing spot in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
- IbarakiExpo '85 Memorial Park科学万博記念公園A park in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.In Tsukuba
Questions travellers ask
When is the best season for nature in Japan?
It depends on what you want to see: spring flowers, green summer mountains, autumn leaves or winter snow. Autumn colour starts in the north and in the mountains first.
Other themes
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.