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Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan – You’ll Be Delighted To Visit

Even though Tokyo is a futuristic metropolis filled with lots of sky-scrapers, shopping areas and other large scale developments, the city does have its fair share of green areas that give locals and visitors the opportunity to escape from the bustling city life. There are several noteworthy parks that you can go to for picnics, to take pictures, or to relax. We have listed some of the most beautiful National Parks in Japan.

Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan – You’ll Be Delighted To Visit

Shinjuku Gyoen

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Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is often described as “the Central Park of Tokyo”. The park is located in Tokyo’s busiest district, Shinjuku area, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo. The park consists of three types of Japanese traditional landscape garden with large ponds, lawns, stones, bridges, etc. The park is especially popular for cherry blossoms viewing in spring and autumn leaves viewing in autumn.

Ogasawara National Park

Ogasawara National Park
Fiercely contested during the Second World War, the Bonin Islands as they are sometimes known make up the archipelago of islands that form Ogasawara National Park. Only accessible by boat, the long ferry rides to this remote park are definitely worth it such is the incredible beauty on show.

Approaching the stunning coves and secluded beaches that dot its shores makes for an amazing and refreshing experience after the long journey. Unique in terms of its evolutionary heritage, Ogasawara is sometimes called the ‘Galapagos of the Orient’ and as such it is fascinating to explore.

The turquoise waters surrounding the islands beautifully frame the amazing scenery that contains many species of fauna, flora and mammal that are endemic to this unique environment. The stunning rock arch at Minamijima is just one of the highlights of the national park.

Aso-Kuju National Parkshowmap

Aso-Kuju National Park

Named after Mount Aso and the Kuju Mountains, this national park’s beautiful landscapes are dominated by their lofty peaks that rise dramatically from the flatlands surrounding them. Mount Aso, an active volcano, has a lovely caldera that visitors can stroll around and nearby are a number of hot springs that are delightful to bathe in.

The volcanic landscape is barren and scarred from lava flows and all the more impressive for it. On the plains beneath the Kuju Mountains are the Kuju Flower Gardens which explode with color and life. Relaxing and refreshing to visit; the gardens’ stunning backdrop of mountains makes it all the more lovely to behold.

Yoshino-Kumano National Parkshowmap

Yoshino-Kumano National Park in Japan
Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan – You’ll Be Delighted To Visit

The unique appearance of the rock formations that rear impressively along the coastline of this national park are just one of the stunning natural wonders that you can find in Yoshino-Kumano.

Jutting out into the sea, these intriguing geological marvels are fascinating to behold as are the varying landscapes that mix and merge to create a beautiful patchwork of incredible scenes. Peaceful rivers wind their way through steep ravines that turn into mountains before your eyes, forests coat the hills and valleys and in between all this shrines and waterfalls can be found.

The sacred Mount Omine that is covered in lush fauna and flora and shrouded in mist is delightful to visit as is Yoshino Mountain which offers up beautiful panoramas of the surrounding area from its summit. Old cobbled paths weave their way through the mysterious forests and following these trails makes for a memorable experience.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan - You’ll Be Delighted To Visit
Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan – You’ll Be Delighted To Visit

Located only a ten minutes’ walk from Shinjuku station, Shinjuku Gyoen is a large garden of 58.3 hectares with wide lawns, trees and ponds. It was originally a residence of the Naito family of feudal lords, associated with the Takato domain in the Shinano province during the Edo period (1603–1868). Presently, it serves as a National Garden under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment. The park boasts three distinctive styles: a French formal and English landscape to the north, and a Japanese traditional landscape to the south. Visit from Tuesdays to Sundays between 9am to 4pm for a small admission fee.

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park -Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan - You’ll Be Delighted To Visit
Most Beautiful National Parks in Japan – You’ll Be Delighted To Visit
The Yoyogi Park is a large Western-style park situated a five minutes’ walk from the Harajuku Station and the Meiji Shrine. Yoyogi Park sits on the site from where the first successful powered aircraft flight in Japan took place on December 19, 1910 led by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa. Presently, it is one of the locals’ favorite parks, where you will see many rock music fans, jugglers, comedians and hobby groups. For no charge, you get to witness its famous autumn leaves at the right time of year, especially the golden leaves of the many ginko trees.