Japan And Her Parks Of Nature

One of the most beautiful East Asian countries in the world is Japan, with her numerous attractions and natural sights that includes volcanic mountains, parks, gardens, lakes and scenic islands. They provide a perfect balance of urban charm and seductive nature, and the locations that illustrate this the best way are her parks. 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.

Many first time visitors to Japan will make it a point to travel to at least one of the numerous national parks within 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 avenue than taking trips to the gorgeous Japanese gardens and parks that have Eastern and Western flavors all mixed together?

There are a total of 29 national parks in Japan which occupy more than five per cent of the total land area in 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. Some of the most popular parks are the Nikko, Shiretoko and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Parks.

Nikko National Park is guarded by the small city of Nikko, which houses a small population. However, there are countless visitors who pay the area a visit because of their desire to experience its beautiful surroundings. 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 is often considered the finest icon of nature Japan. However, the area in which it is found has an understated elegance of its own - the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The park is even greater in area when compared to the park in Nikko, and it is no wonder considering Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes make up part of it. The region even has tiny islets within it, which is why many feel that it is unofficially the largest 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 also diverse wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere in Japan, while the flora and fauna existing within Shiretoko had prompted UNESCO to mark the area as a World Heritage Site, a great achievement for a humble site in a modern 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.