Nature

Many visitors to Japan stick to the bustling urban corridors of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, leaving with the mistaken impression that Japan is one giant, crowded metropolis. In reality, over two-thirds of the country is covered in forested mountains and hills, while residential and industrial areas account for less than ten percent of the land.

Stretching nearly 3,000 kilometers from north to south, the Japanese archipelago offers an incredible variety of natural scenery—from drift ice off Hokkaido's coast to mangrove jungles in Okinawa. In between, you'll find majestic volcanoes, breathtaking coastlines, and vast forests inhabited by monkeys, bears, deer, cranes, and other wildlife. The most beautiful areas are protected as national parks and World Heritage Sites. Here is a curated selection of Japan's top natural attractions:

Japan's mountainous interior is largely volcanic, offering excellent hiking and panoramic viewpoints. These heights provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure and scenic vistas.