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 both an urban charm and natural seductiveness, and nothing illustrates this best than the parks in Japan. There are many that are tucked within cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, while others can only be reached when one goes to the countryside or relatively rural areas.

The national parks in Japan are often high on the itineraries of first time visitors to the country. As we all face the pressures of the modern world, it is a simple but pleasurable experience to travel to faraway destinations that allow us to escape from that if only for a moment. There could be nothing better to satisfy that than making a point to visit the Japanese gardens and parks that infuse both Eastern and Western culture?

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. Many have regarded the Shiretoko, Nikko and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Parks as the most popular ones in Japan.

Nikko National Park has the city of Nikko acting as its gates, inhabited by a small but warm 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 undeniably the most recognizable symbol of Japan in many foreigners' eyes. However, the area in which it is found has an understated elegance of its own - the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It has an even larger area relative to Nikko park. This is due to the inclusion of Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes and other locations within 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 haven of nature which has yet to be muddied by man or commercial entities. 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.

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