Japan has many natural types of scenery that have formed over hundreds of years. Some of
these sceneries appear when certain conditions are met. For example the sea of clouds that can
be seen from the Unkai Terrace in Tomamu form when certain weather conditions are met.
Other sites are season specific like the Zao Snow Monsters that appearing during the winter
time. The snow monsters are formed utilizing the trees on the mountain, which gives them the
strange shapes. Some of these places are protected as national parks and world heritage sites.
There are natural sceneries that can be seen throughout the year without fail.
Amanohashidate Sandbar is three kilometers long and is lined with about 8000 pine trees. The
view from the mountains of the sandbar is listed as one of the three scenic views of Japan along
with Matsushima Bay. As much as there are forests covering the country there is a place where
the Tottori Sand Dunes are located. It is the largest sand dunes in Japan and stretches across 16
kilometers. Off the coast of Shikoku in the Naruto strait you can find the Naruto Whirlpools.
These whirlpools can be seen from the Onaruto Bridge or by a sightseeing cruise that goes right
next to them.
Hokkaido | Kushiro
Kushiro Marshlands
The Kushiro Marshland is the largest wetland in Japan and is one of the breeding grounds for the Japanese red crowned crane.
Hokkaido | Abashiri
Drift ice
Starts appearing around January, but the best time to see it is in February when it is the coldest.
Hokkaido | Shiretoko
Shiretoko Nature Cruise
Goes around the Shiretoko Peninsula; allows visitors to see the beautiful scenery of the land.
Hokkaido | Biei
Blue Pond
The Blue Pond is located in the center of Hokkaido near Biei right outside the Shirogane Onsen.
Hokkaido | Abashiri
Ice Breaker Cruise
Ice Breaker Cruise is one of the best and easiest ways to see the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido.
Hokkaido | Tomamu
Unkai Terrace
Located in Tomamu, originally only known by the staff that did early morning maintenance in the summer.
Tohoku | Aomori | Towada
Oirase Mountain Stream
The Oirase Mountain Stream is the only outflow of water for Lake Towada and is one of the best places to see autumn colors.
Tohoku | Yamagata | Zao
Zao Snow Monsters
Zao Snow Monsters are a winter phenomenon that is a result of Fir trees being covered with snow and ice.
Tohoku | Fukushima | Urabandai
Goshikinuma
Goshikinuma is a collection of five lakes that vary in color depending on the season, angle, and time.
Tohoku | Miyagi | Matsushima
Matsushima Bay
Matsushima Bay is one of the most scenic places in Japan and has 260 islands covered with pine trees.
Chubu | Gifu | Shirakawa-go
The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are best known for their Gassho style houses.
Chubu | Toyama
Kurobe Gorge
Kurobe Gorge is a forested ravine located in the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps and has the steepest gorges in Japan.
Chubu | Fukui
Mikata Five Lakes
The Mikata Five Lakes have different concentration levels of salt and is also known as the “Five Colored Lakes.”
Chubu | Gifu | Okuhida
Shin-Hotaka Ropeway
The Shin Hotaka Ropeway has one of the largest elevation gains and features double decker gondola cars.
Chugoku | Yamaguchi
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and has been worshipped as a sacred mountain. The perfect cone shape of the mountain is iconic of Japan.
Kansai | Hyogo | Asago
Takeda Castle Ruin
Takeda Castle Ruins are situated close to a quarter mile above sea level and takes a little bit of a hike to reach.
Kansai | Kyoto
Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is a sand bar on the Miyazu Bay and is one of the three scenic views of Japan.
Chugoku | Tottori | Tottori City
Tottori Sand Dunes
The Tottori Sand Dunes are located in the city of Tottori and spans over 16 kilometers along the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Chugoku | Hiroshima | Onomichi
Shimanami Kaido
A famous toll road connecting Honshu Island to Shikoku Island from Hiroshima Prefecture to Ehime Prefecture of Japan
Chugoku | Hiroshima
Miyajima Island
Miyajima Island is located one hour away from Hiroshima by ferry. It is mostly known for the torii gate that gives the illusion of floating on the water during high tide.
Shikoku | Tokushima | Naruto
Naruto Whirlpools
The signature natural occurrence located at Naruto city located in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku Island.
Kyushu | Nagasaki | Sasebo
Kujukushima Islands
A group of 208 small islands ranging in the west coast of Nagasaki Prefecture forms the Kujikushima Islands.
Kyushu | Nagasaki | Nagasaki
Mount Inasa
One of the top three locations providing the best night views of Japan.
Kyushu | Miyazaki | Takachiho
Takachiho Gorge
A naturally formed scenic area located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.
Kyushu | Oita | Beppu
Beppu Hells
Iconic hot springs designated as national beauty sights located in Oita Prefecture, Japan.