Natural Sceneries

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.

photo of natural types of scenery in Japan

Natural Sceneries in Japan

Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

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.