Nature and the outdoors

Japan's natural world is beautiful and fascinating. With a climate that varies from cold Hokkaido in the north, to tropical Okinawa in the south, Japan features wild landscapes, mountains, beaches, jungles and volcanoes that are often easily accessible by hiking and camping.

If you're a lover of nature and the outdoors, then visiting Japan will be a wonderful experience. The landscape, plants, animals and natural sights are so varied and so different to those in the west that Japan provides a real experience of something utterly unique.

If you've ever wanted to climb a volcano, trek through jungles or go hiking in dramatic snow-clad mountain landscapes then Japan offers all these adventures.

Visit Kamikochi and go hiking in the Japanese mountains

Visit Kamikochi and go hiking in the Japanese mountains

In the mountains of Japan's Honshū island you can go hiking or mountain climbing and stay in hotels, lodges, mountain huts or campsites.

Countryside, Mountains, Trains, Hiking

Visit the seaside town of Ibusuki for sea views, beaches and hot sand baths

Visit the seaside town of Ibusuki for sea views, beaches and hot sand baths

This lovely little seaside town is a great place to spend a night while exploring southern Kyushu, or as a day trip from Kagoshima

Kyushu, seaside, onsen, spa, sand baths

See Kamakura on a day trip from Tokyo and visit rural shrines and temples

See Kamakura on a day trip from Tokyo and visit rural shrines and temples

Get out of Tokyo and take in some fresh air on a trip out to Kamakura where you can see temples and a giant bronze Buddha

History, Countryside, Trains, Walks

Arashiyama bamboo forest, Kyoto

Arashiyama bamboo forest, Kyoto

The touristy but fascinating rural town of Arashiyama near Kyoto has a stunning bamboo forest and other attractions

Kyoto, Arashiyama bamboo forest, walks, temples

Kagoshima Flower park, Kyushu

Kagoshima Flower park, Kyushu

Visit this subtropical botanical park at the southern tip of Japan

Kyushu, flowers, botanical gardens

Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kōtoku-in

Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kōtoku-in

Enjoy one of Japan's Buddhist national treasures in rural Kamakura, only an hour from Tokyo and the ideal day trip

Buddhism, Tokyo, nature, hiking, Giant Buddha

Where's the best place in Japan to see cherry blossom?

Where's the best place in Japan to see cherry blossom?

Sakura, or cherry blossom, is one of Japan's natural wonders. If you're visiting Japan in spring, you must find time to see these indulgent bright pink flowers which illuminate the parks and gardens of Japan

Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nature, Cherry Blossom

Climb a volcano in Japan! Hike up Kaimondake in Kyushu

Climb a volcano in Japan! Hike up Kaimondake in Kyushu

Japan is famous for volcanos, Mount Fuji being the most recognised, but you can hike up smaller volcanoes on some amazing hikes all around Japan.

Kyushu, volcano, hikes