1. Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park

Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park is a national park on the Rishiri Island, Rebun Island, and a coastal area from Wakkanai to Horonobe at the north-western tip of Hokkaidō, Japan. The park is criss crossed with hiking trails taking you through beautiful alpline scenery. From rugged mountains scenery stretching to the coastline below with its ocean views.

2. Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park covers most of the Shiretoko Peninsula at the northeastern tip of the island of Hokkaidō, Japan. The word "Shiretoko" is derived from an Ainu word "sir etok", meaning "the place where the earth protrudes". It's so close to Russia that in winter chunks of ice flow from the River Amur in Russia down into Shiretoko National Park. There is plenty of wildlife to be seen like spotted seals and Sika deer. Offshore activities, include whale watching and drift ice cruises.

3. Akan-Mashu National Park

Akan Mashu National Park is a national park located on the island of Hokkaidō. Along with Daisetsuzan National Park, these are the two oldest national parks in Hokkaidō. The park is an area of volcanic craters and forests, covering 90,481 hectares.

The foundation for Akan-mashu National Park comprises three caldera landforms --the Akan Caldera, Kussharo Caldera, and Mashu Caldera --which were formed by the volcanic activity of the Chishima Volcanic Zone. With several volcano-lake pairs in close proximity. Lake Akan, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo

4. Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Towada-Hachimantai National Park is a national park comprising two separate areas of Aomori, Iwate, and Akita Prefectures. The Towada-Hakkōda area encompasses Lake Towada, Mount Hakkōda, and most of the Oirase River valley. Best time to visit is in the autumn when the forest leaves change colour.

The park is also home to the deep blue Lake Towada, which is one of the country’s biggest caldera (volcanic crater) lakes.

5. Sanriku Fukko National Park

Sanriku Fukko National Park, also known as Sanriku Reconstrucion National Park, is a 220 km long national park on the east coast of the Tohoku region. It spans three prefectures, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi. Previously, it was known as Rikuchu Kaigan National Park.

The park houses a long range of magnificent sea cliffs. Highlights include:

• Unosudangai Cliff, rising 200-meters high and overlooking the sea
• Jodogahama, a rocky group of islands that jut ominously out of reach from the beach
• Tanesashi Coast, with picturesque grassy meadows and rocky beaches

6. Nikko National Park

The Nikko National Park is one of the parks that designated as the first National Parks in Japan. The park has superb views, from beautiful and unspoiled nature. Mt. Nikko Shirane is the highest mountain in the area north of Kanto. The park is famous for Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple.

Dotted with steaming onsen baths and walking trails, one of the best ways to enjoy the park’s main sights is to hop aboard a local boat ride that runs along Kinugawa River. It's a great park for hiking, with walking trails crossing steaming onsen baths.

One of the best ways to enjoy the park’s main sights is to hop aboard a local boat ride that runs along Kinugawa River.

7. Ogasawara National Park

Ogasawara National Park is a national park in the Ogasawara Islands, located approximately one thousand kilometres to the south of Tokyo, Japan. The park was established in 1972 within the municipality of Ogasawara, itself part of Tokyo.

Ogasawara National Park was registered as a World Heritage site in June 2011. It's a tropical paradise with unique landscapes. The marine life includes humpback whales and dolphins, green turtles, coral reefs, and tropical fish . The park is also known for its ecotourism with great options for diving, snorkeling and swimming with dolphines.

8. Joshin’etsukogen National Park

Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park is a national park in the Chūbu region of the main island of Honshū, formed around several active and dormant volcanoes. It spans the mountainous areas of Gunma, Nagano, and Niigata prefectures. The name refers to the two mountain ranges that make up the park. Japanese Macaque (aka the snow monkey) are to be seen amid the hot springs. The park also has six ski resorts, onsen baths and endless hiking trails along the Shiga Kogen (highland).

9. Ise-Shima National Park

Ise-Shima National Park is a national park in Mie Prefecture. It is characterized by its ria coast and islands scattered around a number of bays. The interior is hilly with Mount Asama-ga-take

Ise-Shima National Park is a coastal park which encompasses the Shima Peninsula and surrounding lands and waters.

10. Yoshino-Kumano National Park

Yoshino-Kumano National Park is a national park comprising several non-contiguous areas of Mie, Nara, and Wakayama Prefectures

The region stretches from north to south in the center of the peninsula. A portion of the area is designated a World Heritage site, named the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. Part of the northern area is designated as a UNESCO Eco Park aimed at the harmonization of preserving the ecosystems and ensuring sustainability.

Great location for cherry blossom. The park is also home to a pilgrimage trail that includes the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano.

11. Setonaikai National Park

Setonaikai National Park is a national park comprising areas of Japan's Inland Sea and of ten bordering prefectures. Designated a national park in 1934, it has since been expanded several times. It contains about 3,000 islands, known as the Setouchi Islands, including the well-known Itsukushima.

Setonaikai National Park is home to one of Japan's most famous cycling routes: the Shimanami Kaido highway. This connects the islands of the Seto Inland Sea with the islands on either side and is a safe, scenic route for all levels. You can also explore rapids by boat, and deep dive into the area's history, such as the Murakami pirates.

12. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is the southernmost national park in Japan, in its southernmost prefecture, and preserves the only tropical rainforest in the country. In addition to large mangrove communities at the mouths of broad rivers, the islands are ringed by living coral reefs. The Park consists of land distributed over several constituent islands, certain stretches of open water, and adjacent coastal areas, with white sand beaches.

13. Unzen-Amakusa National Park

The Unzen area is a mountainous area of the Shimabara Peninsula centered on Mt. Unzen, consisting of over 20 mountains. The Amakusa area is an archipelago with 120 islands and with great walks along sea cliffs, as well as coral in the sea.

Mt. Unzen is an active volcano that still rumbles into action every few years, often with fatal results. Thanks to its volcanic landscape, the area is home to a number of onsen baths including Unzen Onsen’s Unzen Jigoku (also known as Unzen Hells).

The area also has a dark history. It’s said that in the 17th century persecuted Christians would be thrown into the bubbling volcanic waters as punishment for their faith.