This scenic spot on the Manazuru Peninsula has been selected as one of the top 50 views in Kanagawa Prefecture. The three enormous formations that constitute the Mitsuishi Rocks rise from the water at the tip of the Manazuru Peninsula. Manazuru Peninsula is said to have been created from a lava dome produced by the Hakone volcano that erupted from the seabed. A roughly 20-meter high cliff extends down its coast and a shore reef reaches about 200 meters from Manazuru Cape, so you can walk across to the rocks at low tide. It is a popular spot for exploring the rocky shore with the superb view stretched out before you.
"A 50-minute drive from Amakusa Airport, this scenic spot on the west coast of Amakusa has been designated as a national scenic spot and a natural monument. The coastal area has a stretch of 20 to 80-meter high cliffs, which together with large and small islands, reefs and caves form a unique landscape. The largest, ""Myonken Domon"" cave mouth, can be easily accessed by small boats, and you can see sea caves and stalactites that cross each other. The scenery at dusk is even more remarkable, and the view from nearby Nishibiratsuki Park and the Kikaigaura Observation Deck has been selected as one of the Japan Sunset Best 100."
"A 50-minute drive from the Wakayanagi Kannari interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. This large wetland area sprawling on Mt. Kurikoma between 669 and 707 meters above sea level is a treasure trove of alpine plants. Sekaiyachi means ""vast wetland."" There are wooden walkways in the area, and from May to September, visitors can encounter Enkianthus campanulatus, Japanese azaleas, hare's-tail cottongrass, and a variety of other alpine plants. The area is particularly famous nationwide for its large patch of Nikko day lilies which color the wetlands orange with their blossoms. The area is also popular in part because of its convenience, being located just a five minute walk from the nearest parking area."
Gunma Pref. Agatsumagunkusatsumachi Kusatsu Shirane National Forest Field
"A 40-minute ride on the JR Bus bound for the Mt. Kusatsu-Shrine volcano leaving from JR Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. This area, situated right next to the ""Sesshogawara"" bus stop, is one of the extinct calderas at the southeastern foot of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane. A part of Joshin'etsu-kogen National Park, the area continuously emits vapors containing poisonous hydrogen sulfide, and a nose-stinging sulfur smell hangs in the air. In conflict with the desolate scenery, the area is the starting point of the Kusatsu-Shirane Nature Trail which connects with Kusatsu Onsen and along which walkers can enjoy the sight of patches of beautiful Rhododendrons and azaleas."
Located in the farther in from the Doaiguchi stop on the Tanigawadake aerial tram, this is one of the peaks of the Tanigawadake range. It is one of Japan's three great rock formations, and is a rock climbing haven. The steep rock walls are awesome and overwhelming, and the view is enough to take one's breath away. The gorge can be visited by tram, chair lift, or bus so that one can enjoy a little mountain field trip with even young children. Here one can take in all the bountiful expanse of nature with its colorful foliage in the autumn, and the fresh green against the lingering snow in mid-summer. From November through May the gorge is closed.
This is a scenic spot in the Matsukamiyama National Forest located in Fukaura Town, Nishitsugaru County. Named after the grand canyon, here, one can see the white volcanic tuff rock cliffs exposed from erosion. From here one can see the hiking courses surrounding the Juniko twelve lake area.
These are terraced rice paddy fields in Ishibu, Matsuzaki Town, KamoCounty. Furrowing up the hillsides facing the Suruga Bay at 120 to 250 meters elevation there are approximately 370 parcels of stonework braced paddies. These paddies, formerly abandoned, have been reclaimed incorporating a terrace paddy owner system. Here, one can also experience DIY farming under the direction of professional agriculturalists. This exceptionally scenic area not only provides a view of the terraced paddies and the Suruga Bay. One can even see Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Annual illumination events are also held.
"About 2,500 tons of water bubbles up every day from this pure spring that's been selected as one of Japan's ""Top 100 Famous Water"" by the Environmental Agency. It's an essential water source for the locals for everything from drinking to agricultural uses to raising rainbow trout. The surrounding area has a thatch-roofed water wheel, a gazebo, and a walking path, as well as a parking lot. ""Amenomanai"" is an appellation given to only the very highest grade of water. Not only is Yonago blessed with such springs, but its tap water is so good it's been recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's ""Tasty Water Research Committee."""
"The name ""Wakka"" means ""fresh water"" in Ainu language and the name comes from the phrase ""Wakka-O-I,"" meaning ""a place with fresh water."" It stems from the fact that there was a pond from which fresh water gushes forth near the center of the shoal of Lake Saroma. The road that leads for the shoal is called the Ryugyu Highway and has long been a beloved as a great place to see both the sea and the lake. More than 300 varieties of flowering plants in the area, which is a breeding ground for wild birds. The flowers reach peak bloom between late June and mid July most years."
This vast flower garden encircles the Cape Notsuke Lighthouse on the eastern tip of the Notsuke Peninsula. Many varieties of flowers including beach rose, Kamchatka fritillary, hare's-tail cottongrass, beach pea, and day lily bloom profusely in the garden each year from late May to October. Because there are Japanese crane nesting grounds in the ponds near the flower garden, visitors may even see Japanese cranes flying about in the fall.
This is located across from Hidejima Island, and visitors can watch as seawater propelled by the force of the waves is pushed high into the air. The rising tide can push the water 6 to 15 meters high, and even 30 meters, when the sea is especially rough and a north wind is blowing, making this blowhole the largest in Japan. It has been designated as a National Monument and recognized by Sanriku Geo Park. It can also be viewed as part of an island tour sponsored by Miyako Jodogahama Boat Cruise.
This beech forest is located in Appikogen, Hachimantai City. After being cut down for materials in the early Showa period (1925-1989), it is called a secondary forest because it regenerated over 80 years. There are trekking courses that allow you to stroll through the forest, and it has been selected as one of the top 100 Forested Valleys in Japan.
Akita Yamamoto-gun Fujisato Machi Fujikoto Fujikoto Sawa Kokuyurin
A nature observation forest in the Fujikotosawa National Forest in the Fujikoto region of Fujisato Town, Yamamoto County. It's located in the Shirakami mountain region between Mt. Fujisato-komagadake and Mt. Sangaiyama near the head of the Fujikoto River. The site has a walking trail allowing you to explore the deep nature of the Shirakami Mountains and the old-growth Japanese beech forest with giant trees over 400 years old more easily than if you were mountain climbing.
A quasi-national park covering nearly a third of Oga City's total area. Most of the areas to enjoy nature in the area are included in the park area including various mountains such as Mt. Kanpu, Oga-Sanzan (Mt. Shin-zan, Mt. Hon-zan and Mt. Kenashi-yama), Unosaki Beach which was chosen as one of Japan's top 100 coastlines, and the natural growing area of the camellia bush which is the northernmost place it grows and which has been designated a natural memorial.
A walking path connects Sado’s wondrous Onokame and Futatsukame rocks. This sea cave, situated along the path, was formed via erosion caused by the waves of the Sea of Japan and is filled with countless stone Jizo statues. Visitors to this sacred area can only hear the sound of wind and waves, and some call the seaside path the boundary with the underworld. The cave has been seen as a sacred place since ancient times and is believed to be a gathering place for the spirits of children who passed away at a young age. During the Sai no Kawara Festival, held once a year, Buddhist mantras are intoned and offerings of food are made with the hungry ghosts and spirits of newborns suffering hunger and thirst, with more than 200 faithful and supporters attending.
These rocks are found along the Hiranezaki Coast. Around 80 large and small turtle-shaped pot holes can be seen along a slope of about 500 meters, all of them created and polished by waves. These kinds of pot holes are a common sight along Sado’s coast, but the ones at Hiranezaki are the largest. Fourteen of them are two meters or more in diameter, and some are three meters deep. These pot holes, which are valuable examples of the force of the waves in the Sea of Japan, have been designated a National Monument.
An outdoor research facility which belongs to Shinshu University's Faculty of Education, located a 40-minute drive from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange. All are welcome to enter the garden, and admission is free. Located in a special conservation district in a national park at the northern foot of Mt. Shiga, here visitors come in contact with the natural abundance of the Shiga Highlands and have fun learning about the area and its ecology. There's a 3.5 kilometer long walking path, a rock garden where around 50 varieties of Japanese alpine plants are grown, and a museum with mounted examples of animals living in the park and other exhibits.
A 20-minute drive from the Saku-minami Interchange. A highway close to Uchiyama Valley on National Route 254. A popular tourist destination, here visitors can enjoy a comfortable drive along a nine kilometer stretch of road along which cosmos, the official flower of Saku City, have been planted. The flowers bloom from early to late September. The flowers were first planted by a local senior citizens' club in 1972; today, the scenic road is maintained by local residents. The Saku Kogen Cosmos Festival is held in mid-September and during this time a tea cafe opens up; visitors can also try dying a handkerchief.
The Fukujuso Festival is held from early March to around the time of the spring equinox, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. The first day of the festival, in particular, features various events such as a parade and a photo contest award ceremony, and the stalls are crowded with potted fukujuso plants for sale.
"20 minutes from the Nanki-Shirahama Interchange on the Kisei Expressway via Prefectural Route 34. These fossil wave ripple marks can be seen along the coast from Ezura Beach to Sakata in Shirahama Town. The marks were formed by the action of waves on sand on what was once the sea floor, which then became coated with a clay-like material that later fossilized, preserving them for eternity. The marks are called ""fossive wave"" and believed to have been formed in the Tertiary Period of the Cenozoic Era some 15 million years ago, and today they have been designated a National Natural Monument."
