National Parks in Japan: All 35, Ranked by How Easy They Are to Reach (2026)

Japan has 35 national parks, not 34: Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi in Hokkaido became the 35th on 25 June 2024. The easiest national parks in Japan to reach are Fuji-Hakone-Izu, Nikko and Chichibu-Tama-Kai, all under two hours from central Tokyo by train, while Ogasawara is a 24-hour ferry ride away.

Below is every park on the Ministry of the Environment’s official list, ranked by how easy it is to reach by public transport, with the gateway city, the official travel time, the best time to go and one highlight. After the table come short guides to the eight easiest. Facts were checked on 23 October 2026.

How many national parks are there in Japan?

Thirty-five. Many English guides still say 34 because they predate June 2024, when the Ministry of the Environment designated Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park, the first new park since Amamigunto in March 2017 (ministry press release).

The new park runs about 140 km along the Hidaka Mountains to Cape Erimo, and the ministry calls it the largest national park in Japan by land area. The national parks site calls Setonaikai “Japan’s biggest”, because it takes in a large stretch of the Seto Inland Sea.

National parks in Japan are not fenced wilderness. The official FAQ says the land is a mix of private, prefectural and local-government land, often with towns inside, and there are “no entrance fees, opening hours or closing hours” (national parks FAQ).

How did we rank Japan’s national parks?

We ranked each park by how quickly a visitor without a car can get from the nearest big hub (Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Kagoshima or Naha) to a headline sight. We used the travel times on each park’s page on the official national parks site, run by JNTO with content from the Ministry of the Environment, and its “How to Get There” pages.

Times from Tokyo include flights where that’s the normal route, so they are the official ranges, not door-to-door promises. Parks that need a rental car or a long ferry drop down the list even when the flight is short. “Good time to go” is our suggestion.

All 35 national parks in Japan, ranked by ease of access

Rank	Park	Region	Gateway	Typical travel time (official)	Good time to go	Highlight
1	Fuji-Hakone-Izu	Kanto, Tokai	Shinjuku (Hakone-Yumoto, Kawaguchiko), Atami	From Tokyo 2–5 h; Hakone-Yumoto 1 h 20 min	Year-round; autumn and winter for clear Fuji views	Mt Fuji, its lakes and the Izu coast
2	Nikko	Kanto, Tohoku	Nikko, Nasu-Shiobara	From Tokyo 1.5–2 h	May–November	Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji
3	Chichibu-Tama-Kai	Kanto	Mitake, Chichibu, Kofu	From Tokyo 2–3 h	April–November	Mountain gorges and hikes near Tokyo
4	Joshin’etsukogen	Chubu	Nagano, Karuizawa	Nagano 80–100 min by shinkansen	Summer hiking; winter snow	Jigokudani bathing monkeys
5	Setonaikai	Chugoku, Shikoku, Kansai, Kyushu	Hiroshima, Okayama, Onomichi	From Hiroshima 40 min–1 h	Spring and autumn	Miyajima and the Shimanami Kaido
6	Kirishima-Kinkowan	Kyushu	Kagoshima	From Kagoshima Station 0.5–2 h; from Tokyo 2–4 h	October–May	Sakurajima volcano
7	Shikotsu-Toya	Hokkaido	New Chitose Airport, Sapporo	From Sapporo 1–2 h; from Tokyo 2.5–4 h	June–October; winter onsen	Caldera lakes and Noboribetsu
8	Ise-Shima	Kansai, Tokai	Iseshi, Toba	From Osaka under 2 h; from Tokyo 3–4 h	Year-round	Ama divers and Ago Bay
9	Myoko-Togakushi renzan	Chubu	Nagano	From Nagano 1 h	Summer hiking; winter skiing	Togakushi and the Itoigawa Geopark
10	Bandai-Asahi	Tohoku	Fukushima, Koriyama, Yamagata	From Yamagata 1 h; from Tokyo 2–5 h	May–November	Goshikinuma ponds and Dewa Sanzan
11	Sanriku Fukko	Tohoku	Hachinohe, Morioka, Sendai	From Hachinohe under 1 h; from Tokyo 2–4 h	Summer	Coastal trails and tsunami recovery
12	Kushiroshitsugen	Hokkaido	Kushiro	Haneda–Kushiro flight about 1 h 30 min, then bus	Winter for cranes; summer for canoeing	Japan’s largest marshland
13	Aso-Kuju	Kyushu	Kumamoto, Beppu	From Beppu 1–3.5 h; from Tokyo 2.5–5 h	Spring to autumn	Aso Caldera
14	Unzen-Amakusa	Kyushu	Nagasaki	From Nagasaki 1.5–3 h; from Tokyo 3–4 h	Spring and autumn	Mt Unzen and the Amakusa islands
15	Saikai	Kyushu	Sasebo, Nagasaki	From Nagasaki 1–3 h; from Tokyo 3–5 h	Spring to autumn	400-plus islands and old churches
16	Daisen-Oki	Chugoku	Yonago	From Osaka 1–6 h; from Tokyo 3–7 h	Summer and autumn	Mt Daisen and the Oki Islands
17	San’inkaigan	Kansai, Chugoku	Tottori, Kinosaki	From Osaka 3–4 h; from Tokyo 5–6 h	Spring to autumn	Tottori Sand Dunes
18	Chubusangaku	Chubu	Matsumoto, Toyama	From Tokyo 3–5 h	Late April–mid-November	3,000 m peaks of the Northern Alps
19	Minami Alps	Chubu	Kofu	From Tokyo 3–4 h	July–September	Japan’s southernmost glacier landforms
20	Towada-Hachimantai	Tohoku	Aomori, Hachinohe, Morioka	From Tokyo 3–5 h	Summer and October	Lake Towada by canoe
21	Akan-Mashu	Hokkaido	Kushiro	From Tokyo 2 h (flight), then car or bus	Summer; winter for snow	Crater lakes and Ainu culture
22	Yoshino-Kumano	Kansai	Nara, Kii-Tanabe	From Nara 1.5–4 h; from Tokyo 4–6 h	Spring and autumn	Kumano Kodo pilgrimage
23	Keramashoto	Okinawa	Naha (Tomari Port)	From Tokyo 4–5.5 h	Spring to autumn; whales in winter	Reefs and white-sand beaches
24	Hakusan	Chubu	Kanazawa	From Tokyo or Osaka 4–5 h	July–October	Alpine flower fields
25	Oze	Kanto, Tohoku	Numata, Nikko	From Tokyo 4–5 h; from Nikko 1–3 h	Summer flowers; autumn leaves	Ozegahara Marsh
26	Daisetsuzan	Hokkaido	Asahikawa	From Asahikawa 1.5–2 h; from Tokyo 3 h	July–September	Mt Tomuraushi and alpine plants
27	Yakushima	Kyushu	Kagoshima	From Kagoshima 1–4 h; from Tokyo 3 h	March–November	Cedars over 1,000 years old
28	Ashizuri-Uwakai	Shikoku	Nakamura (Shimanto)	From Nakamura 1–1.5 h; from Tokyo 4.5–6 h	Spring to autumn	Leaf coral by glass-bottom boat
29	Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi	Hokkaido	Obihiro, Sapporo	From Sapporo 3–5 h; from Tokyo 2–6 h	Summer	Hidaka range and Cape Erimo
30	Shiretoko	Hokkaido	Utoro, Rausu	From Tokyo 3 h (flight); from Sapporo 4–8 h	June–September; drift ice in winter	Brown bears and orcas
31	Iriomote-Ishigaki	Okinawa	Ishigaki	From Tokyo or Osaka 3–4 h; from Naha 1 h	Year-round	Mangroves and the Iriomote cat
32	Amamigunto	Kyushu	Amami Oshima	From Kagoshima or Naha 1 h by plane	Year-round	Kinsakubaru forest
33	Yambaru	Okinawa	Naha, Nago	Naha Airport to Nago 1 h 45 min by bus, then 55 min to Hentona	Year-round	Subtropical forest and Hiji Falls
34	Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu	Hokkaido	Wakkanai	From Tokyo about 4 h (flight, bus, ferry)	June–August	Island peaks and wildflowers
35	Ogasawara	Kanto (Tokyo)	Takeshiba, Tokyo	From Tokyo 24 h by ship	Year-round	Endemic species and whales

Source: travel times from each park’s page on the official national parks site. For autumn colour in several of these parks, see our best fall foliage spots.

Do you need a permit or ticket for national parks in Japan?

No general permit or entry ticket is needed, though individual attractions inside parks, such as ropeways, boats and some climbing routes, charge their own fees. Wild camping is generally not allowed; use designated campgrounds, which in the north and at altitude mostly open only from May or June to October (Ministry of the Environment).

Bears live in many parks. Rangers advise making noise, not running, and backing away slowly if you meet one; our hiking near Tokyo guide has the full safety list and the trails.

1. Fuji-Hakone-Izu: the easiest national park in Japan

Japan’s most-visited national park covers Mt Fuji and its lakes, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula and the Izu Islands. Odakyu’s Romancecar runs from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto in about 1 hour 20 minutes, and highway buses reach Kawaguchiko in about 2 hours 20 minutes (official access page).

For Izu, the Tokaido Shinkansen reaches Atami or Mishima in 50–60 minutes. Tokai Kisen ferries sail from Takeshiba in Tokyo to islands including Niijima and Shikinejima. Our one-night Hakone itinerary covers the classic loop.

2. Nikko National Park

Nikko mixes the World Heritage shrines around Toshogu with Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and the Senjogahara marsh, a Ramsar wetland (park page). From Tokyo Station, the Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya plus the JR Nikko Line takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Tobu’s SPACIA limited express from Asakusa takes about two hours and all seats are reserved; JR and Tobu also run through trains from Shinjuku. A bus climbs to Chuzenjiko Onsen in about 50 minutes (official access page). The Nasu side is 1 hour 15 minutes from Tokyo to Nasu-Shiobara by shinkansen. Timing a trip for the colours? See Nikko autumn leaves 2026.

3. Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park

This is Tokyo’s back garden: forested ranges across Tokyo, Saitama, Yamanashi and Nagano. For Mt Mitake, take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Ome (about 75 minutes), the Ome Line to Mitake (about 20 minutes) and a 10-minute bus to the cable car (official access page).

Shosenkyo Gorge is about 90 minutes to Kofu on the Chuo Line, then a bus. Mitsumine Shrine is about 100 minutes from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu by limited express, then a 75-minute bus. Trail details are in our hiking guide, so we won’t repeat them here.

4. Joshin’etsukogen National Park

Volcanoes, highland marshes and ski slopes straddling Nagano, Niigata and Gunma. The Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Nagano in 80–100 minutes and also stops at Karuizawa, which sits next to the park. From Nagano, about ten buses a day go to Jigokudani Monkey Park in about 40 minutes, and buses reach Shiga Kogen in about 70 minutes (official access page).

Kusatsu Onsen is about 2 hours 30 minutes from Ueno to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi by limited express, then a JR bus.

5. Setonaikai National Park

The Seto Inland Sea park is spread across hundreds of islands and many prefectures, so you visit pieces of it. For Miyajima, take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi (about 30 minutes) and a 10-minute ferry (official access page).

The Shimanami Kaido, a roughly 70 km cycling route over six bridges, starts at Onomichi, which has bike rental. Naoshima is about an hour from Okayama to Uno by train, then 20 minutes by ferry. Our Setouchi art islands guide covers the islands in winter.

6. Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park

Two halves: the Kirishima volcano range, and Kinko Bay around Kagoshima with the active Sakurajima and the Ibusuki sand baths. Sakurajima is one of the easiest active volcanoes in Japan to reach: walk about 10 minutes from Kagoshima Station to the port and take the 15-minute ferry (official access page).

For Kirishima, a Kagoshima Kotsu bus runs from Kagoshima Airport to Kirishima Onsen in about 35 minutes. Buses within the park are infrequent, so the official page suggests renting a car.

7. Shikotsu-Toya National Park

Caldera lakes, active volcanoes and the onsen town of Noboribetsu, close to Sapporo. Lake Shikotsu is about 55 minutes from New Chitose Airport by Hokkaido Chuo Bus; there is no direct service from Sapporo Station (official access page).

The Hokuto limited express reaches Noboribetsu from Sapporo in about 1 hour 15 minutes, and trains stop at Toya Station, for Lake Toya, in about 1 hour 40 minutes. There is no public transport between Shikotsu and Toya, so use a car or a tour to see both.

8. Ise-Shima National Park

Ise-Shima wraps the Ise Grand Shrine area, Toba and the island-studded Ago Bay, where ama divers still work. Kintetsu limited expresses reach Iseshi from Osaka in under two hours. From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (about 100 minutes) and change to Kintetsu or JR (official access page).

From Iseshi it is about 10 minutes to Toba on the JR Sangu Line and 45 minutes to Kashikojima on the Kintetsu Shima Line. The park page highlights ama diver tours and sea kayaking among Ago Bay’s islands (park page).

Which remote national parks in Japan are worth the effort?

Yakushima, Shiretoko, Ogasawara and Iriomote-Ishigaki are hard to reach, but each has something no other park has. Yakushima has cedars over 1,000 years old; Shiretoko has brown bears, orcas and winter drift ice; Iriomote has mangroves and the endemic Iriomote cat.

Ogasawara is the extreme: the official site gives 24 hours from Tokyo, by ship, with whales year-round. Give these parks at least three nights. For Saikai’s islands and churches, see our Gunkanjima and Goto Islands guide.

National parks in Japan FAQ

Sources and how we checked

We checked the facts in this guide to national parks in Japan on 23 October 2026 against the Ministry of the Environment’s English park list and press release, and the official national parks site (content from the Ministry of the Environment, produced by JNTO), including each park’s page and its “How to Get There” page. Times are the official ranges; check timetables before you travel.