10 Spectacular Views of Japan Created by Nature that are Too Beautiful to be True

Shirogane Blue Pond "located in Biei-cho, Hokkaido "is an artificial pond created during the disaster prevention construction of Tokachi-dake volcano. However, the pond is so blue and beautiful that it is hard to believe that it was created by human hands. Combined with the dead larch that grows in the pond, it creates a mysterious view.
While the fresh green foliage and autumnal foliage are beautiful, the best time to see Hokkaido's unique scenery is of course winter. The contrast between the white of the snow and the blue of the blue pond is beautiful, and from November to April, the pond is illuminated, so you can enjoy a fantastic view that is different from the daytime.

Address: Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Access: 20 minutes from JR Biei Station by car/Dohoku Bus
Parking: Available
Reference website: https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/ja/sightseeing/shirogane-blue-pond/

"Lake Usori "is a caldera lake formed in the caldera of Mount Osorezan ", one of the three most sacred places in Japan ". It has beautiful emerald green water that is hard to believe that it is a lake in the mountains. The lake's surface reflects the shadows of the lotus leaves, creating a more mystical atmosphere. The water is highly acidic, so there are no living creatures except small fish called ugui, and plumes of smoke rise up from all around the lake, making the scenery seem out of this world. To the northeast of the lake is "the Sanzu River "and the vermilion "drum bridge "connects this side and that side.
There is a 2-km walking path along the lakeside, and beyond that, there is a trekking trail that circles the lake, so you can enjoy the beauty of Lake Uzori to the fullest.

Address: Aza-Shinsori, Oaza-Tanabe, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture
Access: 45 minutes by car/bus from Shimokita Station
Parking: Available
Reference website: http://www.mutsu-kanko.jp/miru_01.html

Yamagata Prefecture "Zao's juhyō (樹氷) ", which can be seen only during the winter, is truly a spectacular sight created by nature. The ice is formed when strong monsoons from Siberia bring heavy snowfall to the evergreen coniferous "Abies sachalinensis (Abies sachalinensis), which easily forms ice and snow ". The ice trees, some as large as 5 meters, are world famous under the name "Ice Monster ".
The ropeway can easily take you to the top of the mountain during the harsh winter season when temperatures can drop as low as -15°C, so you can enjoy the tree ice without worry. The silvery white ice monsters are beautiful, but the colorful glow of the lights at night is a different kind of beauty.

Address: 229-3, Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Access: 45 minutes by bus from Yamagata Station
Parking: Available (ropeway station)
Reference site: Zao Onsen Tourism Association (https://www.zao-spa.or.jp/spot/ )

"Senrihama Nagisa Driveway "is the only national road in Japan that can be driven by car. It is open not only to cars but also to bicycles and motorcycles, so you can enjoy driving along the coast while catching the sea breeze. The small grains of sand washed ashore by the waves are hardened by seawater, making it possible for ordinary cars without 4-wheel drive to pass through.
In the evening, you can watch the sunset over the Sea of Japan and enjoy the orange sky and sea. You can enjoy different views depending on the time of year and time of day, making it a spectacular spot that you will never get tired of no matter how many times you visit.

Address: Shinpo-cho, Hakui-shi, Ishikawa, Japan
Access: Exit at Senrihama IC or Imahama IC
Parking: Available
Reference site: Hakui Tourist Association (https://notohakui.jp/charm/ )

Located in Nagano Prefecture, "Kamikochi "is famous as one of the best mountain resorts in Japan. The beautiful clear stream "Azusa River "flows from the mountains of the Northern Alps and is dotted with ponds with beautiful blue water such as "Taisho Pond "and "Myojin Pond ". The mountain scenery, which changes with the seasons, is extremely beautiful, with the white snow-capped peaks of the Hotaka mountain range in winter and spring, the dazzling fresh greenery in summer, and the colorful autumn leaves in fall.
There is a bus service to Kamikochi for easy access, and hotels and campgrounds are well maintained, so you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains.

Address: Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
Access: 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from Matsumoto Station
Parking: Available
*Kamikochi is closed to cars all year round, so you need to use the parking lots at "Akandana "or "Sawaundo "and transfer to a bus.
Reference site: Kamikochi official website (https://www.kamikochi.or.jp/ )

The karst topography of "Akiyoshidai ", which stretches across western Yamaguchi Prefecture, is the largest karst plateau in Japan. The white rocks protruding from the green grasslands were originally coral reefs at the bottom of the sea. Over a long period of time, they became limestone, which was then uplifted to the ground by tectonic movements and eroded by wind and rain to its present form.
Akiyoshidai, where you can feel the long history of the earth, offers an exhilarating driveway through grasslands and stones, or you can bike or walk for a more up-close view. Feel the history of the earth as you get up close and personal with limestone pillars and "large depressions created by nature called dolines ".

Residence：Akiyoshidai, Akiyoshi-cho, Mine-shi, Yamaguchi
Access: Approx. 40 min. by bus from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station
Reference site: Mine City Tourism Association (https://karusuto.com/spot/akiyoshidai/ )

"Nabeketaki Waterfall "located in Oguni-cho, Kumamoto Prefecture, is not a particularly large waterfall with a drop of about 10 meters. However, the water falling like a curtain over a width of 20 meters is very mysterious. You can even enter the back of the waterfall and feel as if you are surrounded by a curtain of water. "Nabeketaki Waterfall "was naturally formed as a result of a major eruption of Aso about 90,000 years ago. Pyroclastic flows from the eruption flowed into the original river, and the soft strata were scraped by the water, creating a space behind the waterfall. It is truly a mysterious and spectacular view created by the nature of Mt.
If you go there first thing in the morning during the fresh green season, you can see a curtain of light pouring down from the lush trees and a curtain of water at "Nabake Falls "at the same time.

Address: Kurobuchi, Oguni-cho, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Access: 90 minutes by car from Kumamoto IC
Parking: Available
Admission: Adults 300 yen / Children (junior high school students and under) 150 yen
Reference site: Oguni Town Tourist Association (https://www.town.kumamoto-oguni.lg.jp/q/aview/143/1445.html )

Located in Miyazaki Prefecture, "Takachiho Gorge "is a gorge with beautiful contrasts of water and trees. The pyroclastic flow from the great eruption of Mt. Aso that occurred a long time ago was eroded by wind and rain over a long period of time to form the present shape.
"Takachiho Gorge "can be toured by rental boat. The 7-km-long gorge is lined with cliffs of 100 m at the highest point and 80 m on average. In the 7km-long gorge, there is Manai Falls ", selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan ", and you can go very close to the falls by boat. As of October 23, 2022, boats are not available for rent because the river is swollen due to Typhoon No. 14. Please check the information at the Tourist Association before visiting Takachiho Gorge.

Address: Takachiho Town, Nishi-usuki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture
Access: 90 min. by bus from Nobeoka Station
　　　　　About 50 minutes from Nobeoka JCT
Reference site: Takachiho Tourist Association (https://takachiho-kanko.info/ )

"Saiba Utaki "is the highest sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, called in the Okinawan language "Seifu Utaki ". "It is registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the Gusuku and related heritage sites "of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. "Saiba Utaki "has six sacred areas, which are open to tourists while still being a sacred place where believers come to pray.
You can spend 30 minutes touring the sacred site, and the inside of the Utaki has a mystical atmosphere. Floating "Hisaka Island "in the emerald green sea seen through the gaps in the trees is called "God's Island "and has a different atmosphere from other remote islands in Okinawa. Going deeper into the island, you will find a place called "Sangokori ", where two huge stones stand supporting each other. This place has been worshipped since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom and is a spot where you can feel the power of nature.

Residence：539 Chinen Kutegin, Minami City, Okinawa
Access: 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Parking: Available
Admission: Adults 300 yen / Children (elementary and junior high school students) 150 yen / Children under 6 years old free
Reference site: Saiba Utaki official website (https://okinawa-nanjo.jp/sefa/ )

"Oishi Rinzan "is a karst formation in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa, where huge limestone rocks of various shapes and sizes can be seen. "Oishi Rinzan "is also called "Sacred Place Asimui "and is considered to be the first sacred place in Okinawa created by the island-building god "Amamikyo ". Since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the royal family has prayed at this site, and even today, there are 40 Goshu (prayer sites) scattered throughout the grounds of "Oishirinzan ".
"Oishirinzan "has a variety of rocks named after their shapes, such as "Goku-iwa ". As you climb up the mountain, you can see the beautiful green nature of northern Okinawa and the emerald green sea. Let's recharge the power of nature at the best power spot in Okinawa.

Address: 1241 Ginamama, Kunigami-mura, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 2 hours by car from Naha Airport
Parking: Available
Fee: Adults 1,500 yen / Children (4-14 years old) 550 yen
Reference site: Oishi Rinzan official website (https://www.sekirinzan.com/)

We have introduced some of the most spectacular spots in Japan where you can feel the great outdoors. All of them are sights that cannot be seen when living in the city, and can only be seen by going out into nature. Experience the clean air, high skies, the scent of trees, and the chirping of birds with all your senses. You will be healed and empowered by the spectacular views of nature.