Eastern Hokkaido
If you are looking for somewhere unlike Japan but still Japan, with a fascinating natural history and Indigenous culture, this is the right place!
It’s only a 90-minute flight from Tokyo to the Eastern Hokkaido cities of Kushiro, Memanbetsu, and Nakashibetsu.
From dynamic volcanoes, lakes, and forests to a huge marshland and rich oceans, Eastern Hokkaido is a wonderland of natural beauty. There are three national parks with different features and attractions. Hokkaido is called a “food paradise” where you can enjoy fresh seafood and vegetables, tasty beef, pork, and venison BBQ, and all different kinds of dairy products especially ice cream and cheese in Eastern Hokkaido.
You’ll experience different parts of Japan allowing you to unwind and feel refreshed while introducing you to another side of Japan for sure!!
Three National Parks
National Parks in Japan are similar to those in the UK rather than the ones in the USA or Canada because most of the land in the park is not owned by the government, but privately owned. Therefore, people were living in the park long before the area was designated as a National Park which means that you can see how people are living so closely in harmony with nature.
Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park
Kushiro-Shitsugen is the largest wetlands in Japan and was designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites) in 1980. These wetlands are also known as the home of the Red Crowned Cranes that are a symbol of longevity and happiness.
Akan-Mashu National Park
Designated as a National Park in 1934, this is one of the oldest parks in Japan, and its features are active volcanos, caldera lakes, boreal forests and the Ainu culture. Located in the center of Eastern Hokkaido, this is a great place to stay longer and enjoy the whole region.
Shiretoko National Park
Designated as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2005, its ecosystem and biodiversity have attracted the attention of nature lovers around the world. The park is a crucial habitat for many species of wildlife including globally endangered species.