National Parks of Japan

Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park: a place of dynamic and diverse landscapes, including mountains like Mount Rishiri, various alpine plants, and one of Japan's largest plain, the Sarobetsu Plain. As 2024 approaches, the park will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
While it stands as a major tourist destination, welcoming a multitude of visitors, the park also confronts a range of challenges.
In response, the dedicated guardians of the north work tirelessly, striving to discover solutions.
Within the northernmost national park, a dialogue unfolds between nature and people, carrying within it hints for a future of coexistence.

The vast Joshin’etsukogen National Park is the fourth largest in Japan. To be honest, we had a difficult time deciding where to visit, but this time, we decided to focus on Nozawa Onsen Village. The deciding factor was the words of Kenji Kono, The North Face Athlete, who said, "If you're interested in an intriguing story revolving around water, it's the perfect place." With Kenji Kono, who is from Nozawa Onsen Village and currently serves as the chairman of the village's tourism association, let us embark on a journey of water and fire.

Hakusan National Park spans across four prefectures - Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, and Gifu. At its heart lies the Hakusan mountain range, which has long been the object of mountain worship. Known for its heavy snowfall, the mountains receive approximately 600 million tons of snow annually due to the northwestern seasonal winds. While winters are harsh, the melting snow provides abundant water that sustains the thriving life in the villages below. Let us embark on a journey climbing Mount Hakusan and experiencing the mountain life at its foothills, revealing the true essence of mountain worship.

Chubusangaku National Park, home to the Northern Alps, is one of Japan's most renowned mountainous regions. Spanning across four prefectures – Niigata, Toyama, Nagano, and Gifu – the park captivates visitors with its majestic natural beauty, culinary culture, hot springs, and rich historical heritage.
Recently, Chubusangaku National Park has been starting exciting new initiatives.
Through collaborative efforts among different regions, it seeks to offer even more comprehensive ways to enjoy the area while striking the perfect harmony between preservation and utilization.
Join us on an inspiring journey to Chubusangaku National Park with Masato Morikawa from the Ministry of Environment, who is at the forefront of these future-conscious initiatives.

Among the numerous national parks, there is one place where you can truly sense the essence of "Earth" – none other than Izu Oshima, located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
Oshima is a volcanic island.
While you might think this is common knowledge, not many people have actually experienced it firsthand.
This island has erupted countless times, making it a location where the Earth is laid quite bare.
This time, we were accompanied by The North Face athlete and climber, Toru Nakajima, as we visited Oshima. As someone with also a background in geological research, lets see how he perceived this unique land.

When you hear "Hakone," the first thing that might come to mind is "hot springs," but Hakone has also flourished as a vital location along the historic Tokaido Road since ancient times. Discover another side of Hakone by delving into its history and connecting with the local people. Take a walk along the old Tokaido road, once traveled by Edo-era travelers, and sign in awe at the enduring charm of amazake that has remained unchanged for centuries. Let us embark on a journey to experience the essence of Edo in Hakone.