Whenever you visit, pack a raincoat: the island is known for its high rainfall, with 4300 to 8300 millimetres falling annually. When to visit – Yakushima’s unique climate ranges from subtropical to cool temperate, so it is possible to visit all year around. (Image: Getty / Beautifulblossom)Įxploring on foot is the best way to experience nature at close quarters here, from hiking past mist-shrouded yaku sugi cedar trees, the name bestowed on cedar trees that are over 1000 years old, in Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine to scaling the climbing trail to the summit of Mt Mocchomu, and keeping your eyes peeled for cute fauna unique to the island such as the Yakushima monkey and deer. What to see – Snorkel around the submerged shipwreck being reclaimed by marine life off Sakiura Beach in Futami Bay on Chichijima Island and hire a kayak and explore the rugged coastline at a leisurely pace.Įxploring the island on foot is the best way to do it. July and August are the busiest months for intrepid visitors. When to visit – The weather stays constantly pleasant year-round on the Ogasawara Islands, with the most rainfall recorded during September and October and slightly cooler subtropical temperatures in the winter months. Quirky fact: there are 100 recorded native land snail species found there, with over 90 per cent of them endemic to the islands. The islands are also a haven for sea birds and marine species. The UNESCO site stretches across 6358 hectares of land and 1581 hectares of ocean, and includes pristine beaches like Miyanohama Beach on Chichijima Island, where hours can be filled snorkelling and swimming, the arresting rock formations of the uninhabited Minamijima Island (you can only travel there with a Tokyo Nature Guide, visitor numbers are limited to 100 people a day and you can only stay for two hours), and the gentle peak of Mt Chibusa on Hahajima Island, which can be reached via a mountain trail to enjoy uninterrupted water views. Visit the 30 or so islands that form the stunning Ogasawara Islands. What to see – Take a nature cruise in the hope of spotting Ussuri brown bears and cubs along the shore tick off viewings of the five peaceful lakes that are collectively known as Shiretoko Goko Lakes sign up for a drift ice-walk tour kitted out in a dry suit, or for the ultimate extreme nature experience opt to dive under the ice floes. When to visit – The seasons play out spectacularly on the Shiretoko Peninsula, meaning there is never a bad time to visit, with winter presenting a wonderland of ice and snow, summer offering a cool, temperate climate, and autumn and spring bursting into colour. Abundant animal-spotting opportunities are another drawcard, with the area nurturing and supporting a range of endemic and endangered species both on land and in the nutrient-rich waters, from brown bears to seabirds and abundant marine life. (Image: Getty / azuki25)Įxploring here can be done both on land and by sea, with hiking trails leading to hidden waterfalls and boat tours weaving through ice flows that create patch-work patterns in the waters. Ussuri brown bears wander along a river in Shiretoko National Park. Its remote location has allowed it to remain blissfully unspoilt, presenting a true wilderness of thick forests, expansive lakes and rugged coastline. The Shiretoko UNESCO site is situated on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, and is celebrated as one of the richest ecosystems in the world. Stretching from Hokkaido in the north to the paradisiacal subtropical islands of the southernmost reaches of the country, this collection of five unspoilt environments offers visitors the chance to experience nature at its most elemental and beautiful.īreathe in, breathe out and prepare to immerse yourself in Japan’s pristine natural wonders. They have also resulted in the designation of large footprints of the country as UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites. Such time-honoured ways of being at one with nature have positioned Japan as something of a front-runner of sustainable and eco-conscious practices. 100 tips, tricks and hacks from travel insidersįeel the magic of moss-covered forests of the Shiratani Unsuikyo trail on Yakushima Island.
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