Best Nature Spot List

A famous spot for cherry blossoms which line a path along the Okawa River

The Institute for Nature Study, or Shizen Kyoiku-en, is an urban forest and green space where you can feel the changing seasons and embrace the beauty of nature in the midst of Tokyo.

Manyo Park has been selected as one of the 100 Best Historical Parks in Japan, as it is the only hot spring mentioned in ancient Manyoshu collection of poetry, and has been visited by many notable writers and artists. Inside the park you can see many of the flowers and plants mentioned in the Manyoshu, and take a leisurely stroll while listening to the murmur of the waterfalls and streams. You can rest your feet in any of the nine different foot baths at Doppo-no-yu, or enjoy matcha green tea and sweets at Manyotei. Each year, a ”firefly party” is held in the ”Hanakien” section of the park from early to mid-June, enabling you to enjoy the sight of Luciola fireflies flitting around the park, as well as enjoy stalls set up in the evenings in front of the nearby Tourist Hall. Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Okuyugawara or Fudo-Taki for about 12 minutes We are located right next to the Koen Iriguchi bus stop

The Yugawara bathing beach is shallow and very popular with children. Size: 500m x 150m Family huts: about 20 Entry fee: Adults - 1,000 JPY, children - 600 JPY *Does not include parking fees Access: From Yugawara Station, take the bus headed to Manazuru Station for about 5 minutes We are next to the Yoshihama Koban-Mae bus stop

A bridge that crosses the Tsubakurodani and regarded as one of the eight scenes of Azuma

An archaeological park in Minato Ward, Tokyo with a reconstructed pit-house from the latter Jomon Period (approximately 4,000 years ago).

A seaside park with great views

Famous for being one of Japan's Three Most Sacred Places

This is a park that was built by reconstructing and maintaining a scenic spot called Maiko Beach. Stretching about 800 meters along the coast, the beach is the best location to view the illumination of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. It's a great spot for spending a romantic moment with the gentle sound of the surf as the backdrop. Pets are not allowed in the beach area.

Sun Beach with palm trees, which many people visit for swimming during summer, has an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you were in a tropical country. The sandy beach is lit up at night, making visitors enjoy a view like a tropical resort. The beach is opened for swimmers every year from the second Saturday of July to August 31. Swimming is allowed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the above-mentioned swimming period. The beach is lit up every night from the sunset to 10:00 p.m.

Towering about 700 meters high, Mt. Maya lies in the central part of Rokko mountain range. The night view of Kobe seen from Kikuseidai near the mountaintop is famous as one of new three best night views in Japan. Legend has it that the name comes from the fact that Kobo-Daishi enshrined the statue of Shaka’s mother, Maya, on the mountain.

This is the remains of the garden of Daijo-in Temple, which was a monzeki temple (a temple of high rank where members of the imperial family and nobility enter the priesthood) of Kofuku-ji Temple. After the restoration was completed in 2010, these remains were made open to the public. You can also see them from Daijo-in Temple Garden Culture Hall located in the south of the garden.

Sakura Castle was also used as the government office of the Sakura Domain during the Edo period. What was built in this site of greenery and history was the Sakura Castle Ruins Park. Castle remains can be found in the park such as parts of old towers and dry moats. There are also many large trees such as the Mokkuku Couple evergreen trees which are around 400 years old and have been designated a natural monument by Chiba Prefecture. It is also a place where around 48 varieties of around 1,100 cherry blossom trees proudly blossom during spring. The park hosts tea gatherings for the general public on Sundays and national holidays at the tea room called Sankeitei.

This is a park overlooking Yokosuka Ironworks, to whose construction French engineer Léonce Verny contributed. The park is characterized by a French geometric garden.

A park surrounded with the nature of Hanno. Enjoy the colorful, beautiful landscapes of each season.

A stroll garden taking advantage of cliffs in the terrain of the Musashino Plateau. You can learn about traditional gardening methods here.

A garden commemorating the discovery of Omori Shell Mounds, the birthplace of Japanese archaeology.

Lots to enjoy, lots of ways to enjoy it

Founded as a private garden and created by notable writers and artists during the Edo period (1603–1868). The garden's biggest draw is its 30-meter tunnel lined with bush clover.

This is a natural monument-designated wind cave surrounded by the Aokigahara Jukai Forest.