Best Rivers, Lakes & Canyons Spot List

These thrilling falls run down a steep cliff some 97 meters high. Each season offers stunning views of the great outdoors.

Japan’s largest lake, replete with noteworthy places and leisure opportunities

A lake found at the opening of the Oku-Nikko region. Enjoy the changing of the seasons from the lakeshore at the foot of Mt. Nantai.

A 14km streamside trail past moss-covered rocks and waterfalls, changing beautifully with every season

One of the most spacious ponds in metropolitan Tokyo and beloved as a cherry-blossom viewing site in Spring. The scenic pond was often the subject of ukiyo-e paintings in the mid-19th century.

Historic stone warehouses and gaslit water make Otaru's canal one of Hokkaido's most atmospheric evening strolls

Lake Toya is the second largest caldera lake in Japan, having a circumference of about 40 km. Enjoy a walk along the lakeside or take a cruise on one of the pleasure boats.

Five mystical lakes cradled in primeval forest, the symbol of UNESCO World Heritage Shiretoko — explore via a free boardwalk or a seasonal guided trek.

A caldera lake formed by an eruption from Mt Oakan, Lake Akan rests among a rich natural environment and is famous for the marimo growing in it.

Aptly named, this mysterious hot spring transforms an entire river

Overwhelming in scale

Both selected as part of Japan's 100 best waterfalls

Experience the earth's energy in the remains of a volcanic crater

Japan's northernmost ice-free lake

A milky, ethereal blue pond that's most stunning at sunrise — and turns magical again after dark with a winter light-up near Biei, Hokkaido

A snow-white curtain of water falls into a blue river

Japan's clearest lake, famed for its deep ”Mashu blue” surface and the mystical sea of clouds that sometimes drifts over it at dawn

Plumes of steam and the scent of sulfur rise from this hot spring pond

Keep an eye out for plentiful wildlife

Picked as one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls