Rund's Halloween Makeup TutorialOct.27.2020
Japan is a nation that awes and inspires. While it is easy to marvel at all things shiny and new while sampling the sprawling city scapes, Japan also offers plenty of natural beauty to gawk at. From crystal clear waters , trees that drip with amethyst flowers, or verdant green vistas that look like a fairy land, there is a lot here for the nature lover to explore. These spots may not have been places on your itinerary for you next trip, but after reading our list, they will be!
Formed by the rapid cooling of a lava flow, this gorge sporting 100 meter high walls is truly breath-taking. Its beauty is rife with myth and legend and it is said that this is the spot that the gods descended upon the earth. The cliffs are populated with mosses and trees and the Gokase River flows between the giant stone sentinels. Here in one of Japan’s gems the water is beautiful in its own right, its greenish-blue hues a lovely contrast against the slate rocks. You can see the gorge two ways: by foot and by boat. Boat is very popular, taking you about half an hour to travel through via canoe. Either way, you can’t go wrong with views like this!
This spot in Japan is a little less secret than it used to be, but it’s so beautiful we had to include it in our list. Kawachi Wisteria Garden is actually a private garden that is open to the public during peak blooming times, which is typically around mid April until May. The most spellbinding features are the two 100 meter long archway of the flowers, which almost seem to drip down from overhead like clusters of grapes. The colors range from a deep royal purple to white and there is also a portion of the garden where the many trees create a roof overhead. Due to recent popularity, the garden can be a bit difficult to access with traffic jams being problematic. But, it is sooo worth it!
Around 300 millions years ago, the Akiyoshido Plateau was a coral reef in Japan. It’s no wonder then that this cave is the largest limestone cave in the area. It is easy to navigate and offers plenty of positively haunting sights like underground waterfalls, terraced pools of natural limestone, and stalactites! There are three entrances to the cave, but the consensus is to use the Akiyoshido entrance as this will allow you to exit at a viewing platform for the plateau which boasts gorgeous views as well.
Located in Okinawa, which is made up of 20 or so islands, the Kerama Islands are picture perfect. With inviting clear water and white sand beaches, these islands are a nature or beach lover’s ideal spot in Japan. Diving is spectacular here and there is something for all skill levels. Sea turtles as well as Humpback whales are natural denizens here. Grab a snorkel and dive in!
An hour and a half plane ride away from Osaka, and away from the typical tourist crowds, you will find this near other-worldly realm. Unspoiled coastline, large cedar forests, and abundant wildlife rule the day here. The views are spectacular and much of the island feels like a dream world. Spend hours hiking and discovering and you are likely to find it some of the best spent time of your life. Bring your camera, bring your friend’s camera, bring several cameras because words just won’t do this place justice.
