The Akan National Park, in eastern Hokkaido, extends around three lakes, Kutcharo, Akan and Mashu. On either side of Lake Akan are the volcanoes Me-Akan and O-Akan. Much of the park is covered by sub-Arctic primeval forests and is particularly attractive in the fall with its brilliant colored foliage.

In the western part of the National Park lies Lake Akan (alt 1,375ft/ 419m), which has a circumference of 14mi/ 22.5 km and a maximum depth of 118ft/ 36m. The lake is noted for its abundance of fish (trout, salmon) and for a waterweed known as the marimo, which can reach a diameter of 6in/ 15cm. Normally grown on the bottom, the plants rise to the surface when the sun shines, giving the lake a shimmering green color. The marimo, which is found also in Lake Yamanaka and Lake Sakyo is a statutorily protected species. On the south side of the lake rises Me-Akan (4,931ft/ 1,503m), on the east side O-Akan (4,498ft/ 1,371m) - two volcanoes which form a magnificent backdrop to the lake with its many small islands.

On the south side of the lake is the health resort of Akan-kohan-onsen, a junction for the various bus services, which run through the park. From here Me-Akan can be climbed (7mi/ 11.5km to the summit). The view from the summit takes in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Pacific and the Tokachi and Nemuro plains. From Akan-kohan-onsen the Akan Traverse Road leads to the O-Akan-onsen, starting point for the ascent of the extinct volcano of O-Akan (7mi/ 11km). The road continues east of Teshikaga, passing the viewpoints of Sogukudai (view of Me-Akan and O-Akan) and Sokodai (view of the little lakes of Penketo and Panketo).

Steep rock faces a rising to 650ft/ 200m and dense forests make the shores of the crater lake, Lake Mashu (circumference 12 1/2mi/ 20km, depth 696ft/ 212m) almost inaccessible but there is a superb view of the lake from the outlook terrace high above its shores. Lake Mashu is claimed to be the clearest lake in the world, with visibility reaching down to over 130ft/ 40m. On the east side of the lake rises Mount Kamui-Nupuri (2,815ft/ 858m) and on the west side the still-active volcano of Io (1,673ft/ 510m) with its numerous solfataras (vents emitting vapor). The best starting point for a trip to the foot of the volcano is the romantically situated health resort of Kawayu-onsen.

From here it is 1mi/ 1.5km to the base of the volcano, where sulphurous vapors emerge from numerous vents, coloring the rocks yellowish green with their deposits.

Notthwest of Kawayu-onsen we find the largest lake in the Akan National Park, Lake Kutcharo (alt 397ft/ 121m, area 30sq.mi/ 77.5sq.km, depth 395ft/ 120m). In the middle of the lake is the wooded island of Tomoshiri, on the south side is the resort of Wakoto-onsen, with subterranean hot springs warming the waters of the lake and the sand on its shores (camp sites). Here, too, is the source of the River Kushiro, which flows south. There is a very fine views of the lake from the Bihoro Pass (1,723ft/ 525m) which carries the road from Teshikaga to Bihoro and Abashiri.

Akanko is small resort town with about 2,000 residents. It is noted for the hot springs as well as a good base to explore both Akan National Park and nearby Kushiro Marshland National Park.

Beppu is located southeast of Fukuoka and is noted for more hot-spring water than anywhere else in Japan. The town is well-known for spa resorts including the Hells, a major tourist attraction.

The most notable features of Iriomote National Park are the long coral reefs with their varied marine life and the dense primeval forest with its rich wild life (including the Iriomote wild cat). The finest beach on Iriomote is Haemida on Cape Haemida (south coast of the island).

Kumamoto is a major city and is noted for its castle, one of Japan's largest. Kumamoto has two national parks, Aso-Kuju and Unzen-Amakusa.

The current castle is a concrete reconstruction with several wooden buildings that still remain of the original castle. The interior of Kumamoto Castle houses armor, swords, and other artifacts of the former ruling clans.

Yakushima is an island south of Kyushu covered in dense forest that includes old growth Sugi trees and spectacular Rhododendrons. The ancient forest became a World Heritage site in 1993.