As the beaches open and a variety of new flowers come into season, early summer is the perfect time for camping and exploring the mountains at Shikotsu-Toya National Park. #NationalPark #Hokkaido #Flowers #MountainClimbing #支笏洞爺国立公園 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Jul 19, 2017 at 3:09am PDT

Japan's northernmost prefecture may not be the spot you'd imagine for beach life, but there are certainly beachside activities to be found at Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖・Shikotsu-ko)!

There are also pleasant seaside beaches to be found in northern Japan, such as Aragami Beach (荒神浜・Aragami Hama) in Iwate, part of Sanriku Reconstruction National Park.

There are many spots where heart-stopping scenery can be enjoyed in Iwate Prefecture. Take a look! #NationalPark #Iwate #三陸復興国立公園 Battered by cold Pacific winds, uniquely shaped rocks can be found at Kitayamazaki in Tanohata Village. Watching the beautiful sunrise at Jodogahama Beach in Miyako City is soothing to the soul. Aragami Beach in Yamada Town offers a lovely shore for swimming. #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #Jodogahama

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Jul 13, 2017 at 2:10am PDT

Jodogahama Beach (浄土ヶ浜・Jodogahama) is populated more with round stones than sand, but it's a lovely view at any time of day.

The Izu Peninsula is a popular tourist area just south of Tokyo, full of white-sand beaches and clear water ideal for swimming and surfing. 1. Shirahama Ohama Beach is the most popular beach on the Izu Peninsula, attracting some 400,000 sea bathers every year with its clear waters and white sands. Even drawing visitors from overseas, the beach is accessible within roughly 3 hours of Tokyo. It becomes quite crowded at the peak of summer!" 2. Situated in a natural bay, the calm waters at Sotoura Beach make it ideal for swimming. You’ll see plenty of people enjoying stand-up paddle surfing as well! With water is so clear you can see the bottom even from afar, Sotoura has been selected as one of the nation’s top 100 beaches by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. #NationalPark #Beaches #Japan #Shimoda #富士箱根伊豆国立公園 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #Izu

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Aug 1, 2017 at 2:01am PDT

Shirahama Ohama Beach (白浜大浜海水浴場・Shirahama Ohama Kaisui Yokujo) is the most popular beach on the Izu Peninsula, attracting some 400,000 sea bathers every year with clear water and white sand.

Situated in a natural bay, the calm waters at Sotoura Beach (外浦海水浴場・Sotoura Kaisui Yokujo) make it ideal for swimming. With water so clear you can see the bottom even from afar, Sotoura has been selected as one of the nation’s top 100 beaches by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.

Yumigahama Beach (弓ヶ浜) is located at the south end of the Izu Peninsula, a popular seaside holiday spot directly connected to Tokyo and Yokohama by train.

The Ise-Shima area is known as a prime resort region in Japan, offering succulent seafood and beautiful beaches. 1. The beautiful, broad, white-sand beach at Koshirahama. With its gentle waves, this is a great spot for novice surfers to learn the ropes. 2. The grand crinum lily (Crinum asiaticum, or ‘hamayu’) is the official flower of Shima City. Late summer is the ideal time to see them. This one was spotted at the northern end of Koshirahama. 3. The Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus, or ‘shiro-chidori’) is the official bird of Shima City. Timid by nature, if they spot humans even at a distance, they’ll quickly dart away on their little legs. To avoid startling these birds, please observe them from a distance! #NationalPark #Birds #Beach #Surfing #Mie #伊勢志摩国立公園 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #日本 #國家公園 #일본 #국립공원

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Sep 13, 2017 at 2:40am PDT

The white sand and gentle waves at Koshirahama (国府白浜) make it a great spot for novice surfers to learn the ropes.

Even if you're not out for a swim, Hiro no Hama (広の浜) offers something to look at day or night!

Senrinohama Beach (千里浜・Senrinohama) is the largest egg-laying site for loggerhead turtles (ウミガメ・umigame) on Japan's main island. Just be aware that town permission is required to view the turtles!

1. Two people ply the waters off Shionohama Beach on a stand-up paddleboard. There’s plenty of seaweed in the water, offering a very different sensation if you head out for a swim! Located on the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture, Shionohama Beach is famous for its sunsets. There are also kayak rentals available, and the beach gets quite boisterous with people enjoying a variety of activities in the summer. 2. The view from the observatory at Rosoku-jima Lookout. This photo was taken at the summer solstice, meaning it’s still quite light out even at 6 p.m. You might also want to tour the Rosoku-jima area on a pleasure cruise, allowing you to enjoy the blazing sunset from a completely different perspective! #NationalPark #Island #Geopark #Shimane #大山隠岐国立公園 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #日本 #國家公園 #일본 #국립공원

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Aug 22, 2017 at 3:58am PDT

There’s plenty of seaweed in the water at Shionohama Beach (塩の浜海岸・Shionohama Kaigan), offering a very different sensation if you head out for a swim! Fortunately, you can also rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard if you don't want that slimy sensation on your legs.

As part of the beach-opening ceremony at Kyukamura Setouchi-Toyo swimming area, a Shinto priest prays for safety for the season. #NationalPark #Beaches #Shikoku #瀬戸内海国立公園 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #Kyukamura #日本 #國家公園 #일본 #국립공원

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Aug 4, 2017 at 4:48am PDT

Many of Japan's beaches are opened with Shinto ceremony every year. Here we see one performed at Kyukamura Seouchi-Toyo swimming area (休暇村瀬戸内東予海水浴場・Kyukamura Setouchi-Toyo Kaisui Yoku-jo) on the Seto Inland Sea.

The Tatsukushi (竜串) coast is known for its unique rock formations. While you won't find soft sand here, the water is spectacular!

Created on March 7, 2017, Amami Gunto National Park stands as Japan’s 34th national park, located in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture. In addition to being home to the nation’s largest subtropical evergreen forest, the region’s history of being repeatedly connected to and separated from continental Asia and mainland Japan means the park is home to a variety of rare, endemic plant and animal species such as the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi, or ‘Amamino kurousagi’). The park is also home to some of the fastest-developing coral reef benches in the world. The region is rich with sea cliffs and karst topography composed of Ryukyu limestone, some of the northernmost coral reefs in the world, as well as mangroves, tidal flats and more! 1. Aze Coast Beautiful coral reefs can be seen right through the clear waters at Aze Coast. When he was crown prince, Emperor Akihito walked along the beach here with then-crown princess Michiko. Since that time, it has also been known as Prince Beach. 2. Mikyo Shirahama River This river flows through a rich forest of broadleaf evergreen trees, including Quercus miyagii (‘Okinawa urajirogashi’; literally, ‘Okinawan white-backed oak’). The forest is also home to rare animals such as the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi, or ‘Amamino kurousagi’) and Ryukyu long-haired rat (Diplothrix legata, or ‘kenaga nezumi’). 3. Ryukyu Spiny Newt The Ryukyu spiny newt (Echinotriton andersoni, or ‘iboimori’) is an endangered species living in the forested parts of Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima and the northern part of Okinawa’s main island. They are most likely to be seen during their winter breeding season. #NationalPark #Coral #Islands #奄美群島国立公園 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #日本 #國家公園 #일본 #국립공원

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Aug 31, 2017 at 2:12am PDT

Beautiful coral reefs can be seen right through the clear waters at Aze Coast (畦海岸・Aze Kaigan). When he was crown prince, Emperor Akihito walked along the beach here with then-crown princess Michiko. Since that time, it has also been known as Prince Beach.

The clear, blue waters of Kominato Beach on the southwest side of Chichijima Island. Accessible via local bus, this is the island’s top sunbathing beach, with fine white sand and shallow water. Just don’t forget about the 24-hour ferry ride from Tokyo! Consisting of three groups of subtropical islands some 1,000 kilometers south of the Japanese archipelago, Ogasawara National Park was registered as a World Heritage site in 2011. #NationalPark #Beach #WorldHeritage #UNESCO #小笠原国立公園 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #Chichijima #KominatoBeach

A post shared by National Parks of Japan (@nationalpark_japan) on Jun 7, 2017 at 2:03am PDT

Kominato Beach (小港海岸・Kominato Kaigan) can be found on the southwest side of Chichijima Island, some 1,000 kilometers (621 mi) south of the Japanese archipelago!

Kabira Bay (川平湾・Kabira-wan) is a jewel among Okinawa's countless beaches. Beautiful as it is, however, it must be enjoyed from the shore or by boat, as strong currents make swimming prohibited.

Ready to kick off your shoes and hit the beach? Check out more from Japan's national parks on Facebook and Instagram!