All About Japan

14 Stunning Sunrise & Sunset Spots in Japan

Parks Mountains Lake Coast Beaches Hiking Mount Fuji Japanese Countryside New Year's Great Outdoors Shoryudo Summer Kyoto Izu Peninsula Aomori Hokkaido Iwate Kochi Kumamoto Mie Miyazaki Shimane Shizuoka Yamanashi Tohoku Chubu Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Koshinetsu Tokai Region

It's a tradition to watch the sunrise on the first day of the year in Japan. And the nation's national parks offer countless breathtaking options for both sunrise and sunset at any time of year!

Shiretoko Marsh (Hokkaido)

Here the sun sets over Shiretoko Marsh (知床沼・Shiretoko Numa) on the northeastern tip of Hokkaido.

Lake Mashu (Hokkaido)

If you've already seen the sun set over Shiretoko Marsh, head southwest for the sunrise over Lake Mashu (摩周湖・Mashu-ko) in Akan-Mashu National Park!

Lake Towada (Aomori)

Follow: @nationalpark_japan ・ ・ The evening light cast over Lake Towada, seen here from the shore in the town of Yasumiya in Aomori Prefecture, is simply beautiful. The cloud-filled sky, crested tree line, and azure, volcanic waters become stained a deep crimson. It's just one example of the gorgeous scenery waiting in Towada-Hachimantai National Park(photographed last autumn). #NationalPark #TowadaHachimantaiNationalPark #十和田八幡平国立公園 #Sunset #Lakes #Aomori #Tohoku #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #visitjapanjp #日本 #國家公園 #일본 #국립공원 #国立公園

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The eastern shore of Lake Towada (十和田湖・Towada-ko) offers yet another stunning sunset vista.

Jodogahama Beach (Iwate)

Jodogahama Beach (浄土ヶ浜・Jodogahama) is a scenic sunrise spot located on the east coast of Iwate Prefecture.

Mount Jizogatake (Yamanashi)

Follow: @nationalpark_japan ・ ・ 1. Sunrise over the shoulder of Mt. Fuji, as seen from Arakawa Hut. A sea of clouds spreads over the horizon, creating stunning contrast between their luminous crimson and the sky’s deep blue. 2. The first sunrise of the year seen from Mt. Jizogatake, one of the three peaks of the Hoo Sanzan Mountains. The contrast between snow and sky leaves an indelible impression, with the ordinarily giant form of Mt. Fuji feeling somehow small in the distance. #NationalPark #SouthAlpsNationalPark #南アルプス国立公園 #MtFuji #Sunrise #NewYear2018 #HooSanzanMountains #MtJizogatake #ArakawaSanzanMountains #ArakawaHut #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #visitjapanjp #日本 #國家公園 #일본 #국립공원 #国立公園

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No sunrise is more coveted than the first sunrise of the year over Mount Fuji! It's seen here from Mount Jizogatake (地蔵ヶ岳・Jizogatake) in the Hoo Sanzan Mountains (鳳凰三山・Hoo Sanzan).

Arakawa Hut (Yamanashi)

You can also see Mount Fuji to the right of the sunrise from Arakawa Hut (荒川小屋・Arakawa-koya), located in South Alps National Park.

Otago Beach (Shizuoka)

Sky and water turn crimson during sunset at Otago Beach (大田子海岸・Otago Kaigan), located on the west side of the Izu Peninsula.

Yumigahama Beach (Shizuoka)

Alternatively, you can head to the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula to catch sunrise at Yumigahama Beach (弓ヶ浜・Yumigahama).

Shima-Shinmei Station (Mie)

You can get a lovely view of sunset over Kashiko-jima Island ((賢島・Kashiko-jima) from the observation area near Shima-Shinmei Station (志摩神明駅・Shima-Shinmei-eki) in eastern Mie.

Fuseda Fureai Park (Mie)

Autumn is an incredible time to catch a sunset at Fuseda Fureai Park (布施田ふれあい公園・Fuseda Fureai Koen) in Ise-Shima National Park.

Mihonoseki (Shimane)

Mihonoseki (美保関) is a popular spot to catch the first sunrise of the year in Shimane Prefecture.

Oki Coast (Kochi)

Follow: @nationalpark_japan ・ ・ A ‘Daruma Sunrise’ is a rare phenomenon that can only be seen when the conditions are just right. It’s only possible when the cooler months set in between the autumnal and vernal equinoxes, with the sun rising over the sea and clear skies all the way out to the horizon. This one was spotted along the Oki coast in Tosashimizu City, Kochi. So why ‘Daruma’? A Daruma is a red, round doll made in the image of a legless monk, and a very common folk charm in Japan. Perhaps you can see the resemblance! #NationalPark #Sunrise #Daruma #DarumaSunrise #Shikoku #AshizuriUwaSeaNationalPark #足摺宇和海国立公園 #NewYear2018 #nationalparks #nature #findyourpark #instafollow #japan #landscape #landscape_lovers #ourplanetdaily #landscapephotography #hiking #outdoors #traveling #travel #explore #visitjapanjp #日本 #國家公園 #일본 #국립공원 #国立公園

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This "Daruma Sunrise" (だるま朝日・Daruma Asahi) on the Oki (大岐) coast can only be seen when the conditions are just right. A Daruma is a red, round doll made in the image of a legless monk, a very common folk charm in Japan.

Kabuto Iwa Observation Point (Kumamoto)

This is the year's first sunrise over Mount Aso, seen from Kabuto Iwa Observation Point (かぶと岩展望所・Kabuto Iwa Tenbosho) in Aso-Kuju National Park. From this angle, the rocky crags of Mount Aso are said to resemble the profile of a reclining Buddha.

Mount Io (Miyazaki)

Ensconced in the Kirishimayama mountain range, here the sun sets over the Ebino Plateau (えびの高原・Ebino Kogen), with Mount Io (硫黄山・Io-yama) in the background.

Dazzled? Sun-besotted? Check out more from Japan's national parks on Facebook and Instagram!