Japan’s National Park Stamp Rally Campaign provides an excellent opportunity to explore the country’s diverse landscapes while also helping alleviate congestion in major cities. By doing so, it encourages tourists to visit rural and lesser-known destinations.
The campaign promotes more balanced travel across the country. For travelers seeking Japan’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, this initiative offers a unique way to enjoy scenic national parks away from the crowds, thereby making it an ideal option for sustainable tourism.
Japan’s national park stamp campaign aims to boost regional tourism and cultural exploration
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment is launching a limited-time campaign called Kokuritsu Kōen no In (National Park Stamps) to boost travel to the country’s 35 national parks. The campaign runs from February 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027. Visitors can collect original stamps at national park visitor centers and press them onto traditional calligraphy-style paper provided at each site.
Materials for the rally are available in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.
The main goal of the campaign is to promote park-to-park travel among both domestic and international tourists. Across the country, each park—from Hokkaido to Okinawa—offers unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences. In addition to enjoying nature, travelers can also discover regional history and local traditions.
Moreover, the campaign encourages more people to visit park facilities, learn about Japan’s natural heritage, and explore beyond the usual tourist spots. Given the record number of international tourists in 2024, the government also hopes to reduce congestion in major cities by actively redirecting tourist flow to rural areas and lesser-known destinations.
The Ministry’s official website shows where to get the stamps for each park. Want to get a head start? Below are highlights from just a few of the great parks in the Kanto (greater Tokyo) region and beyond.
Explore Kanto’s national parks
Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park
Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, designated in 1950, stands as the closest mountainous national park to the Tokyo metropolitan area. It spans four prefectures—Saitama, Tokyo, Yamanashi, and Nagano—and covers 126,259 hectares of forested mountains, dramatic valleys, and pristine rivers. The park offers diverse landscapes and seasonal beauty that attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, mountaineering, camping, stream fishing, and canyon climbing.
There are four main visitor centers within Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park: Mitake, Okutama, Mitsumine, and Yama-no-Furusato Mura. Mitake Visitor Center offers exhibits on Mt. Mitake’s nature and folklore, along with nature walks and workshops.
Okutama Visitor Center provides trail updates and seasonal highlights, hosting guided hikes and educational events. Mitsumine Visitor Center, next to Mitsumine Shrine, features displays on local flora, fauna, and cultural heritage, plus trail guidance for Mt. Kumotori. Yama-no-Furusato Mura Visitor Center focuses on regional nature and culture.
Stamps are available at all centers, making it easy to join the park’s stamp rally, combining accessibility from Tokyo with rich natural diversity.
Nikko National Park
Nikko National Park, established in 1934, is one of Japan’s oldest national parks. It stretches across Fukushima, Tochigi, and Gunma prefectures, covering 114,908 hectares.
Easily accessible from Tokyo, Nikko National Park blends striking natural scenery with centuries of cultural heritage. Visitors can explore volcanic peaks, waterfalls, and lakes, especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season. The park is also home to ornate shrines and temples recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors can collect a stamp at the Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center within the park, which provides updates on trails, wildlife sightings, and seasonal highlights. Guided nature walks are available as well.
Oze National Park
Oze National Park, designated in 2007, spans 37,222 hectares across Fukushima, Tochigi, Gunma, and Niigata prefectures. The park is home to the country’s largest high-altitude wetland, framed by a ring of majestic mountains.
Known for its iconic alpine marshland, Oze National Park is one of Japan’s most beloved hiking destinations. Ozegahara Marsh, one of Japan’s largest highland wetlands, is known for sweeping views of blooming alpine flowers in spring and summer. Nearby, Ozenuma Lake offers serene scenery, with its calm waters framed by surrounding forested peaks.
Visitors can collect a stamp at the Ozenuma Visitor Center, located along the lake’s eastern shore within the park. The center provides trail updates, ecological info, and daily guided nature walks, as well as weekend slideshow sessions. Though farther from major cities, Oze’s unique landscape and seasonal beauty make it a worthwhile destination for nature lovers participating in the stamp rally.
Exploring rural Japan
Setonaikai National Park
Setonaikai National Park is one of Japan’s oldest national parks, designated in 1934. Stretching across 11 prefectures—from Osaka to Oita—it covers approximately 900,000 hectares, making it one of the largest national parks in the country.
The park showcases a stunning island-dotted seascape that draws visitors. Calm waters surround countless islands, and scenic viewpoints stretch across the region. Visitors can enjoy these views from many locations around the park, which borders four major straits: the Kitan Strait, Naruto Strait, Kanmon Strait, and Hoyo Strait.
Setonaikai National Park features four main visitor centers—Ōkunoshima, Goshikidai, Washuzan, and Rokko Mountain—each offering insights into the park’s diverse nature and culture. At the Rokko Mountain Visitor Center and Guide House, visitors can explore interactive exhibits on the area’s geology, wildlife, and history. Stamps for the national park campaign are available at all four centers.
Yakushima National Park
Yakushima National Park, officially designated in 2012, spans two contrasting islands—Yakushima and Kuchinoerabu Island—off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture. Despite being just 12 kilometers apart, the islands feature dramatically different landscapes and geological origins, shaped by volcanic activity and rich ocean currents.
On one hand, Yakushima is celebrated for its steep peaks, lush valleys, and ancient Yakusugi cedars—some over a thousand years old—set within deep, misty forests. Notably, part of the island is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity. On the other hand, Kuchinoerabu Island is known for its active volcanoes, wild coastline, and rare flora and fauna.
To enhance the visitor experience and promote safe exploration, the Yakushima World Heritage Center offers educational exhibits. These focus on conservation, biodiversity, and mountain safety. Stamps for the national parks stamp collection campaign are also available at designated visitor centers. These include the Yakushima World Heritage Center, the Yakusugi Museum, and the Environmental Culture Village Center.
Towada-Hachimantai National Park
Designated on February 1, 1936, Towada-Hachimantai National Park covers 85,534 hectares. It stretches across the mountainous regions of northern Honshu, spanning Aomori, Akita, and Iwate prefectures.
The park features two distinct areas. The Towada-Hakkoda region is known for Lake Towada, the scenic Oirase Gorge, and Mount Hakkoda’s frost-covered trees in winter. The Hachimantai region is a volcanic zone shaped by geothermal forces and heavy snow. It is home to wetlands, crater lakes, and rich ecosystems.
Both areas offer stunning seasonal scenery and relaxing hot springs surrounded by nature.
At the Towada Visitor Center, visitors can explore the natural wonders of the Towada-Hakkoda area. The center features detailed dioramas and life-sized tree displays that highlight the region’s seasonal beauty and ecological richness. A stamp is also available at the center as part of the national parks stamp collection campaign.
Step off the beaten path and discover Japan’s hidden gems—one stamp at a time!
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Trip to the National Parks of Japan National Parks of Japan
日光国立公園 Ministry of Environment National Parks of Japan
尾瀬国立公園 Ministry of Environment National Parks of Japan
秩父多摩甲斐国立公園 Ministry of Environment National Parks of Japan
瀬戸内海国立公園 Ministry of Environment National Parks of Japan
