Images: National Parks in the Kantō Region: One-Day Getaways from Tokyo

Vibrant autumn colors at Mount Nantai and Lake Chūzenji, part of the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō World Heritage site. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

Snow-capped Mount Nikkō-Shirane, with Lake Chūzenji in the foreground. (© Pixta)

Mount Chausu, the main peak of the Nasu range, is an active volcano emitting continuous plumes of steam and gas. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

Crabapples bloom in the Senjōgahara wetlands of Oku-Nikkō. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

A scenic boat tour on the Kinugawa River. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

Irohazaka is a popular foliage viewing spot. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

Yumoto Hot Springs, Oku-Nikkō. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

Volcanic gases created the bleached landscape at Sesshōseki, the “killer rock” on the slopes of Mount Chausu. The boardwalk leads to the Nasu Highlands scenic lookout. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

The Momijidani Suspension Bridge across the Shiobara Valley attracts numerous visitors during the fall foliage season. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

Nasu Heisei no Mori, incorporating a natural beech forest, opened in 2011. (Courtesy Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association)

Autumn grasses at Oze, with Mount Shibutsu in the distance. (Courtesy GuGutto Gunma Tourism Campaign, Gunma Prefecture Bureau of Tourism)

Mount Hiuchi, viewed from Oze Marsh in summer. (© Pixta)

A pond along a ridge between Aizu-Komagatake and Mount Chūmon. (© Pixta)

Sanjō Falls, in the upper reaches of the Tadami River, which flows out from Oze. (© Pixta)

Asian skunk cabbage blooming in spring against the backdrop of Mount Shibutsu. (© Pixta)

A boardwalk over the marshy terrain runs past a colony of Nikkō kisuge day lilies. (Courtesy GuGutto Gunma Tourism Campaign, Gunma Prefecture Bureau of Tourism)

Sunrise, viewed from the summit of Mount Kinpu, with Mount Fuji visible in the distance. The peak is topped by the massive Gojōiwa granite outcropping. (© Pixta)

Snow on Mount Kinpu, at right, with the white peaks of the Southern Japan Alps beyond, viewed from Mount Kobushi. (© Pixta)

Shōsenkyō Gorge, a nationally designated place of scenic beauty, north of Kōfu, Yamanashi Prefecture. (Courtesy Yamanashi Tourism Organization)

The spectacular Nanatsugama-godan Waterfall in the Nishizawa Gorge. (© Pixta)

Many visitors enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the Mitsumine Shrine complex. Shown here is one of its three shrines. (Courtesy Saitama Prefecture Products and Tourism Association)