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Doctor X_CandyDaisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido Japan has 34 national parks, but the largest and most rugged is the Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido. Covering an area of approximately 2,268 square kilometers, the park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many rare species. The Daisetsuzan volcanic complex consists of Asahidake (2,291 meters), Hokkaido's highest peak, and a number of other active volcanoes. Although the area is shrouded in snow and ice almost year-round, during the brief summer months, a variety of alpine plants flourish, adding a rich variety of colors to the vast, desolate plateau. Hokkaido's indigenous people (the Ainu) call the Daisetsuzan "the playground of the gods." The Daisetsuzan National Park is located in the heart of Hokkaido, Japan's second largest island. With more than 16 peaks over 2,000 meters high, the Daisetsuzan area is often referred to as the "roof of Hokkaido" The source of Hokkaido's two longest waterways (the Ishikari and Tokachi rivers) is also located in the park. The winter in the Snow Mountain area is long, and the summer is very short. It is recommended to visit in late August or early September to enjoy the most colorful and gorgeous scenery of the park. If you are a free traveler, you can spend a whole day hiking.