A magnificent panorama of mountains, water, and forests! Traveling the stunning landscapes of Alaska

A treasure trove of natural beauty in northern America

Located at the northwestern tip of the North American continent, Alaska is the largest state in the United States, boasting an area four times that of Japan. With a population of approximately 700,000 people living mainly in the largest city, Anchorage, and the second largest city, Fairbanks, this state is the least densely populated in the United States. It is said that forests, glaciers, and fjords make up more than 95% of the total area, and it is loved by many people as a "paradise of nature" that represents the American continent.

North America's highest peak, Denali (McKinley), beautiful fjords created by glaciers, a coastline with a complex topography facing the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Sea, and many wild animals such as grizzly bears and moose... The coming season, when the snow melts and the earth turns a beautiful green, is one of the best seasons for traveling with warm weather. If you want to enjoy Alaska's short summer, rent a car or take the Alaska Railroad and experience the magnificent nature that spreads all around you.

Explore the spectacular mountain scenery of North America's highest peak

Located in southern Alaska, Alaska is dotted with many mountains, centered around the Alaska Range, which forms a large arc spanning approximately 256 km. Among them, Denali, the highest peak in North America at 6,168 m above sea level, creates an exceptionally spectacular view. Denali means "great one" in the native Athabascan language. As its name suggests, this famous peak capped with pure white snow is filled with powerful and majestic beauty.

If you want to take your time to appreciate its grandeur, be sure to visit Denali National Park, which is centered around Denali. Denali National Park, which opened in 1917, is surrounded by other mountains, plains, and tundra, with its steep mountainside. The scale of the park is so overwhelming that you'll want to say, "This is Alaska!" You can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery that symbolizes Alaska.

Denali National Park, which boasts an area larger than Shikoku, is a wildlife paradise where many creatures live. In addition to Alaskan wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves, there are also 130 species of birds, including golden eagles, flying in the sky. Denali National Park is generally accessed by Alaska Railroad or bus from Anchorage or Fairbanks. Roads within the national park are closed to public vehicles in order to protect the environment, so it is recommended to use shuttle buses or wildlife tours on site.

Experience the spectacular water scenery created by the ocean and glaciers

Alaska, dotted with 100,000 glaciers, large and small, is also known as the place with the most glaciers in the world. Alaska is home to a variety of landscapes created by the clear blue glaciers, but the "26 Glacier Cruise," which lets you view the glaciers from the sea, is a highly recommended experience. You'll be able to enjoy the "spectacular water scenery" created by the sea and glaciers.

The starting point of the "26 Glaciers Cruise" is Whittier, a small port town located southeast of Anchorage. On the approximately 5-hour cruise around Prince William Sound, you can literally see 26 glaciers. Each glacier has its own unique characteristics, such as Cascade Glacier, Barry Glacier, Surprise Glacier, etc., but the glaciers and drift ice sparkling in the summer sunshine are breathtakingly beautiful. If you're lucky, you may be able to see ice blocks collapsing with a thud. Another attraction of the cruise is the opportunity to see sea otters, seals, dolphins, and more. The most common way to get from Anchorage to Whittier is by bus or Alaska Railroad. Be sure to take your time and enjoy the scenery from the train window.

Discover the magnificent forest scenery and abundant trees nurtured by the earth

Vast wilderness stretching out as far as the eye can see, with trees and flowers taking root in the earth. The wide, beautiful "spectacular forest scenery" is one of the sights you'll want to enjoy in Alaska in the summer. If you want to experience the scale of the forest with your whole body, we recommend enjoying activities such as hiking.

For example, Chugach State Park, which is about a 20-minute drive from Anchorage, is a recommended place for hiking. Although it is located right next to Alaska's largest city, it is surrounded by rich nature in the Chugach Mountains. The park is the third largest state park in the United States, and has 110 trails with a total length of 800 km. There are many attractions, such as deep forests covered with coniferous trees such as hemlock and spruce, alpine tundra, and Elkootna Lake. Many wild animals such as moose, Dall sheep, lynx, and brown bears also live here. Chugach State Park, which can be easily accessed from Anchorage and has a spectacular forest view, is an outstanding hiking field that you should visit at least once. Also, Glacier Bay National Park, located in the southern part of Alaska near the state capital Juneau, is a recommended place to enjoy glaciers, forests, and wildlife.