List of national parks of Japan

in Japan are designated reserves of land, declared by the Ministry of the Environment under its National Parks Law.

Overview

The first national park was opened in 1939 while the Natural Parks Law, which regulates national, quasi-national and other public parks, was enacted in 1957.

There are currently 29 National Parks and 56 Quasi-National Parks in Japan as of August 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/statistics/nature/index.html#n_77 |title=Location of Nationa and Quasi-National Parks |accessdate=2007-04-11 |date=2002-04-11 |work=Ministry of Environment, Government of Japan] . Japan's National Parks cover 20,482 km² (5.4% of the land area) while its 55 Quasi-National Parks cover 13,328 km² (3.6% of land area).

National Parks are directly administered by the Ministry of the Environment while Quasi-National Parks are managed by local prefectures.

Visitation to National Parks around Japan has been declining in recent years. Some 350 million people visited the parks in 2004, down 60 million from 1992.

National Park protection status

The area of each National Park is divided into four categories of Special Zone that determine the degree of protection. In all National Parks, generally less than 50% of the area is reserved within the two highest protection zones.

Ranked in order of protection, the zones are:
* Special Protection Zone, which provides the highest protection status and according to bureaucratic guidelines is considered an area where scenic beauty needs to be maintained and the erection of structures is prohibited.
* Class I Special Zone, Structures are also prohibited, but where scenic beauty should be maintained "somewhat strictly", a laxer level of protection.
* Class II Special Zone. Forestry, agriculture and fishing may be carried out. Buildings associated with these activities them may be built, as well as cottages and villas so long as they do not obstruct the scenic beauty of an area. Clear cutting of forests is not permitted
* Class III Special Zone. The same as a Class II Special Zone, but for areas whose scenic nature is not considered threatened by forestry and clear cutting is permitted.

There are two additional National Park protection zones. Marine Park Zones, which apply to marine flora and fauna, offer the same protection as a Special Protection Zone. Ordinary Zones are areas buffering National Parks which are not strictly protected, but construction of large buildings is sometimes not permitted.

Quasi-national Park Protection Status

Quasi-national parks receive their designation by the Ministry of Environment on the basis that the are places of national beauty or have the potential to serve as a resort for nearby urban areas.

=List of National and Quasi-National Parks of Japan=

= National Parks =

Hokkaidō (North)

*Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park
*Shiretoko National Park
*Daisetsuzan National Park
*Akan National Park
*Kushiro Shitsugen National Park
*Shikotsu-Toya National Park

Tohoku (Northeast)

*Towada-Hachimantai National Park
*Rikuchu Kaigan National Park
*Bandai-Asahi National Park

= Kantō (East) =

*Nikkō National Park
*Oze National Park
*Chichibu Tamakai National Park
*Joshinetsu Kogen National Park
*Ogasawara National Park
*Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

= Chūbu (Central) =

*Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
*Hakusan National Park
*Minami Alps National Park

Kansai (West)

*Ise-Shima National Park
*Yoshino-Kumano National Park

= Chūgoku & Shikoku (Southwest) =

*San-in Coast National Park
*Daisen-Oki National Park
*Setonaikai National Park
*Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park

Kyūshū (South)

*Saikai National Park
*Unzen-Amakusa National Park
*Aso National Park
*Kirishima-Yaku National Park

Okinawa (Southern Islands)

*Iriomote National Park

Quasi-National Parks

Hokkaidō (North)

*Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park
*Abashiri Quasi-National Park
*Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park
*Hidaka Sanmyaku-Erimo Quasi-National Park
*Ōnuma Quasi-National Park

Tohoku (Northeast)

*Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park
*Tsugaru Quasi-National Park
*Hayachine Quasi-National Park
*Kurikorna Quasi-National Park
*Minami-Sanriku Kinkazan Quasi-National Park
*Zao Quasi-National Park
*Oga Quasi-National Park
*Chokai Quasi-National Park

Kantō (East)

*Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park
*Minami Boso Quasi-National Park
*Meiji Memorial Forest Takao Quasi-National Park
*Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park

Chūbu (Central)

*Echigo Sanzan-Tadami Quasi-National Park
*Myogi-Arafune-Saku Kogen Quasi-National Park
*Sado-Yahiko-Yoneyama Quasi-National Park
*Noto Hanto Quasi-National Park
*Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park
*Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Park
*Tenryu-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park
*Ibi-Sekigahara-Yoro Quasi-National Park
*Hida-Krso Gawa Quasi-National Park
*Aichi Kogen Quasi-National Park
*Mikawa Wan Quasi-National Park

Kansai (West)

*Suzuka Quasi-National Park
*Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park
*Tango-Amanohashidate-Oeyama Quasi-National Park
*Biwako Quasi-National Park
*Muroo-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park
*Kongo-Ikoma Quasi-National Park
*Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park
*Koya-Ryujin Quasi-National Park
*Meiji Memorial Forest Minoo Quasi-National Park

Chūgoku & Shikoku (Southwest)

*Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park
*Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park
*Nishi-Chugoku Sanchi Quasi-National Park
*Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park
*Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park
*Tsurugisan Quasi-National Park
*Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park
*Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park

Kyūshū (South)

*Kitakyushu Quasi-National Park
*Genkai Quasi-National Park
*Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park
*Iki-Tsushima Quasi-National Park
*Kyushu-Chuo Sanchi Quasi-National Park
*Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National Park
*Sobo-Katamuki Quasi-National Park
*Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park
*Amami Gunto Quasi-National Park

Okinawa (Southern Islands)

*Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park
*Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park

References

External links

* [http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/index.html Ministry of the Environment]
* [http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park.jpgNational location map of parks]