and in

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

are places of scenic beauty designated for protection and sustainable usage by the

Minister of the Environment An environment minister (sometimes minister of the environment or secretary of the environment) is a cabinet position charged with protecting the natural environment and promoting wildlife conservation. The areas associated with the duties of an ...

under the of 1957. National Parks are designated and in principle managed by the Ministry of the Environment. Quasi-National Parks, of a slightly lesser beauty, size, diversity, or state of preservation, are recommended for ministerial designation and managed by the

Prefectures A prefecture (from the Latin ''Praefectura'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain international ...

under the supervision of the ministry.

History

Japan established its first or public parks in 1873 ( Asakusa Park,

Asukayama Park is a public park in Kita, Tokyo, Japan. History In the early eighteenth century, shōgun Tokugawa Yoshimune planted many cherry trees in the area and opened up the land for the enjoyment of the " Edokko" or citizens of Tokyo. The park was f ...

, Fukagawa Park,

Shiba Park is a public park in Minato, Tokyo, Japan built around the temple of Zōjō-ji. The park is located between the Minato municipal offices and Tokyo Tower. Many of the footpaths in the park offer excellent views of Tokyo Tower, so the park is a popu ...

, and Ueno Park). In 1911 local citizens petitioned that the shrines and forests of

Nikkō is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 80,239 in 36,531 households, and a population density of 55 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . It is a popular destination for Japanese and ...

be placed under public protection. In 1929 the National Parks Association was formed. In 1931 the first was passed. After much study and survey, in March 1934 the first parks were established — Setonaikai,

Unzen is an active volcanic group of several overlapping stratovolcanoes, near the city of Shimabara, Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island. In 1792, the collapse of one of its several lava domes triggered a megatsu ...

and Kirishima — with five more in December and a further four two years later. Three further parks were established under the old National Parks Law, in colonial Taiwan in 1937: the Tatun National Park (the smallest in Japan); Tsugitaka- Taroko National Park, (the largest); and Niitaka-

Arisan An ''arisan'' is a form of Rotating Savings and Credit Association in Indonesian culture, a form of Microfinance. Generally the ''arisan'' is a social gathering that takes place at a fixed interval (this being an informal social network this may ...

National Park (with the highest mountain in then Japan).

Ise-Shima The region of Japan, also called the , refers to the areas of eastern Mie Prefecture in or around Ise-Shima National Park, which include the cities Ise, Toba, Shima, and parts of the town of Minami-Ise. The area thrives on tourism, with many res ...

was the first to be created after the

war War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...

, and a further seven had been added by 1955. In 1957 the Natural Parks Law replaced the earlier National Parks Law, allowing for three categories: the National, Quasi-National, and Prefectural Natural Parks. With minor amendments this established the framework that operates today. As of 1 April 2014, there were 31 National Parks and 56 Quasi-National Parks, with the National Parks covering 20,996 km² (5.6% of the land area) and the Quasi-National Parks 13,592 km² (3.6% of the land area). In addition, there were 314 Prefectural Parks covering 19,726 km² (5.2% of the land area). On 27 March 2015, the 32nd National Park was established,

Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park is a national park in Niigata Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Established in 2015, and formerly part of Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park, the park comprises an area of in the municipalities of Itoigawa and Myōkō in Niigata Prefec ...

, on 15 September 2016, the 33rd,

Yanbaru National Park is a national park in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Established in 2016, it is located in and around the forested region of Yanbaru at the northern end of Okinawa Island. The park comprises a land area of in the villages of Kunigami, Ōgimi, and ...

, and on 7 March 2017, the 34th, Amami Guntō National Park, subsuming

Amami Guntō Quasi-National Park The The name ''Amami-guntō'' was standardized on February 15, 2010. Prior to that, another name, ''Amami shotō'' (奄美諸島), was also used. is an archipelago in the Satsunan Islands, which is part of the Ryukyu Islands, and is southwest o ...

. On 25 March 2016, a further Quasi-National Park was established,

Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Administration Like all quasi-national parks in Japan, the park is managed by the local prefectural governments. Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park is administered by Kyoto Prefecture. ...

, on 27 March 2020, Chūō Alps Quasi-National Park, and, on 30 March 2021, the 58th,

Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in eastern Hokkaidō, Japan. Established in 2021, the park spans the municipalities of Akkeshi, Hamanaka, Kushiro, and Shibecha. It subsumes and replaces the former Akkeshi Prefectural Natural Park, established in ...

Protection status

The area of each National and Quasi-National Park is divided into ordinary, special and marine park zones. Special zones are further subdivided into special protection and class I, II, and III special zones, restricting access and use for preservation purposes. The state owns only approximately half of the land in the parks.

Map of National Parks

This map shows the locations of the national parks in Japan. Note

Ogasawara National Park is a national park in the Ogasawara Islands, located approximately one thousand kilometres to the south of Tokyo, Japan. The park was established in 1972 within the Municipalities of Japan, municipality of Ogasawara, Tokyo, Ogasawara, itself pa ...

is not visible on the map.

List of
National Parks A national park is a natural park in use for conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments. Often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual ...

List of Quasi-National Parks

Hokkaidō

Abashiri Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in Japan.List of Quasi-National Parks
''Ministry o ...

* Hidaka-sanmyaku Erimo Quasi-National Park *

Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in the Shiribeshi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan.List of ...

* Ōnuma Quasi-National Park *

Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in Hokkaidō, Japan.List of Quasi-National Parks
...

Tōhoku

Shimokita Hantō Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of far northern Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. The park, consists of several discontinuou ...

Tsugaru Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in Aomori Prefecture in the far northern Tōhoku region of Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. The park includes a number of discontinuous areas on Tsugaru Peninsula, ...

Hayachine Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in central Iwate Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category II) according to the IUCN. Established in 1982, the park's central features are Mount Hayachine () a ...

Kurikoma Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park that extends between Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata Prefectures, Japan. Established in 1968, the central feature of the park is at . It is rated a protected landscape (category II) according to the IUCN. Like ...

* Minami-Sanriku Kinkazan Quasi-National Park *

Zaō Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park that extends in the Ōu Mountains between Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures, Japan. Established in 1963, the central feature of the park is Mount Zaō. It is rated a protected landscape (Category V) according to the IUC ...

Oga Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park on the Oga Peninsula, in Akita Prefecture, in far northwestern Japan. The park is wholly within the city of Oga. It is rated a protected landscape (Category V) according to the IUCN. The area was designated a quasi-nat ...

* Chōkai Quasi-National Park

Kantō

Suigō-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in the Kantō region of Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. Geography Suigō-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park covers an area in southeast Ibaraki Prefecture and north ...

Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in the Kantō region of Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. The park includes numerous widely separated portions of the coastal areas of southern Bōsō Peninsula, r ...

Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park is located around Mount Takao in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1967 to commemorate the centennial celebrations of the accession of Emperor Meiji, it is the smallest of the Quasi-National Parks. Next in size is the coeval Meiji no Mo ...

Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in the Kantō region of Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. The park includes the Tanzawa Mountains, Miyagase Dam and its surrounding forests, Hayato Great Falls, and th ...

Chūbu

Echigo Sanzan-Tadami Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Fukushima Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Designated on 15 May 1973, it has an area of . See also * List of national parks of Japan and in Japan are places of scenic beauty designated for protection ...

* Myōgi-Arafune-Saku Kōgen Quasi-National Park * Sado-Yahiko-Yoneyama Quasi-National Park *

Noto Hantō Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park covering a portion of Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. in the northern half of Ishikawa Prefecture, extends a ...

* Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park *

Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park on Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. The park includes the Yatsugatake Mountains and the surrounding lava plateaus: Tateshina plateau, Kirigamine, and Utsukushigahar ...

Tenryū-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in the Tōkai region of Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. The park includes the Tenryū-kyō Gorge of the upper Tenryū River in Iida, Sakuma Dam and its surrounding ...

* Chūō Alps Quasi-National Park *

Ibi-Sekigahara-Yōrō Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in southwest Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The park was established in 1970. Attractions , Ibi River, , Mount Ikeda, Mount Yōrō, Sekigahara Battlefield, Tōkai Nature Trail, Yōrō Falls Related municipalities Ibigaw ...

* Hida-Kisogawa Quasi-National Park *

Aichi Kōgen Quasi-National Park is a quasi-national park in the Tōkai region of Honshū in Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category III) according to the IUCN. As with neighboring Hida-Kisogawa Quasi-National Park and Tenryū-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park the park ...

Mikawa Wan Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It is rated a protected landscape (category V) according to the IUCN. The park includes the coastal areas of Atsumi Peninsula, the Pacific shoreline of Chita Peninsula as well as islands and ...

Kansai

Suzuka Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Mie and Shiga Prefectures, Japan. It was established in 1968. Sites of interest * Mount Gozaisho, Suzuka Mountains Related municipalities * Mie: Iga, Inabe, Kameyama, Komono, Suzuka, Yokkaichi * Shiga: Higash ...

Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Fukui and Kyōto Prefectures, Japan. Established in 1955, the central feature of the park is the ria coast of Wakasa Bay. In 2005 an area of of wetland in the Mikata Lakes was designated a Ramsar Site. Sites of ...

Tango-Amanohashidate-Ōeyama Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in northern Kyōto Prefecture, Japan. Established in 2007, the park comprises a number of non-contiguous areas of the former Tango Province, with a central focus on and Amanohashidate, one of the Three Views of Japan ...

* Biwako Quasi-National Park *

Murō-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Mie and Nara Prefectures, Japan. It was established in 1970. Places of interest * Mie: , , , * Nara: Mount Takami, , , Murō-ji, Ōno-ji Related municipalities * Mie: Iga, Matsusaka, Nabari, Tsu * Nara: Hig ...

Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Nara, Ōsaka, and Wakayama Prefectures, Japan. It was established in 1958. Places of interest * Mount Ikoma, Mount Kongō, , , Hōzan-ji, Taima-dera, , the burial place of Shōtoku Taishi, the ruins of , Chihay ...

* Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park * Kōya-Ryūjin Quasi-National Park * Meiji no Mori Minō Quasi-National Park *

Chūgoku and Shikoku

* Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park * Hiba-Dōgo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park * Nishi-Chūgoku Sanchi Quasi-National Park * Kita Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park * Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park *

Tsurugisan Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park that spans the borders of Tokushima and Kōchi Prefectures, Japan. It was founded on 3 March 1964 and has an area of . Within Tokushima Prefecture, the park includes a stretch of the Yoshino River and the Iya Valley ...

Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park on the coast of Kōchi Prefecture and Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. It was founded on 1 June 1964 and has an area of . See also * List of national parks of Japan and in Japan are places of scenic beauty designated ...

Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Ehime Prefecture and Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. It was founded on 1 November 1955 and has an area of . The park's central feature is the eponymous Mount Ishizuchi. Related municipalities * Ehime Prefecture: Kumakōge ...

Kyūshū

* Kitakyūshū Quasi-National Park *

Genkai Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park on the Genkai coast of Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, and Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It was founded on June 1, 1956 and has an area of . See also * List of national parks of Japan and in Japan are place ...

* Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park * Iki-Tsushima Quasi-National Park *

Kyūshū Chūō Sanchi Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park in Kumamoto Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. It was founded on 15 May 1982 and has an area of . The park includes Aya Biosphere Reserve in its territory. See also * List of national parks of Japan and i ...

Nippō Kaigan Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park on the coast of Ōita and Miyazaki Prefectures, Japan. It was established in 1974. Related municipalities * Miyazaki: Hyūga, Kadogawa, Nobeoka * Ōita: Ōita, Saiki, Tsukumi, Usuki See also * List of nation ...

* Sobo Katamuki Quasi-National Park *

Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park on the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. It was founded on 1 June 1955 and has an area of . See also * List of national parks of Japan and in Japan are places of scenic beauty designate ...

Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park on the coast of Okinawa and the Kerama Islands, Japan. It was established as a Prefectural Park in 1965 and re-designated with the return of Okinawa to Japanese administration in 1972. See also * List of national park ...

Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park is a Quasi-National Park around the battlefields of south Okinawa, Japan. It was established as a Prefectural Park in 1965 and redesignated with the return of Okinawa to Japanese administration in 1972. See also * List of national parks of J ...

References

External links

National Parks of Japan
( Ministry of the Environment) {{Authority control

National parks A national park is a natural park in use for conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments. Often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual ...