List of national parks of Japan

National Parks (国立公園, Kokuritsu Kōen) and Quasi-National Parks (国定公園, Kokutei Kōen, lit. Nationally designated parks) in Japan are designated reserves of land, declared by the Ministry of the Environment under its National Parks Law. National Parks are directly administered by the Ministry of the Environment while Quasi-National Parks are managed by local prefectures under the supervision of the Ministry. Quasi-National parks receive their designation by the Ministry of Environment on the basis that they are places of national beauty or have the potential to serve as a resort for nearby urban areas.

The first national parks were established in 1934, while the Natural Parks Law, which regulates national, quasi-national and other public parks, was enacted in 1957. As of August 2007, there were 29 National Parks and 56 Quasi-National Parks in 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).

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.

List of National Parks Hokkaidō Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park Shiretoko National Park Daisetsuzan National Park Akan National Park Kushiro Shitsugen National Park Shikotsu-Toya National Park Tohoku Towada-Hachimantai National Park Rikuchu Kaigan National Park Bandai-Asahi National Park Kantō Nikkō National Park Oze National Park Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park Joshinetsu Kogen National Park Ogasawara National Park Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Chūbu Chūbu-Sangaku National Park Hakusan National Park Minami Alps National Park Kansai Ise-Shima National Park Yoshino-Kumano National Park Chūgoku & Shikoku Sanin Kaigan National Park Daisen-Oki National Park Setonaikai National Park Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park Kyūshū Saikai National Park Unzen-Amakusa National Park Aso-Kuju National Park Kirishima-Yaku National Park Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park

List of Quasi-National Parks Hokkaidō Abashiri Quasi-National Park Hidaka Sanmyaku-Erimo Quasi-National Park Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park Ōnuma Quasi-National Park Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park Tohoku Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park Tsugaru Quasi-National Park Hayachine Quasi-National Park Kurikoma Quasi-National Park Minami-Sanriku Kinkazan Quasi-National Park Zao Quasi-National Park Oga Quasi-National Park Chokai Quasi-National Park Kantō Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park Minami Boso Quasi-National Park Meiji Memorial Forest Takao Quasi-National Park Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park Chūbu 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-Kisogawa Quasi-National Park Aichi Kogen Quasi-National Park Mikawawan Quasi-National Park Kansai Suzuka Quasi-National Park Wakasawan Quasi-National Park Tango-Amanohashidate-Oeyama Quasi-National Park Biwako Quasi-National Park Muroo-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park Kongo-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park Koya-Ryujin Quasi-National Park Meiji Memorial Forest Minoo Quasi-National Park Chūgoku and Shikoku Hyōnosen-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 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 Kaigan Quasi-National Park Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park

External links

• Ministry of the Environment
• National location map of parks