National parks (国立公園,Kokuritsu Kōen) and quasi-national parks (国定公園,Kokutei Kōen) ofJapan are places of scenic beauty that are designated for protection and sustainable use by theMinister of the Environment under the Natural Parks Law (自然公園法) of 1957.[1] 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 theprefectures under the supervision of the ministry.[2]
Japan established its firstkōen (公園) or public parks in 1873 (Asakusa Park,Asukayama Park,Fukagawa Park,Shiba Park, andUeno Park). In 1911 local citizens petitioned that the shrines and forests ofNikkō be placed under public protection. In 1929 the National Parks Association was formed. In 1931 the first National Parks Law (国立公園法) was passed. After much study and survey, in March 1934 the first parks were established —Setonaikai,Unzen andKirishima — with five more in December and a further four two years later. Three further parks were established under the old National Parks Law, incolonial Taiwan in 1937: theTatun National Park (the smallest in Japan);Tsugitaka-Taroko National Park, (the largest); andNiitaka-Arisan National Park (with the highest mountain in then Japan).[3]
Ise-Shima was the first to be created after thewar, 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.[4][5]
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).[6] On 27 March 2015, the 32nd national park was established,Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park,[7] on 15 September 2016, the 33rd,Yanbaru National Park, and on 7 March 2017, the 34th,Amami Guntō National Park, subsumingAmami Guntō Quasi-National Park.[8][9] On 25 March 2016, a further quasi-national park was established,Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park, on 27 March 2020,Chūō Alps Quasi-National Park, and, on 30 March 2021, the 58th,Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park.[10][11] On 25 June 2024, Hidaka-sanmyaku Erimo Quasi-National Park was redesignatedHidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park, making it the 35th national park.[12]
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.[13]
This map shows the locations of the national parks in Japan. NoteOgasawara National Park is not visible on the map.
| Name | Established | Region | Area [ha] | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akan Mashu National Park | 1934 | Hokkaidō | 90,481 hectares (223,580 acres) |  |
| Minami Alps National Park | 1964 | Chūbu | 35,752 hectares (88,350 acres) |  |
| Amami Guntō National Park | 2017 | Kyūshū | 42,181 hectares (104,230 acres) |  |
| Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park | 1972 | Shikoku | 11,345 hectares (28,030 acres) |  |
| Aso Kujū National Park | 1934 | Kyūshū | 72,678 hectares (179,590 acres) |  |
| Bandai-Asahi National Park | 1950 | Tōhoku | 186,389 hectares (460,580 acres) |  |
| Chichibu Tama Kai National Park | 1950 | Kantō | 126,259 hectares (311,990 acres) |  |
| Chūbu-Sangaku National Park | 1934 | Chūbu | 174,323 hectares (430,760 acres) |  |
| Daisen-Oki National Park | 1936 | Chūgoku | 35,353 hectares (87,360 acres) |  |
| Daisetsuzan National Park | 1934 | Hokkaidō | 226,764 hectares (560,350 acres) |  |
| Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park | 1936 | Kantō | 121,695 hectares (300,710 acres) |  |
| Hakusan National Park | 1962 | Chūbu | 11,345 hectares (28,030 acres) |  |
| Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park | 2024 | Hokkaido | 245,668 hectares (607,060 acres) |  |
| Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park | 1972 | Kyūshū | 40,653 hectares (100,460 acres) |  |
| Ise-Shima National Park | 1946 | Kinki | 55,544 hectares (137,250 acres) |  |
| Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park | 1949 | Kantō | 148,194 hectares (366,200 acres) |  |
| Kerama Shotō National Park | 2014 | Kyūshū | 3,520 hectares (8,700 acres) |  |
| Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park | 1934 | Kyūshū | 36,586 hectares (90,410 acres) |  |
| Kushiro-shitsugen National Park | 1987 | Hokkaidō | 28,788 hectares (71,140 acres) |  |
| Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park | 2015 | Chūbu | 39,772 hectares (98,280 acres) |  |
| Nikkō National Park | 1934 | Kantō | 114,908 hectares (283,940 acres) |  |
| Ogasawara National Park | 1972 | Kantō | 6,629 hectares (16,380 acres) |  |
| Oze National Park | 1972 | Tōhoku andKantō | 37,200 hectares (92,000 acres) |  |
| Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park | 1974 | Hokkaidō | 24,166 hectares (59,720 acres) |  |
| Saikai National Park | 1955 | Kyūshū | 24,646 hectares (60,900 acres) |  |
| Sanin Kaigan National Park | 1936 | Kinki | 8,783 hectares (21,700 acres) |  |
| Sanriku Fukkō National Park | 1955 | Tōhoku | 28,537 hectares (70,520 acres) |  |
| Setonaikai National Park | 1934 | Kinki,Chūgoku,Shikoku,Kyushu (Joint management) | 67,242 hectares (166,160 acres) |  |
| Shikotsu-Tōya National Park | 1949 | Hokkaidō | 99,473 hectares (245,800 acres) |  |
| Shiretoko National Park | 1964 | Hokkaidō | 38,636 hectares (95,470 acres) |  |
| Towada-Hachimantai National Park | 1936 | Tōhoku | 85,534 hectares (211,360 acres) |  |
| Unzen-Amakusa National Park | 1934 | Kyūshū | 28,279 hectares (69,880 acres) |  |
| Yakushima National Park | 2012 | Kyūshū | 32,553 hectares (80,440 acres) |  |
| Yanbaru National Park | 2016 | Kyūshū | 13,622 hectares (33,660 acres) |  |
| Yoshino-Kumano National Park | 1936 | Kinki | 61,406 hectares (151,740 acres) |  |
Authority control databases: National |
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