Natural Parks Day

What Is Natural Parks Day?

Every July 21st is "Natural Parks Day" (自然公園の日, Shizen Kōen no Hi) in Japan. On July 21, 1957, Japan's Natural Parks Law (自然公園法, Shizen Kōen Hō) was enacted — establishing the comprehensive legal framework for Japan's system of national parks (国立公園), quasi-national parks (国定公園), and prefectural natural parks (都道府県立自然公園). The day was designated in 1987 by the Environment Agency (now the Ministry of the Environment) to promote public appreciation and responsible use of Japan's protected natural areas.

Japan's Natural Parks System

Japan's Natural Parks Law provides the foundation for a three-tier system of protected natural areas: 34 national parks (managed by the national government), 58 quasi-national parks (management shared between national and prefectural governments), and 316 prefectural natural parks (managed by prefectures). Together, these areas protect approximately 14% of Japan's land area — encompassing the country's most spectacular natural landscapes, from Hokkaido's alpine wilderness and Okinawa's coral reefs to the iconic volcanic scenery of Mt. Fuji and the ancient forests of Yakushima.

The Challenge of Protection vs. Access

Japan's natural parks face the challenge common to protected areas worldwide: balancing conservation with public access and local economic development. Japan's parks are heavily visited — Nikko National Park, Bandai-Asahi National Park, and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park each attract millions of visitors annually. Managing this visitation while protecting the ecological values that make the parks worth visiting requires sophisticated planning, infrastructure investment, and visitor management.

Biodiversity in Japan's Parks

Japan's geographic position and varied climate support extraordinary biodiversity. Japan's national parks protect habitats for brown bears (Hokkaido), Japanese macaques (throughout Japan), Amami rabbit (Amami islands), Okinawan rail, Blakiston's fish owl (Shiretoko), and many endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Several of Japan's national parks also contain UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Shiretoko (2005), Ogasawara Islands (2011) — recognizing their outstanding universal natural value.

Fun Facts

• Ogasawara Islands: The Ogasawara Islands national park (小笠原国立公園) — approximately 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo — is often called "Japan's Galápagos" for its extraordinary endemic biodiversity, developed in isolation over millions of years. The islands are accessible only by a 25-hour ferry journey from Tokyo.
• Mt. Fuji overtourism: Mt. Fuji's extraordinary popularity as both a national park and UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site (designated 2013 for its cultural significance) has created significant overtourism challenges, prompting new crowd management measures including summit gate fees and trail closures.