The national parks of Japan (Kokuritsu Kōen) and quasi-national parks (Kokutei Kōen) are natural areas designated for protection and sustainable use by the Minister of the Environment according to the Natural Parks Law of 1957. National parks are designated and primarily managed by the Ministry of the Environment, while quasi-national parks, which may have slightly less beauty, size, diversity, or conservation status, are recommended for ministerial designation and are managed by the prefectures under the ministry’s supervision.
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List of National Parks in Japan
History of the Protection of Japanese National Parks
The history of national parks in Japan dates back to 1873, when the first kōen or public parks were established, including Asakusa Park, Asukayama Park, Fukagawa Park, Shiba Park, and Ueno Park. In 1911, local citizens requested protection for the shrines and forests of Nikkō. In 1929, the National Parks Association was created, followed in 1931 by the approval of the first National Parks Law. In March 1934, the first parks were established, followed by several more in subsequent years, including three in colonial Taiwan in 1937.
After the war, the first national park, Ise-Shima, was created, and seven more were added in 1955. In 1957, the Natural Parks Law replaced the previous one, establishing three categories: national, quasi-national, and prefectural natural parks. This law set the framework that remains in place today.
By April 2014, Japan had 31 national parks and 56 quasi-national parks, covering approximately 5.6% and 3.6% of the country’s land area, respectively. Additionally, there were 314 prefectural parks covering approximately 5.2% of the land area. Since then, more parks have been established, including Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park in 2015, Yanbaru National Park in 2016, and Amami Guntō National Park in 2017, which incorporated the former Amami Guntō Quasi-National Park. In subsequent years, more quasi-national parks have been established, expanding the network of protected areas in Japan.
National Parks by Region and Protected Area
| Name | Established | Region | Area [ha] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akan Mashu National Park | 1934 | Hokkaido | 90,481 hectares (223,580 acres) |
| Minami Alps National Park | 1964 | Chubu | 35,752 hectares (88,350 acres) |
| Amami Guntō National Park | 2017 | Kyushu | 42,181 hectares (104,230 acres) |
| Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park | 1972 | Shikoku | 11,345 hectares (28,030 acres) |
| Aso Kujū National Park | 1934 | Kyushu | 72,678 hectares (179,590 acres) |
| Bandai-Asahi National Park | 1950 | Tohoku | 186,389 hectares (460,580 acres) |
| Chichibu Tama Kai National Park | 1950 | Kantō | 126,259 hectares (311,990 acres) |
| Chūbu-Sangaku National Park | 1934 | Chubu | 174,323 hectares (430,760 acres) |
| Daisen-Oki National Park | 1936 | Chugoku | 35,353 hectares (87,360 acres) |
| Daisetsuzan National Park | 1934 | Hokkaido | 226,764 hectares (560,350 acres) |
| Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park | 1936 | Kantō | 121,695 hectares (300,710 acres) |
| Hakusan National Park | 1962 | Chubu | 11,345 hectares (28,030 acres) |
| Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park | 1972 | Kyushu | 40,653 hectares (100,460 acres) |
| Ise-Shima National Park | 1946 | Kinky | 55,544 hectares (137,250 acres) |
| Jōshin’etsu-kōgen National Park | 1949 | Kantō | 148,194 hectares (366,200 acres) |
| Kerama Shoto National Park | 2014 | Kyushu | 3,520 hectares (8,700 acres) |
| Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park | 1934 | Kyushu | 36,586 hectares (90,410 acres) |
| Kushiro-shitsugen National Park | 1987 | Hokkaido | 28,788 hectares (71,140 acres) |
| Myōkō-Togakushi Renzan National Park | 2015 | Chubu | 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 | Tohoku and Kanto | 37,200 hectares (92,000 acres) |
| Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park | 1974 | Hokkaido | 24,166 hectares (59,720 acres) |
| Saikai National Park | 1955 | Kyushu | 24,646 hectares (60,900 acres) |
| Sanin Kaigan National Park | 1936 | Kinky | 8,783 hectares (21,700 acres) |
| Sanriku Fukkō National Park | 1955 | Tohoku | 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 | Hokkaido | 99,473 hectares (245,800 acres) |
| Shiretoko National Park | 1964 | Hokkaido | 38,636 hectares (95,470 acres) |
| Towada-Hachimantai National Park | 1936 | Tohoku | 85,534 hectares (211,360 acres) |
| Unzen-Amakusa National Park | 1934 | Ky
ushu |
28,279 hectares (69,880 acres) |
| Yakushima National Park | 2012 | Kyushu | 32,553 hectares (80,440 acres) |
| Yanbaru National Park | 2016 | Kyushu | 13,622 hectares (33,660 acres) |
| Yoshino-Kumano National Park | 1936 | Kinky | 61,406 hectares (151,740 acres) |