IUCN Management Category V (Protected Landscape)

Biogeographical Province 2.02.02. (Japanese Evergreen Forest)

Geographical Location The park is located on south central Honshu, west of Yokahama. The areas consists of four main separate parts centred around Hakone and Gotenba. Fuji area: 35°14'-35°34'N, 138°32'-138°56'E; Hakone area: 35°10'-35 17'N, 138°57'-139°08'E; Izu peninsular area: 34°36'-35°10'N, 138°45'-139°09'E; Izu Seven Island area: Coshima, Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejimo, Kozushima, Miyakejima, Mikurojima and Hachijojima 34°40'N, 139°00'E). 33°03'-34°48'N, 139°05'-139°51'E.

Date and History of Establishment The National Park was created on 1 February 1936, and designated by the Natural Parks Act (Protection of places of scenic beauty). All development is controlled within the Park under Articles 17, 18 and 20 of the Natural Parks Act. The park was enlarged in 1938, 1955 and 1964. Two zones exist 95.7% (117,042.7ha) multiple use areas and 4.3% (5,266.3ha) wilderness areas. The Izu islands were included within the park boundary in 1964 and immediately a zoning system was set up ("special protected areas" through to "normal" areas).

Area 122,686ha (7,951ha special protected area)

Land Tenure 21,958.7ha state land, 52,703.1ha public land; 47,647.2ha in private ownership

Altitude Sea level to 3,776m

Physical Features Mount Fuji, is the highest mountain in Japan (3,776m), and rises directly from the plains, dwarfing the surrounding foothills. The mountain is distinctly cone shaped and volcanic in origin, but has remained dormant since 1707 (the first recorded eruption was in 800 AD). Only one cone on the eastern rim shows any sign of activity at present, occasionally producing hot vapours. Landslides are common on the lower slopes, which are dotted with lava caves and scattered with magnetic rocks. The base of the mountain is marked by a number of lakes, and an interesting waterfall, Shiraito, which forms from an underground stream falling directly from an outlet in the cliff face. Mount Hakone (1,327m) 20-30km to the south-east is a highly eroded and worn down triple coned volcano. It is now extinct, but is rich in hot springs and possesses a caldera lake - Ashinoko (lake of reeds) on the plateau at 723m. This lake, which is 13 miles in circumference (7 sq.km) and 45m deep, is reported to never freeze. The rivers issuing from the lake are Hayakamo and Sukumo. The Amagi mountain range in the Izu peninsular (of which the coast and part of the mountain are in the park) was originally a volcanic island, but became joined to the mainland when the rocks of the area were uplifted and tilted. The highest area, Mt. Izu, is 1,407m high. The coast is lined with cliffs and has many marine caves. The Izu Island chain is a series of volcanic islands extending 185km southwards from Izu peninsular. One of the four active volcanoes, Miyake, has erupted 14 times since 1085 AD. Its most recent eruption was in 1983. The warm Kuroshio currents have a major influence on the environment of the Izu islands. Coral reefs occur at a number of locations, including the north-west coast of Miyake island (IUCN, 1975; Kangawa Prefectural Government, 1972; Sutherland and Britton, 1980; NCB, 1985).

Climate The climate varies from alpine in the mountains to subtropical warm temperate on the southern Izu isles. Annual temperatures vary from 22.9°C (Fuji-Hakone) and 27°C (Izu, Hachijo Islands) in August to 0.5°C (Fuji-Hakone) and 10.5°C (Izu, Hachijo Islands) in January. Annual precipitation is from 3231 to 3303mm, the Izu Islands being the wetter area (Miyake 3000mm). The temperature of the coastal waters around the Izu islands ranges from 14°C in February to 27°C in July. Snow falls on the mainland mountains during the winter period.

Vegetation The habitats of the park range from virgin forest to alpine vegetation above the tree line of 2,500m. Mount Fuji has virgin forests on its lower slopes, dominated by Japanese cedar Cryptomeria japonica, Japanese cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa, red pine Pinus densiflora, firs Abies homolepsis and A. veitchii, hemlock Tsuga diversifolia, spruces Picea polita and P. jezoensis var. hondoensis and some larch Larix kaempferi. Deciduous forests include Zelkova serrata, wild cherry Prunus serrulata var spontanea, Cynoxylon japonica and azaleas Rhododendron japonicum and R. fauriae (Kangawa Prefectural Govt., 1972; IUCN, 1975). The Izu peninsular has a flora similar to Hakone with its diversity of virgin forests of Podocarpus macrophyllus, Sewara cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera, black pine Pinus thundergii, camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora and bamboo Phyllostachys reticulata. The Izu Seven Island area is represented by P. thunbergii, Quercus glauca, pasania Castanopsis cuspidata var. siebold and Prunus lannesiana var. speciosa, Ilex crenata var. typica, Rhododendron tsusiophyllum and Camellia japonica var. spontanea (Suzuki, 1956; Higuchi, 1973; IUCN, 1975; NCB, 1985). Colonising scrub species on recent lava flows include Alnus sieboldiana with stachyurus praecox var. matsuzakii, Ficus erecta and Mallotus japonicus (Moyer et al., 1975). Other typical species are Picea polita, boxwood Buxus microphylla var. japonica and unique Ericaceous Tsusiophyllum tanakae (IUCN, 1975). Several of the islands are noted for the spider lily Crinum asiaticum communities as well as Carici-Castanopsietum sieboldii associations of Castanopsis and Machilus. On Mt. Hakone, the caldera lake is found on a grassy plateau, with Cryptomeria beside the lake. 518 species of vascular plant have been recorded on Miyake island (Suzuki, 1956) of which 21 species or varieties are endemic to the Izu archipelago. More than 100 species of tropical marine algae have been founf at Miyake-jima (Moyer et al., 1985).

Fauna The largely palaearctic type of mammal fauna includes Japanese macaque Macaca fuscata fuscata, various bats Chiroptera, Japanese dormouse Glirulus japonicus, wild pig Sus scrofa leucomystax, and Honshu sika Cervus nippon centralis. The bird fauna within the park is very diverse. On the slopes of Mt. Fuji typical breeding species include Siberian bluechat Tarsiger cyanurus, nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes and eastern crowned willow warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis (Martin et al., 1980; also see Robinson, 1987 for a species list). On the shore of Lake Ashi the most representative species are yellow-throated bunting Emberiza elegans, Latham's snipe Gallinago hardwickii and Japanese copper pheasant Phasianus soemmerringii (Martin, et al., 1980). Other species include Butastur indicus, Japanese sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis (IUCN, 1975). The Izu islands are the chief breeding-site for Japanese auk or murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume (IUCN, 1975). The islands also possess Japanese woodpigeon Columba janthina (a scarce species with a very limited range), Pygmy woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki matsudairai, paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata and Seven Islands thrush Turdus celaenops (Ionescu et al., 1985). The southern Izu islands are also the only known breeding area for Izu island thrush Turdus celaenops, Ijima willow warbler Phylloscops ijimae and one of the last sites for short-tailed albatross Diomedea albatrus (Martin et al., 1980). The herpetofauna of the Izu isles though poor includes an endemic Eumeces okadae, and on the mainland also possess snake Elaphe quadri virgata (Moyer et al., 1985). Miyake-jima is the northern most area for coral in Japan. Some 91 species from 44 genera of shallow water scleractinian corals have been identified. The dominant families are the Faviidae (23 species), Acroporidae (17 species) and Poritidae (ten species). (Moyer et al, 1985). Reef fish include six endemic species (4 Callioymidae and two Soleidae) which are dependent upon a habitat of mixed coral and relatively coarse coral and volcanic sands and/or rubble (Moyer et al., 1985). The fish fauna of the Izu archipelago is extremely diverse. There are 19 species of cardinal fish (Apogonidae), 35 species of damsel fish (Pomencentridae), 22 species of butterfly fish (Chaetodontidae) and 13 species of angel fish (Pomacanthidae). The endemic fish species include the garden eel Gorgasia japonica (IUCN, 1975; Moyer et al., 1985; Wells pers. comm., 1987).

Cultural Heritage Mount Fuji is one of the three most sacred mountains of Japan. Its name is derived fron fuchi, "fire", in the aboriginal Ainu language. The Sengen shrine built at its summit was constructed in 1604 and still represents the centre of the Fuji-ko cult for two million pilgrims. Other temples include the Saunji temple, built in 1521, the Hakone shrines of 757 AD and the 1293-1295 AD Buddha carved into the cliff-face at Shogin-ike near Mt. Futago (Sutherland and Britton, 1980).

Local Human Population The park has a fairly high resident human population, the densest areas being around Gotenbam Odawora, Ito and Numayu on the perimeter. The economy of the area is based upon tourism, forestry, agriculture and livestock rearing. Fishing is an important industry on the coats and on the Izu islands. All of the main islands are inhabited (Sutherland and Britton, 1980).

Visitors and Visitor Facilities There were records of over 20.55 million visitors in 1972, the highest number of people visiting any national park in the world (IUCN, 1975; Sutherland and Britton, 1980). For this reason there is an enormous range of facilities including hotels, inns, camp and picnic grounds, mountain and nature trails, cable cars at Hakone, Hakone open air museum, visitor centres, Owakidani natural history museum, Tokaido historic craft museum, a botanic garden of native plants, sightseeing boats, aquariums, golf courses and ice rinks (Sutherland and Britton, 1980; Robinson, 1987). The major Seven Islands can be reached by sea or air from Tokyo. Fuji is officially open to the general public only during July and August to reduce tourist pressure. Osgima and Hachijo islands are popular resorts for deep sea fishing, golf and horseback riding. The smaller islands are almost inaccessible to visitors except Miyaka-jima - "bird" island which is visited for its avifauna (Sutherland and Britton, 1980; Robinson, 1987).

Scientific Research and Facilities A diversity of studies have been undertaken within the park such as vegetation surveys by the Environment Agency (1973), continuous meteorological observations at the Mt. Fuji weather station, environmental impact assessment of road construction, 1973-75, by the Nature Conservation Society on behalf of the Environment Agency and ornithological surveys by the Wild Bird Society of Japan (Higuchi, 1973). Studies of coral and the marine environment have been undertaken by the Tatsuo Tunaka Memorial Biological Station on Miyake islands (Moyer et al., 1985).

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management Although set up largely for its recreational value the park is important for protecting the unique wildlife of the area. On the Izu archipelago are unique terrestrial and marine environments with at least 21 species or varieties of endemic plant, a further four species are common on the archipelgo (but extinct on the main islands of Japan) and there is also a rare woodland association (Castanopsis-Machilus forest). There are two endemic bird species on the Izu archipelago (Izu island thrush and Ijima willow warbler), threatened Japanese wood pigeon and endangered short-tailed albatross. The area also has some of the highest bird population densities in Japan. The marine environment is also unique. Although at a temperate latitude the islands' marine flora and fauna are characterised by a predominently tropical element. Miyake-jima represents the highest known latitude at which coral reef development has been recorded and in the area there are at least eight endemic species of reef fish (Moyer et al., 1985). Proposals have been made for the establishment of a bird sanctuary and marine park on Miyake-jima. The bird sanctuary, proposed by the Wild Bird Society of Japan would be the first of a network in the country (Sutherland and Britton, 1980; Moyer et al., 1985).

Management Constraints The dense population of the region, ease of access and extreme pressure from tourists present many problems to the mainland park around Fuji-San. The Izu islands are also threatened. They are becoming increasing affected by deforestation and re-afforestation by Cryptomeria japonica. In 1986 permission was granted for the construction of a military airport at the centre of a proposed bird sanctuary "wilderness area" on Miyake-jima. The impact upon the environment is believed to include disturbance of the endemic breeding birds and soil run off killing the fring coral reefs. The permission for establishing the runway may seriously undermine the concept of the National Park system in Japan (Moyer et al., 1985).

Staff In 1975 there were 33 full-time staff (a superintendent and seven rangers of the Environment Agency; 18 Prefectural officers of the Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefectural Governments; seven patrol men of the Kanagawa Prefectural Government); 18 seasonal staff (14 patrol men of the Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectural Government; four naturalists of the Kanagawa Prefectural Government) (IUCN, 1975).

Budget In the 1970s the National Park received a share of the Environment Agency's annual subvention to National Parks (total US$700,000) and US$100,000 from the Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectural Governments (IUCN, 1975).

Local Addresses

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Headquarters Office, Environment Agency, Kojiri, Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. Ranger offices at Funatsu, Summit of Mount Fuji, Namazu and Shimoda; Hakone Administrative office at Kojiri, Hakone Town; Forestry branch office at Yoshida.

References

Clark, E. (1984). Japan's Izu Oceanic Park. National Geographic. 465-491. April 1984.

Fuji Express Railway Co. Ltd. (1970). The Scientific Report of Mount Fuji. Fuji Express Railway Co. Ltd.,.(in Japanese and English).

Hakone Tourism Division (c. 1970). National Park HAKONE. Hakone Town Office, Mitsumori Printing Co., Japan.

Higuchi, H. (1973). Birds of the Izu Islands: (1) Distribution and habitat of breeding land and freshwater birds. Tori 22, pp. 14-24 (Bulletin of the Ornithological Society of Japan).

Ionescu, M and Condurateanua-fesci, S. (1985). Parcuri si rezervatii naturale pe glob. Colectia cristal, Bucuresti.

IUCN (1975) World Directory of National Parks and other protected areas. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Kangawa Prefectural Government (1972). Investigations of the Vegetation of Hakone area. Kangawa Prefectural Government.

Martin, R.P. et al., (1980). Report on a bird expedition to Japan, 8 March - 14 May 1980.

Moyer, J.T., Higuchi, H., Matsuda, Z and Hasegawa, M. (1985). Threat to unique terrestrial and marine environments and biota in a Japanese National Park. Environmental Conservation. Vol. 12. No. 4. 293-301.

Nature Conservation Bureau (1985) Nature Conservation Administration in Japan. Environmental Agency, Tokyo.

Robinson, J.W. (1987). A birder's guide to Japan. Ibis Publishing Co., California.

Shizuoka Prefectural Government (1970). The Scientific Report of Izu Peninsula. Shizuoka Prefectural Government (in Japanese).

Sutherland, M. and Britton, D. (1980). National Parks of Japan. Kodansha Internation Ltd., Tokyo.

Suzuki, T. (1956). On the plant distribution over the Izu islands (in Japanese with English summary). Bot. Mag. Tokyo, 69, pp. 598-601.

Tickell, L. and Morton, P. (1975). The Albatross of Torishima. Geographical Magazine. 359-363.

Tokyo Prefectural Government (1957). The Scientific Report of Izu Seven Islands. Tokyo Prefectural Government, (in Japanese).

Date June 1987

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