Honoring Japan's Natural Parks Day

One of the commemorations of July 21st annually is Natural (Nature) Park Day 自然公園の日 (Shizen kōen no hi), marking the establishment of Japan's Natural Parks Law on this day in 1957. It is a commemorative anniversary, but interestingly it is not listed on the official Japan Anniversary Association website.

The landmark legislation was created to protect Japan's most treasured landscapes, from soaring mountain ranges to quiet costal marshes. But in such a way that ensures people can still enjoy them safely and responsibly. The Natural Parks Foundation oversees much of this work, handling facility upkeep, trail maintenance, large-scale cleaning and regular patrols.  They also collect parking fees that are reinvested into conversation. In addition, they publish education materials to help visitors learn about Japan's protected landscapes.

Together, the law and the Foundation preserve biodiversity, support outdoor recreation, and safeguard scenic areas for future generations. While I would love to embrace this anniversary and visit a natural park today, the truth is it is just far too hot! Moreover, while Saitama has a National Park, we have no Natural Parks. There are relatively few nationwide - with the official website listing only 23, including Hakone which is pictured in this post.