To combat overtourism, Iriomotejima island, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in Taketomi, Okinawa Prefecture, has restricted the number of visitors at some of its tourist spots since March.

In comparison, some other natural world heritage sites in Japan have lifted restrictions on tourists.

Still, the five UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites in Japan are exploring ways to protect their creature habitats and ecosystems while simultaneously boosting the local economy through tourism.

In July 2021, Amami-Oshima island, Tokunoshima island, northern Okinawa island and Iriomotejima island were added to UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Of the four, Iriomotejima island was asked to strengthen measures against overtourism by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Subsequently, the island authorities limited the number of tourists at five specific spots in need of environmental conservation.

For example, the Pinaisara waterfall, which previously attracted as many as 350 tourists a day, now has a daily limit of 200 visitors. Sangara falls is also limited to 100 daily visitors and Mount Tedou to 30.

“We made a good start without major confusion, successfully keeping tourist numbers below the limit even during the long holiday period, which is our busiest season,” said Harumi Tokuoka, former secretary-general of the Iriomote Foundation.

Tokuoka discussed taking measures against overtourism with the town of Taketomi, the Environment Ministry and local related parties.

“We’ll work on newly found issues while trying to gain the understanding of tourists and tour guides,” she said. 

The Shirakami-Sanchi mountains, which straddle Aomori and Akita prefectures, were designated as Japan’s first World Natural Heritage site in December 1993.

Visitor restrictions were introduced in the mountains in 1997 due to concerns over increased mountaineering after the designation and the environmental impact.

In the core heritage area, the Aomori side allows access only via designated trails with prior notification, while access to the area is generally prohibited on the Akita side.

EASING OR LIFTING RESTRICTIONS

Meanwhile, some World Natural Heritage sites in Japan are now reviewing their access restrictions.

Shiretoko in Hokkaido, which became a World Natural Heritage site in July 2005, has restricted the number of visitors on the pathways at Shiretoko Goko Lakes since 2011.

However, a council consisting of representatives of the Environment Ministry, the town of Shari, and the Shiretoko Nature Foundation decided in March to ease the daily cap from 500 to 700 visitors during the active brown bear season from May 10 through July, starting next season.

The decision was made because the recovery of vegetation from the damage caused by tourists walking off the trails has been confirmed.

“Walkways have been improved to protect vegetation, and tourist manners have also improved,” said Norihiko Futagami, a senior official at the Environment Ministry's Utoro office. “We will continue monitoring and implement measures to prevent bears from becoming accustomed to humans.”

In Tokyo’s Ogasawara island chain, which was designated as a World Natural Heritage site in June 2011, a cap of 100 visitors per day for visiting Minamijima island from Chichijima island by boat was lifted in June 2023.

The Tokyo metropolitan government and Ogasawara village confirmed there were no environmental conservation issues after 20 years of enforcing the rules since 2003.

Damage from tourists taking the trail to the symbolic Jomon Sugi cedar tree became an issue on Yakushima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, another World Natural Heritage site, which was registered alongside Shirakami-Sanchi in 1993.

Although a draft of an ordinance to restrict entry was proposed in the town assembly in 2011, it was rejected due to concerns that it could reduce tourist numbers.

Currently, from March to November, private vehicle access is restricted on roads leading to the entrance of a main trail to reduce the environmental impact.

NATURE GUIDES AS A SOLUTION

Despite varying approaches to visitor access regulation, a common practice is to deploy guides with expertise in local geography, ecosystems and culture. These guides help ensure tourist safety and environmental protection, aiming to realize both nature conservation and sustainable growth of the local economy.

In the five restricted areas on Iriomotejima island and during the active bear season in the Shiretoko Goko Lakes, the presence of a local guide is mandatory.

In the Ogasawara island chain, visiting Minamijima or Hahajima’s Sekimon area requires accompaniment by a guide. Yakushima island authorities are also considering requiring climbers to be led by certified guides or to attend environmental conservation briefings beforehand.

5 HERITAGE SITES MEET AT EXPO

In June, the Conference of Five Regions with World Natural Heritage Sites, which consisted of 23 municipalities from the five natural heritage sites, met at the Osaka Kansai expo venue.

The five heritage sites presented their efforts for the co-existence of humans and nature. They also issued a joint message emphasizing the need for collaboration beyond national borders in balancing environmental protection and economic activities, as well as addressing the challenges necessary to creating virtuous cycles.

The characteristics of the natural environment and the tourist trends vary among the five natural heritage sites.

“World Heritage sites are constantly under threat from development and tourism pressure," said Haruhisa Furuta, director of the Sekaiisan Research Institute. "It is crucial for natural and cultural heritage sites to exchange information and work together to address common challenges through collective wisdom.”