3 amazing Zero-carbon National Parks to visit in Japan

What is a Zero-carbon National Park?

There are 34 national parks in Japan, covering about 5.8 % of its land, many of which include UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some of them are now going carbon-free, upgrading visitor centers, hotels and other park infrastructures. They aim to be energy-efficient, relying on renewable energy sources, enhancing carbonless access through initiatives such as public transportation options and reducing landfill waste. Therefore, national parks that have declared such a commitment and developed a plan to implement it have been designated as carbon-free parks.

This initiative is not confined to Japan. For instance, the U.S. National Park Service developed its first Green Park Plan in 2012 to improve their sustainability performance. The third edition of the Green Parks Plan was released in January 2023, also pledging to aim for net-zero park management. Some of the noteworthy examples include the Grand Canyon and Everglades National Park.

Must-see: Japan’s Zero-carbon national parks

1. Norikura-Kogen, Nagano

The first to gain the status of a zero-carbon national park, Norikura Kogen in Nagano, has introduced electronic bikes and shuttle buses as a mode of transportation. It also provides water servers throughout the park to minimize plastic bottles and the farm-to-table eateries to produce and consume its local delights, including soba.

The carbon-free national park movement in Norikura-Kogen has also become an engine to revitalize the local community. In fact, sustainable camps and workshops have been organized. For example, a professional soccer team based in nearby Matsumoti-City sponsored a weekend trip to Norikura-Kogen to introduce the ecotourism concept to its fans. Here at the foothill of Japan’s Alps, local residents and businesses seem to have found a new theme for life in the zero-carbon national park.

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2. Ise-Shima, Mie

The second to be registered as a zero-carbon park, Ise-Shima National Park . It pioneers the oceanfront eco-tourism. For example, the park tries to regenerate seaweed beds and tideland as a sponge to observe CO2 (blue carbon) and turn ocean debris into clothing items, working with the fashion industry.

Within Ise City, water servers are being installed in public and private infrastructure to discourage the use of single-use plastics. Along the beach sits a new retreat spot called CO Blue Center, which brings social business working on climate change, ocean plastic pollution and individual and collective well-being to facilitate circular movements of people in the community, technology and marine resources, including sea-based agriculture. The Center has begun to run a café, library, sauna and shower facilities, and shared office space and kitchen.

3. Kushiro and its surrounding areas, Hokkaido

In Hokkaido, two national parks, Kushiro-shitsugen (Kushiro Marsh) and Akan-mashu-ko (Akan-mashu Lake), have been designated as zero-carbon parks. Akan-mashu-ko National Park, born out of volcanic eruption, introduced electric bicycles and encourages reusable bottles. It also plans to use renewable energy generated from hot springs heat.

On the other hand, Kushiro-shitsugen National Park aims to reduce CO2 emission through the restoration of wetland. It is further envisioned that a trail connecting both parks and three nearby airports will be established to encourage eco-tourism in the wider area.

Japan’s national parks showcase a diverse range of landscapes, encompassing mountains, wetlands, oceans and lakes. Many of them are seeking to preserve the nature by reducing carbon footprint and building the circular economy model for tourism. Despite these eco-friendly initiatives, they also serve as ideal spaces to promote sustainable lifestyle tips through activities such as camps, hikes, workshops, seminars and school excursions.