Gunma Prefecture considers "entrance fee" in Oze - Governor and Deputy Governor Walking in Oze in the fifth year of office
Gunma Prefecture Governor Ichita Yamamoto announced at a regular press conference on December 4, 2024 that the government will consider collecting an "entrance fee" from climbers and tourists at Oze National Park. This year, the governor's fifth year in office, he walked through Oze for the first time in decades. (Photo: The deteriorating wooden path of Oze National Park)
At the press conference, Governor Yamamoto explained that in light of a question about the conservation of Oze National Park at the prefectural assembly the day before, "We will consider introducing an entrance fee as a measure to secure financial resources for environmental protection and tourism utilization."
When asked by a reporter about the governor's own thoughts on the entrance fee, Governor Yamamoto replied, "This year, for the first time in decades, I walked the wooden path of Oze and realized the splendor of nature. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to protect the nature of Oze and create an environment where people are not ashamed."
After that, Deputy Governor Uruga (former Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) revealed, "Currently, we are collecting tips (100 yen) from toilet users, but more than half of the collected money is lost (in fees) when exchanging money at the bank." In addition, he explained that "the collection of entrance fees is an image of making effective use of existing funds" and that "the amount is about the amount of toilet tips" and that it will not lead to a decrease in tourists.
During the press conference, Governor Yamamoto said, "Mr. Uruga also went (to Oze) for the first time," and it was revealed that the governor and deputy governor had not stopped by Oze until last year after taking office in 2019. This suggests that concrete measures will not be taken unless the governor, deputy governor, and other key officials actually visit the site to start the issue of nature conservation.
In the future, Gunma Prefecture plans to proceed with discussions with other municipalities (Fukushima, Tochigi, and Niigata prefectures) that have entrance points through the Oze National Park Council, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment.
In recent years, Japan has introduced a series of entry restrictions and usage fees in national parks and World Heritage areas for the purpose of preventing overtourism and environmental conservation.
Recent entry-related systems in Japan (partial)
- Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture "Miyajima": Seto Inland Sea Park, World Cultural Relics
In October 2023, we started collecting a "Miyajima Visit Tax" of 100 yen based on the local tax law. - Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi Prefecture: Fuji-Hakone National Park, World Cultural Heritage Site
In the summer of 2024, based on the "Ordinance for the Establishment and Management of the Mt. Fuji Yoshidaguchi Prefecture Arito Descent Mountain Trail in Yamanashi Prefecture", a toll fee of 2,000 yen will be collected at the 5th station of the Fuji Subaru Line, and the number of climbers per day will be limited to 4,000. - Iriomote Island, Taketomi Town, Okinawa Prefecture: Iriomote National Park, World Natural Heritage Site
In March 2025, using the Ecotourism Promotion Law, we plan to designate five areas on the island as specific natural tourism resources, limit entry to 30~200 people per day, accompany a certified guide, pre-training, and collect a fee of 500 yen ~ 1,000 yen.
The systems in these three regions are designed under the responsibility of local governments in response to the unique challenges faced by each region. On the other hand, the Ministry of the Environment, which has jurisdiction over national parks and has jurisdiction over the Natural Parks Act, which has authority to restrict access and restrain people, has limited involvement.
