Geoparks in National Parks: Challenges and Potentials for Promoting Sustainable Tourism

Abstract

In Japan, there are 43 geoparks (as of October 2017) registered by the Japan Geopark Network. Municipalities where geoparks are located have used various methods to enhance the communities’ awareness of the value of local resources and to promote geotourism, thereby revitalizing those communities. Neither legal endorsement nor the central government’s support are available for geoparks. However, 25 geoparks are located within national parks. These geoparks are managed under the rules and regulations of the National Park System, which share common terms and objectives with the rules and regulations of geoparks. These commonalities imply that municipalities and the National Park System have been collaborating favorably. The current status of geoparks and national parks, and the possibilities and challenges for geoparks located in national parks, is discussed in this article.