Abstract
This paper discusses the significance, possibilities, and challenges of the use of the forest road network, including forest roads, skidding roads and trails, which have been standardized and established mainly for forestry and forest management, for outdoor sports, such as mountain biking and trail running in Japan. The transition and current situation of the purpose for the establishment of forest roads and related laws and regulations show that the forest road network has been evaluated for its function, values, and benefits as a means of “access” to forests and mountain villages. Moreover, the administrators of the roads and trails are relatively clear that their authority and discretion are broad and that the public availability and openness of forest roads are ambiguous, including for the use of outdoor sports. From case studies of outdoor sports use, the function, values, and benefits of the forest road network as a “space” （field） have been found by sports businesses and users, and the possibility of local revitalization with economic effects through sports use have been identified. At the same time, in pursuing such significance and possibility, it is also highlighted that it is necessary to reduce the risk of safety management responsibility of the managers and promote systematic institutional development based on public use of the forest road network through clarification of the property rights of the roads and trails, development of related laws and regulations, and supplementation of existing systems.
