Abstract
This paper covers the historical background to the process leading to the designation of the Yabakei Valleys, Mt. Hikosan, and Hita Basin area as one of the first Quasi-National Park areas in Japan in 1950, and also its relationship with National Parkway Planning in Japan as a new type of National Park after World War Two. There are many kinds of curious rock peaks with pine and oak trees, as well as old temples, villages, and agricultural scenery around the roads in Yabakei valleys. Some famous authors have left writings about the beauty of this valleys scenery since early in the nineteenth century. In Yaba-Hita-Hikosan area, more than 80 percent of the land is owned by private sectors, and most of this area has been used as plantation forest. Therefore, at first, it was considered difficult to keep the natural beauty in the area. In 1949 the government sought to designate this area as a new type of National Park like National Parkway. In the same year the government revised the National Parks Law, enabling the designation of Quasi-National Park areas. At last Yaba-Hita-Hikosan area was designated as a Quasi-National Park in 1950. This was based on discussions about designating a new type of National Park as National Parkway to keep the beauty of harmonious scenery of nature and artificial landscape with historical and agricultural elements combined.
