Abstract
The topic related to cost recovery is becoming major issues in recreation planning of natural areas. The equity issues and overuse problems are moving forces behind such movement. This paper first followed the development of user pays such as entrance fees and user fees, then analyzed the trends of user pays in Japan's natural areas. Concession revenue was expected in the early stage of national park management. However, specific user fees such as parking was found to be realistic later. On the other hand, national forests depended on revenues from land rent, but such revenues were not held on each site. Entrance fees have been introduced at specific recreational sites in national forests though the revenue is limited. In both areas planners/managers failed to recognize the cost recovery as a effective tool to supply improved service for visitor satisfaction. At the same time, dual-agency management of the same areas made introduction of concession difficult.
