As representatives of Japan's natural scenic beauty, national parks are designated
by the Director General of the Environment Agency and managed by the national
government. Since the first national park in 1939, a total of 28 parks have been
designated as of 1997. Among these, five are situated in Kansai's nine prefectures,
and of these five, the Setonaikai National Park was one of the first to be designated.
Similarly, quasi-national parks are also designated by the Director General of
the Environment Agency as places of natural scenic beauty. These, however, are
managed by the prefectures. As of 1997, Japan had 55 quasi-national parks, 14
of which are located in the Kansai region. Criteria for selection include not
only natural beauty but also the potential to serve as a resort for nearby urban
areas.
A subgroup of the national and quasi-national parks, underwater parks serve to
maintain marine scenery. The Kansai region is home to Kushimoto Underwater Park,
in Yoshino-Kumano National Park in Wakayama Prefecture, and Mikata Underwater
Park, in Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park in Fukui Prefecture. In addition, 42 natural
parks have been designated by prefectural governors. |
