Subtropical Oceanic Island A Gold Mine of Evolution and Endemic Species
Date of Designation: October 16, 1972
Area: 6,629 ha (land area)
Related Prefecture: Tokyo
Ogasawara National Park consists of subtropical islands located about 1,000 km south of the Japanese archipelago. These islands are oceanic islands that have never been connected to the mainland and thus uniquely evolved flora, fauna, and ecosystems can be found on the islands. Thanks to these advantages, Ogasawara National Park was registered as a World Heritage site in June 2011. The landscapes include the island landscapes unique to subtropical oceanic islands, pillow lava, and unique coastal landforms and one of the few submergence karst landforms in Japan. In addition, the marine mammals typified by humpback whales and dolphins, green turtles, coral reefs, and tropical fish create underwater landscapes. For the use of the park, the park is also known for its advanced eco-tourism centering on the council of Ogasawara Eco-Tourism, which is represented by the establishment of independent rules for whale watching as the start of Japan's eco-tourism field.