Notes on Use!

Park Etiquette

In order for everyone to have a pleasant experience, the visitors to the national parks are advised to respect nature and observe the following:

• In addition to being designated as Oze National Park, the Oze Area is also designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as a Special Natural Monument and as a Protection Forest by the Forestry Agency. Within the park's Special Protection Area, not only is the taking of any plants or animals prohibited, but collecting deadwood is also prohibited by law. Please note that you may not pick up a stick from the ground to use as a walking staff.
• Wetlands ecosystems are fragile, so do not stray from the wooden footpaths, and enter the marsh.
• There are no trash can in Oze. Please take your trash home.
• The toilets in Oze are wood-chip toilets. Protecting Oze's environment is very costly, and so you are asked to pay a 100 yen contribution each time you use the toilet to help defray expenses.
• There are Asian black bears living in the Oze Area. It is we humans that are intruding on their habitat. Use bear bells when walking to alert the bears to your presence. If you should encounter a bear, retreat slowly, facing the bear (do not turn and run). Do not take flash photographs as the flash will startle and stimulate the bears.
• Camping outside of designated camping grounds in Oze is prohibited. Also, advance reservations are required to camp at the Ozenuma Camping Ground as well as all mountain lodges in Oze. Be sure to bring sufficient equipment and carefully you're your accommodation before entering the mountain area.