Island Ecotourism System

The purpose of ecotourism is to create opportunities to interact with nature and to utilize it in a way that is appropriate for its preservation. Ecotourism is carried out in areas with precious nature that needs to be preserved and passed down to future generations.

Areas that meet both of the following requirements are designated as areas for the advancement of nature preservation:

1. The area is deemed exceptional for reasons such as the diversity of its wildlife, its landforms or geological features, or its scenic nature.
2. The area is in danger of being adversely affected by excessive human utilization.

Rules for appropriate usage are established to enable visitors to enjoy the areas for the advancement of nature preservation without destroying them. These rules specify the following:

1. Areas and routes that can be used
2. Dates, seasons, and times during which the areas can be used
3. The maximum number of people who may use the area each day
4. The number of people each guide is to be responsible for

These rules are reviewed and revised as needed, based on the results of monitoring surveys of the areas for the advancement of nature preservation.

Tokyo Nature Guides, who are licensed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, accompany visitors to the areas for the advancement of nature preservation, and instruct visitors on how to appropriately enjoy the natural sites. Tokyo Nature Guides are educated and licensed by the Tokyo government, and many of them live near the areas they are assigned to guide visitors to. The primary responsibilities of these nature guides are as follows:

1. Explaining nature to visitors
2. Instructing visitors on how to appropriately enjoy the areas for the advancement of nature preservations, based on the rules for appropriate usage
3. Helping to perform monitoring surveys of the natural environment of the areas for the advancement of nature preservation