Daisen-Oki National Park: About the Park
Daisen-Oki National Park encompasses 35,353 hectares of breathtaking and diverse scenery spread across the prefectures of Shimane, Okayama, and Tottori. Originally established in 1936 as Daisen National Park, it has since been expanded three times to include its current zones: the regions of Mt. Kenashiyama and Mt. Mitokusan, the Mt. Daisen–Hiruzen Highlands region, the Mt. Sanbe region, the Oki Islands, and coastal areas of the Shimane Peninsula.
The park’s ecosystems are incredibly varied, spanning mountain forests, volcanic springs, broad grasslands, wetlands, rocky coastlines, and remote islands. Many endemic and endangered species live here, relying upon the park’s protected status to maintain their fragile populations. Likewise, the history and livelihoods of the people of this area have evolved over millennia as an inseparable part of the Daisen-Oki landscape. In fact, the park contains locations that figure prominently in Japan’s most ancient myths, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of Shinto deities.
Daisen-Oki National Park contains many plants, animals, and people that have adapted to its unique landscapes. With both pristine natural environments and sites deeply interwoven with human history, the park offers countless fascinating perspectives on the evolution of our world.