Minami-Alps Biosphere Reserve
The Minami-Alps are also known as the Akaishi Mountains and straddle the three prefectures ofYamanashi, Nagano and Shizuoka. Stretching 15 km from east to west and 50 km from north to south
and including more than ten peaks exceeding 3000 m, this is one of Japan s largest mountainous areas.
It is also one of the wettest areas in Japan, having a distinct vertical distribution of forest from lower
altitudes to the alpine zone at 3000 m. Being a habitat for endemic plant species such as Kitadakeso(Callianthemum hondoense) and the southern limit of animals such as the Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus japonicas),a bird species that can be traced back to the Ice Age, the alpine zone is home to a highly diverse
natural environment. The mountain ridges contain many remnants of elevated peneplain and glacial
landforms (cirques), and active crustal movements are causing the mountains to rise by 4 mm per year
even today.
On the cultural level, the steep mountainous topology has been hindering exchange among the areas
along the Fujikawa river, the Oigawa river and the Tenryugawa river since ancient times. For thisreason, unique cultural spheres with distinct traditions in social customs, food culture and folk arts
developed in these areas, and have been passed on until present.
Program development and other initiatives are in progress to preserve this invaluable naturalenvironment and the unique way of life having its roots in such environment, and pass it on to the next
generations.

Ten municipalities united
The ten municipalities in the three prefectures, in which themountains of the Minami-Alps have been blocking
communication, have formed the Minami-Alps Biosphere Reserve
under the banner of High Mountains and Deep Valleys Fostering
Biological and Cultural Diversity .
Positioning the natural environment and culture of the
Minami-Alps as common assets, the Biosphere Reserve isdesigned to help create an attractive region which makes use of
its natural bounty and expands exchanges within the region
through joint initiatives for the sustainable use and permanentconservation of its superb natural environment.

Area
Total area
302,474ha
Core areas
24,970ha
Buﬀer zones
72,389ha
Transition areas 205,115ha

Registration process
Sept. 2013

Minami-Alps Biosphere Reserve Zoning Map

Decision made for a national recommendation forthe Minami-Alps area to become a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve
End of Sept. 2013 Application submitted to the MAB Secretariat
March 2014 Examination by the UNESCO International Advisory
Committee for Biosphere Reserves
Recommendation of the examination results to theApril 2014
International Coordinating Council of the MAB
Programme
Examination and decision on the registration during theJune 2014
26th session of the UNESCO International Coordinating
Council of the MAB Programme held in Sweden

Nirasaki City, Minami-Alps City, Hokuto City, Hayakawa Town (Yamanashi Prefecture)
Iida City, Ina City, Fujimi Town, Oshika Village (Nagano Prefecture)

Paper cutout cover: Dojo Yanagi

Shizuoka City, Kawane-Honcho Town (Shizuoka Prefecture)■Minami-Alps Biosphere Reserve Promotion Oﬃce Address:
376 Ogasahara, Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture 400-0395 Phone: +81- 55 -282-7261

http://minami-alps-br.org

High Mountains and Deep Valleys Fostering
Biological and Cultural Diversity

N a t ure to protect and nature to utilize.
P e o ple connected through mountains.
A b a l anced coexistence of nature and ma n .
What is a Biosphere Reserve?
Biosphere Reserves were started by UNESCO in 1976, for the purpose of balancing the conservation ofecosystems with the sustainable use of nature (coexistence of nature and human society). The project iscarried out by the Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO under the MAB (Man and the Biosphere)
programme and aims to preserve the rich ecosystems and biodiversity, learn from nature and achieve asustainable development with respect to culture as well as economy and society.
In Japan, Biosphere Reserves are called UNESCO Eco-park . Currently, 631 Biosphere Reserves areregistered in 119 countries all over the world, with seven being located in Japan. (As of June 2014)

High Mountains and Deep Valleys Fostering
Biological and Cultural Diversity
Core areas

These areas are characterized by mountainous landscapes formed by peaks of the 3000 m class, which are typical for
the Minami-Alps. Their primeval natural environment is home to precious plants and rare animals. Being designated as
the Minami-Alps National Park and the Head of RiverOoi Wilderness Area the core areas are properly protected.

The three functions of a Biosphere Reserve
Biosphere Reserves have three functions: conservation,
logistic support, and sustainable development.
The individual functions are not independent, but mutuallyreinforce the Biosphere Reserve. To fulﬁll these threefunctions, Biosphere Reserves are organized into three zones.

Conservation

Rock Ptarmigan(Lagopus mutus japonicus)

Mt. Kitadake alive with hikers

Scientiﬁc research in the alpine zone

(Biodiversity conservation)

Logistic support

The three zones of a Biosphere Reserve

Sustainabledevelopment(Support for scientiﬁc research (Sustainable regional developmentin harmony with nature)and education)

Biosphere Reserves consist of three zones, each of which playa diﬀerent role.

Core areasKitadakeso (Callianthemum hondoense,an endemic species)

The most important areas where the naturalenvironment has to be protected, for example,
the special protection areas in national parks.

[The three functions of a Biosphere Reserve]

Mt. Akaishidake and a ﬂower ﬁeld on Mt. ArakawadakeBuﬀer zones

The areas that surround or are adjacent to the core areas. Being designated as, for example, the Minami-Alps National
Park and Yamanashi Prefectural Natural Park, buﬀer zones oﬀer room for environmental education and the like whilestill being properly conserved.

Renge tsutsuji (Rhododendron japonicum)
on Mt. Amariyama (Nirasaki City)

Core areas

Transition areas

Minami-Alps Geotourism (Ina City)

UNESCO School activities (Minami-Alps City)

Areas for ecotourism or the like drawing on landscapes of villages spreading out on mountain slopes, agriculture that
harmonizes with nature, as well as history and culture.

Buﬀer zones

Buﬀer zones

Transition areas

These areas usually surround or adjoin theCore areas. They may be used forenvironmental education, outdoor activities,
research as well as tourism and leisure.

Why a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?

Transition areas

Village of Shimoguri, located in a deep valley atan altitude of about 1000 m. (Iida City)

Oshika-Noson-Kabuki theater, which has a historyof more than 300 years (Oshika Village)

Rice cultivation beneﬁting fromabundant water resources (Hokuto City)

The Nyukasa moor coloredwith ﬂowers (Fujimi Town)

Kayak touring (Kawane-Honcho Town)

Experience tour zooming in
on wildlife (Hayakawa Town)

These areas allow human activities. Here,various stakeholders aim for a sustainable
development of these areas resources.

The scheme allows us to create an organizational system for the permanent conservation of the mountainenvironment of the Minami-Alps, and to continue to protect the rich natural resource over future generations.
As the fascination of our home as a Biosphere Reserve is communicated to the world, we can expect anincreasing number of Japanese and international travelers for tourism and education.
Biosphere Reserves are not covered by an international convention. A Biosphere Reserve is managed byexisting domestic legislation.
It can also be used as a site for environmental education and scientiﬁc research.