JP067Okutadami, Okunikko, Okutone

Site Description

Forest

Okutadami: Located on the border between Fukushima and Niigata Prefectures, is covered with snow of more than 5 meters in midwinter. Golden Eagles and Hodgson’s Hawk-Eagles are found in the precipitous mountains. Freshwater fish such as char, brook trout and a rare freshwater species are found in Lake Okutadamiko. Surrounding mountains are covered with broadleaf forests of Fagus crenata.

Okunikko: An area in the northwest of Tochigi Prefecture, centering on Lake Chuzenjiko (1,269 m), Senjogahara area (1,400 m) and Yumoto district (1,500 m), also includes such neighboring mountainous areas as Mt. Shiranesan (2,578 m) and Mt. Nantaisan (2,486 m). The site has a variety of trees in the broadleaf deciduous forests and in conifer forests. It also includes such diversified environment as lakes – Lake Chuzenjiko and Yunoko, mountain streams - Yukawa, wetlands –Senjogahara, grasslands formed from dried marshlands-Odashirogahara.

Okutone: This area has the headwaters of Tonegawa river. The climate of the Japan Sea side has a significant impact on this area, and mountainous areas are covered with snow for more than half a year. Floras show elements of the Japan Sea side, while faunas in the primary natural environment include larger mammals (Asiatic black bear, Japanese serow), northern avian species, Grey Bunting, Grey-spotted Flycatcher, and butterflies, as well as aquatic insects, and fish in low temperature streams.

Area & Coordinates

313,000ha 37°00′N 139°14′E
region: Tohoku

Category

A3

Designation Type

National Park, Quasi-National Park, Nature Consevation Area

Protection Status

Protected

Conservation issues

• Recreation/tourism
• Infrastructure
• Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage
• Consequences of animal/plants/ introductions