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Leading Sustainable Destinations in Japan
Green Destinations
Green Destinations, one of the world's leading networks dedicated to sustainable tourism, annually selects destinations that meet key criteria and demonstrate outstanding sustainability efforts through expert evaluations. These destinations are announced as the "Top 100 Stories" and shared as good practice cases for tourism industry professionals and travelers. In addition, Green Destinations offers its own Award & Certification Program. Destinations that meet the Green Destinations Standard—which consists of 84 criteria—can achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum awards in accordance with the level of conformity to the standard. Full compliance with all criteria also qualifies a destination for GSTC certification, accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
“Certification Awards”
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2024 GOLD AWARD
- Kamaishi City (Iwate) |
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2024 SILVER AWARD
- Takayama City (Gifu) - Shodoshima Island (Kagawa) - Ozu City (Ehime) |
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2023 SILVER AWARD
- Niseko Town (Hokkaido) |
“Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories”
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2020
Kamaishi | Kyoto City | Miura Peninsula | Niseko Town | Okinawa Prefecture | Shirakawa Village
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2021
Amami-Oshima Island | Aso City | Kamaishi | Kyoto City | Nagara River Basin | Nanao City and Nakanoto Town | Nasushiobara City | Niseko Town | Sado City | Shodoshima Town | Toyooka City | Yoron Island
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2022
Shodoshima Town | Ozu City | Oguni Town | Nasushiobara City | Minamichita Town | Kamaishi | Higashimatsushima City | Hakone Town | Gero-spa Town | Aso City
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2023
Kamaishi | Ozu City | Oguni Town | Hakone | Yoron Island | Teshikaga Town | Obuse Town | Miyazu City | Marugame City | Miyoshi City
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2024
Kamaishi | Tono City | Tsuruoka City | Chikuma City | Miyazu City
“Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO”
In 2021, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) launched “Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO,” a global initiative to highlight the villages that are working to make tourism a driver of rural development and wellbeing and to advance the role of tourism in valuing and safeguarding rural villages along with their associated landscapes, knowledge systems, biological and cultural diversity, local values and activities. In 2023, a total of 190 regions participated and villages from 54 regions worldwide were selected as “Best Tourism Villages.” The following 4 villages were selected from Japan.
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2021
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2023
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2024
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Japan Tourism Agency “JSTS-D (Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations)”
The "JSTS-D" provides sustainable tourism indicators for municipalities and DMOs so that they understand the current situation from various angles and manage tourism sustainably.
The indicators are based on international standards outlined in the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations (GSTC-D). Each element of the various JSTS-D tourism indicators is organized in consideration of Japan and its unique characteristics and challenges. The following destinations have committed to working under the JSTS-D.
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As of December 5, 2024
Otaru City
Yatsugatake Area
(Hokuto City, Fujimi Town, Hara Village)
Miura Peninsula
(Kamakura City, Zushi City, Yokosuka City, Miura City, Hayama Town)
Kyoto City
Kamaishi City
Shikoku
(Ehime Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, Tokushima Prefecture)
Higashimatsushima City
Aso City
Akita Prefecture
(Odate City, Kitaakita City, Kosaka Town, Kamikoani Village)
Hata Area
(Sukumo City, Tosashimizu City, Shimanto City, Otsuki Town,
Mihara Village, Kuroshio Town)
Hatsukaichi City
Amami-Oshima Island
Ozu City
Tonosho Town
Atami City
Imabari City
Furano City
Sumida Ward
Niseko Town
Nasushiobara City
Meiwa Town
Gifu Prefecture
Marugame City
Chichibu City
Abiko City
Ome City
Teshikaga Town
Kitakyushu City, Shimonoseki City
Tono City
Hakone Town
Shodoshima Town
Miyoshi City
Hyuga City
SETOUCHI Tourism Authority
Hakuba Village
Kagoshima City
East Tokushima Area
Nagato City
Hagi City
Takayama City
Higashihiroshima City
Sapporo City
Yanagawa city
Biei Town
Kuroshio Town
Kushiro City
Shobara City
Bibai city
Myoko City
Nara Prefecture
Akaigawa Village
Kawazu Town
Chikuma City
