* This article was written based on an interview conducted with the park ranger in January, 2022.

Although she has only been with Nikko National Park for about a year and a half, Junko Chida is a veteran National Parks governmental administrative officer, and has spent her long career assisting in nature and wildlife conservation around Japan. She transferred to Nikko National Park—in Tochigi Prefecture, just north of Tokyo—in 2020, but before that she worked in Hakone, Niigata, Nagoya, and for the Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office.

Chida has always found herself drawn to nature. She loves the unique landscapes found in Japan’s national parks, and is especially interested in wildlife. Birdwatching is a passion of hers, and has led her to visit many parks across the country. Among them, Nikko National Park is one of her favorites.

Sacred landscapes

Nikko National Park is a spiritual place. Its landscapes have been considered sacred for centuries, since long before it was designated a national park in 1934. Practitioners of Shugendo mountain worship would travel to peaks such as Mount Nantai as part of spiritual pilgrimages, and engage in aesthetic practices in nature. One visit to any of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Heritage site is enough to feel the effect these practices have had on the area.

These sacred landscapes are especially easy to access from Tokyo. In the past, diplomats and dignitaries stationed in the capital would retreat to Nikko’s Lake Chuzenji to enjoy its natural beauty, and escape the heat of summer. Chida recalls visiting Nikko back when she was an elementary school student on a school trip. At the time she didn’t realize the true extent of Nikko's natural beauty, but now she feels the richness of nature in Nikko, and recognizes its historical and cultural significance.

“There are many places where you can get in touch with nature, so I would like first-time visitors to enjoy the park's beautiful scenery,” Chida says, “but if you stretch your legs in the park just a little, you might find yourself surprised by how wild it feels.” She recommends hiking or trekking in the Nasu area, where visitors can explore the trails around Mount Nasudake or Mount Chausu—an active volcano—and really feel the spirit of the great outdoors.

A community connected by nature

When asked how her role as a park ranger differs from previous positions she’s held, Chida points to the park’s residents. Nikko National Park is managed by the Ministry of the Environment, but there are many private residents that call the area home. “In my previous positions, I mostly worked in the office. Here, I’m out in the field, interacting with different members of the community. It’s one of the most important aspects of my job.”

One way she is connecting with the community is through a rennovation project of Yumoto, a historical hot spring resort area. “In the old days, people used to stay in Yumoto for a long time, maybe for a month or two to enjoy fishing and other activities. The area has a long history as a hot spring resort, and is quite well known. There is still that sense of hospitality.”

But Yumoto isn’t immune to present-day challenges. Some of the facilities are showing their age, and because there isn't enough signage, the area can be difficult to navigate, especially for international visitors. COVID-19 has led to an increase in more independent forms of travel, like camper vans and RVs. As a result, long-time occupancy of parking lots by RVs and camper vans has become an issue. These are things that Chida hopes to improve by working with local business owners.

“Since Nikko was one of the country’s first national parks, we’re very committed to preservation, and most of the residents and business owners feel the same. But they also want to adapt to these new challenges, find new ways to welcome visitors, and to make it easier for them to experience the many charms of the area, and we want to facilitate that as well.” 

By working within the community, Chida hopes to preserve the park’s natural environment and history, while creating a new type of culture for visitors and improving their overall experience.

A nation of natural beauty

Chida has had the opportunity to visit many different areas of Japan, and they have had a lasting impact on her. Outside of Nikko, her favorite places are Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaido, and Ogasawara National Park, a collection of remote islands 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Tokyo. “These areas are truly wild, and feel like a completely different country. They offer glimpses into different environments and different ways of life, all beautifully preserved.”

But Nikko clearly has a special place in her heart. “The park is beautiful all year round, but my favorite times are spring and winter. The new greenery of spring is unforgettable, but winter has a different kind of beauty, and allows for fun outdoor activities like snowshoeing.” When asked what sets Nikko National Park apart from the rest, she answers simply. “Nikko National Park is one of the country’s best examples of an area where nature and culture have blended to create a unique way of life.”