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Public perception of the cultural value of Satoyama landscape types in Japan

  • Special Feature: Review
  • Natural and cultural characteristics as the cornerstone of the future of Satoyama landscapes
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Abstract

Using the public survey “The Top 100 Japanese Rural Landscapes” conducted by Asahi Shimbun Newspaper Company in 2008, this study attempted to analyze public perception of rural landscapes and their cultural value. A total of 3,024 nominated sites were given coordinates and combined with land use and topographic datasets using a GIS, and classified into several landscape types using cluster analysis. Keywords that appeared frequently in the nominations were extracted using a text-mining tool and used to interpret the cultural value of each type. As a result, the nominated sites were divided into six types. The majority of nominated sites were classified as Forest Type (forest 88%) and associated with the keywords traditional rural lifestyle, and sites to visit. Mixed Type (forest 50%, paddy field 20%, and other agricultural fields 10%) were associated with biodiversity and conservation activities, and Paddy Field Type (paddy field 60%) was significantly associated with Furusato (Home). Urban and Suburban Type sites (built-up land 50%) were concentrated in the Kanto Region and nominated mainly by local citizens for their nature activities. There was also the Other Agricultural Type, which made up 10% each of the nominations, and the Coastal Type, which was mostly nominated by ocean-related organizations and rarely nominated by the general public. Additionally, the concept of biodiversity seemed to be difficult for the public to understand. The results indicated that future studies should consider public perception of the variety of Satoyama landscapes and how it should be incorporated into future Satoyama management strategy.

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Notes

  1. Landscape here refers to scenery as well as physical landforms, including living organisms and sensual features such as smells and sounds, which is defined in landscape ecology.

  2. Web-based mapping system by Geographical Survey Institute Japan, http://watchizu.gsi.go.jp/.

  3. Web-based digital national geographical data by National Land information Office GIS Data, http://nlftp.mlit.go.jp/ksj/.

  4. Yatsu = A strip of developed land in a narrow valley.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by the Forests Culture Association. The authors wish to thank Mr. Fjiwara, Mr. Ebisawa, Mr. Hattori and Mr. Sato from the Forests Culture Association for support in the observation trips and providing data sources. Thanks to Associate Prof. Junichi Imanishi, Associate Prof. Kei Mizuno and Yoshitaka Ohishi for their technical advice. Also we would like to thank Prof. Mahito Kamata from Tokushima University, Prof. Koji Nakamura from Kanazawa University, Ms. Anne MacDonald from UNU-IAS Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa and Mio Horiuchi for their field guidance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Asia Air Survey Co., Ltd., Shinyuri 21 Building, 1-2-2 Manpukuji, Asao-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 215-0004, Japan

    Yuuki Iwata

  2. Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Katsue Fukamachi & Yukihiro Morimoto

Authors
  1. Yuuki Iwata
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  2. Katsue Fukamachi
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  3. Yukihiro Morimoto
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Correspondence to Yuuki Iwata.

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Iwata, Y., Fukamachi, K. & Morimoto, Y. Public perception of the cultural value of Satoyama landscape types in Japan. Landscape Ecol Eng 7, 173–184 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-010-0128-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-010-0128-x

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