Performance and Visitors' Perception of Outdoor
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PERFORMANCE AND VISITORS’ PERCEPTION OF OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES IN BEPPU CITY, OITA JAPAN by K. K A Chamani Maduranthi September 2011 Thesis Presented to the Higher Degree Committee of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in International Cooperation Policy ACKNOWLEGEMENT This research effort and the thesis is a great achievement even though it appears as a small piece of work. It was a great challenge to do my research in Japan at the preliminary stages of my work, but it progressed smoothly until its final stage. I should mention here, with great appreciation, that without the kind assistance of many personnel/individuals this wouldn‟t have been a success in this final form. I should be grateful and be thankful to Professor Dr. Sanga Ngoie Kazadi, the Research Supervisor of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University for being a good teacher, for guiding me all the time, advising and encouraging me especially at times of confusion, and for the patience shown throughout this work, Professor Malcolm J. Cooper, of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, being a specialist in my study area for spending his precious time without any hesitation, advising and guiding me in improving my research work, All the academic staff of Asia Pacific Studies of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, for making me knowledgeable during my Masters Program which has put the sound base to this work, Professor Francisco P. Fellizar,Jr. for selecting me as a student to the Graduate School of the Asia Pacific University and his kind guidance there after, The Environmental Opinion Leaders ( ENVOL) Program and its staff, which I am also a participant for providing me opportunities to explore the new fields of studies and develop my field research skills, making me much more confident of my self and providing all supportive facilities to compile my thesis, The Tourism and Community Development Division, the Hot Springs Management Division, the Environment Division, the Urban Policy Division, the Parks and Recreation Division, the Lake Shidaka Management Division of the Beppu City Office who provided me with the updated reports, plans, and other information materials upon my request with great enthusiasm, ii Ms Tomoko Ko ( formerly, Tourism & Community Development Division, Beppu City Office), Ms Junko Abe, Tourism & Community Development Division of Beppu City office, who had taken lot of trouble and effort for providing me with all necessary information, and coordinating with other City Office officials, Ms Flynn Naoko of the Cultural and International Affairs Division who helped me to find some information at the final stage of my work. Ms Inage Katsue of Beppu city Hall for assisting in relevant matters, Even though the individual respondents of my questionnaire survey may not see this note of Thanks, I should specially mention them here, with much honor for their patience in responding me after few words of explanation of my efforts within the facilities by spending their leisure time., Mr Seth Mberego, of the Geo Science laboratory, for giving a big helping hand to move forward at the final stage, Mr K.S. J Kumara and Ms Ikuko Morisaki, who spent time to improve this work and all other friends in the Geo Science laboratory for their kind assistance, Mr Tomoya Kato who joined me in some of my field work and Ms Ayumi former APU student, Ms Nelli Indrayani and Ms Chihiro Nakata of laboratory of biodiversity and natural habitat, Hirano Sense and Kaori Ito from Beppu International Plaza, who assisted me with short notice in translating my documents into Japanese and directing me to the sources of information, The chief administrative officer of African Safari, Beppu, and the person incharge of the Myoban sightseeing and onsen facility for their understanding and cooperating with me during the field visits, The library staff of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University for providing and helping me in search of reference material relevant to various aspects of the study, The World Bank for awarding me the scholarship and financial assistance under the Joint Japan/ World Bank Scholarship Program to follow this Masters Degree Program in Japan which would otherwise will not be possible at any means, The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Sri Lanka in which I am employed, for providing me this opportunity and granting me leave without any hesitation. Professor U. S Amarasinghe, University of Kelniya, Sri Lanka, Dr (Ms.) L.P Batuwitage, iii Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources who paid an extra attention in encouraging me throughout my studies, to all my true friends of Sri Lanka who were with me all the time and cared me a lot even in my absence with them, To my beloved parents, and my loving sister although they are not present in person here who did every thing very sensitively throughout my life, to my loving husband Suhada and darling daughter Sayuni for their big sacrifices, for being with me, and giving me all the energy and courage until the completion of this study. A Chorus of THANKS may not be enough for all the above and those whom I could not mention here by name but helped me in numerous ways to make this study a success. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number Acknowledgement……………………………………….. ii Table of contents…………………………….…………… v List of tables……………………………………………… xiii List of figures …………………………………………..... xiv Abstract ………………………………………………….. xxii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction …………………………………………….. 1 1.2 Research problem and related questions ……………….. 3 1.3 Research objectives …………………………………….. 3 1.4 Outline of the chapters ………………………………….. 3 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1 The definitions and significance of leisure, recreation, and outdoor 5 recreation ………………………………………………… 2.2 The relationships of leisure, tourism & recreation………. 8 2.3 The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum ( ROS) and Recreation 9 Opportunity Process( ROP) ………………………………. 2.4 The Recreation Demand Spectrum ………………………. 11 2.4.1 Bradshaw Mercer typology of need …………………….... 11 2.4.2 Mashlow‟s Hierarchy model ………………………….…. 12 2.5 Constrains in leisure participation ………………………. 13 2.6 The recreation management process …………………….. 15 v 2.7 Recreation carrying capacity and thresholds ………….… 15 2.7.1 The carrying capacity ………………………………….… 15 2.7.2 The Limits of Acceptable Change …………………….… 16 2.8 Considerations on sustainability ………………………… 18 2.8.1 Concept of sustainability …………………………….….. 18 2.8.2 Indicators of sustainability……………...……………….. 19 2.8.2.1 Environment indicators……………………………….…. 21 2.8.2.2 Social indicators…………………………………….…… 21 2.8.2.3 Economic indicators …………………………………..… 22 2.8.2.4 Socio ecological indicators…………….……………….. 23 2.8.3 Indices of sustainability………………………………… 23 2.8.3.1 Environment Performance Index………………………. 23 2.8.3.2 Environment Sustainability Index………………..……. 23 2.9 The importance of perception studies and participation in outdoor recreation ……………………………………………….. 24 2.10 Leisure and recreation in Japanese society …………….. 24 2.10.1 The history and present status of leisure and recreation in 24 Japan…………………………………………………….. 2.10.2 The programs and infrastructure for recreation and local 26 tourism…………………………………………………… 2.10.2.1 The National Railway and Japan Railway ……………... 26 2.10.2.2 The programs for promoting local and international 26 tourism……………………………………………………. vi 2.10.3 Leisure and recreation activities in Japanese society………..… 27 2.10.4 Institutions and existing management framework for tourism, and 28 recreation in Japan …………………………………………….. 2.10.4.1 The institutions related to recreation and tourism …………….. 28 2.10.4.2 The existing management framework for tourism and recreation in 29 Japan …………………………………….................................... 2.11 Local tourism & recreation in Beppu city …………………….... 30 2.11.1 The basic facts of local tourism and recreation in Beppu city 30 2.11.2 Administrative organization for the management of the outdoor 33 recreational facilities in Beppu city …………………………. 2.11.3 Local tourism and visitor statistics in Beppu ………..………. 33 2.12 The main types of recreational facilities in Beppu city ……... 35 2.12.1 Resource-based facilities adopted for leisure ,……..………….. 35 2.12.1.1 Public parks and beach parks………………………………….. 35 2.12.1.2 Onsen facilities in Beppu ……………………………………... 41 2.12.1.3 Jigoku facilities in Beppu …………………………………….. 43 2.12.1.4 The natural lakes in Beppu ………………………………….… 48 2.12.1.5 Takasakiyama monkey park …………………………………... 50 2.12.1.6 The nature walks ………………………………………………. 50 2.12.1.7 The scenic view points …………………………………….….. 51 2.12.2 Built facilities designated for active leisure ………..…………. 52 2.12.2.1 Kintetsu ropeway…………………………………………….…. 52 2.12.2.2 Amusement parks …………………………………………….... 52 2.12.2.3 African safari ………………………………………………..…. 53 2.12.2.4 Aquarium Umitamago ……………………………………….... 53 2.12.2.5 The sports facilities ………………………………………….…. 53 vii 2.12.3 Built facilities adopted for leisure ………………………... 59 2.12.3.1 Bamboo craft center ……………………………………….. 59 2.12.3.2 Beppu Convention Plaza …………………………………… 60 2.12.3.3 Beppu comprehensive gymnasium ………………………… 60 2.12.4 Build facilities designated for passive leisure …………….. 60 2.12.4.1 The museums ………………………………………………. 60 2.12.4.2 Community education and welfare centers ………………... 62 CHAPTER 03 DATA AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Conceptual framework ……………….. …….………..…. 63 3.2 Research area and geography……………………….…….. 64 3.3 Research methodology…………………………..……….