Rikuchu Kaigan National Park

Rikuchu Kaigan National Park
陸中海岸国立公園
IUCN category II (national park)
284px northern coastline of Rikuchu Kaigan NP
Location	Honshū, Japan
Coordinates
Area	121.98 km2
Established	May 2, 1955
Governing body	Ministry of the Environment (Japan)

Rikuchū Kaigan National Park (陸中海岸国立公園, Rikuchū Kaigan Kokuritsu Kōen) is a national park in the Tohoku region of Honshū in northern Japan. The park extends for 180 kilometers from north to south along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean from northern Miyagi prefecture to northern Iwate prefecture. The park was created on May 2, 1955, and covers a land area of 121.98 square kilometres (47.10 sq mi).

The entire coastline is noted for examples of sea erosion, with numerous rock pillars and islands. The northern coast is an example of an uplifted coastline, and is an area which has been subject to several strong earthquakes and tsunami in recent history. The southern coast is an example of a ria coastline of submerged river valleys, with deep inlets and narrow peninsulas, forming many small bays and coves.

Flora includes groves of Japanese red pine, rhododendrons and Rosa rugosa. Fauna includes numerous bird species, including the black-tailed gull and shearwater. In terms of larger animals, there have also been sightings of the kamoshika.

In 2013 the park was incorporated into Sanriku Fukkō National Park.

See also

• List of national parks of Japan

External links

• home page

Template:National parks of Japan