The Formation of Resort-Type Tourist Areas along Coastal Regions

Abstract

With the increase of income and leisure time, people have vigorously taken up tourism and coastal regions have been increasingly used for such activities. In recent years, coastal regions have been used as not only sea-bathing and sightseeing spots, but also as multipurpose recreational spaces, including facilities for athletic and marine sports and lodges. Such places are termed resort-type tourist areas.This study clarifies the processes and conditions that lead to the formation of tourist areas by taking up, as an example, the resort-type tourist area. The settlement of Hazako in Hamajima-cho, Mie Prefecture, where the first opening of a coastal resort (Nemu-no-sato) in Japan was located, was chosen for investigation. This settlement is located on the Osaki Peninsula along Ago Bay which is a most noted scenic area. This area had been used for reclaimed land for farm production, forests and waste land. Pearl and green layer farms had been established in the sea around the peninsula. Nemu-no-sato, extending over 1.7 square kilometers, opened in 1967.The summary about conditions leading to the formation of resort-type tourist areas is as follows:Osaki Peninsula is a suitable area for the locating of a coastal resort due to transportation, climate and scenery. In addition, Nihon Gakki Product Co. invested a large amount capital in building its establishment. In addition, it was possible to get possession of lands for building in a short space of time.