Restoring the Alpine Flower Meadows at Sanpuku Pass in the Southern Alps through Crowdfunding for Deer Fence Restoration

Sanpuku Pass (Sanpuku-toge), a gateway to Mount Shiomine—one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains—welcomes numerous hikers each year. Shizuoka Prefecture has long installed deer fences to protect the alpine flower meadows from deer grazing. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, restricted operations led to damage of the fences at Sanpuku Pass, resulting in the near-complete loss of the eastern flower meadow. The disappearance of these meadows threatens the habitats of rare species such as the rock ptarmigan and alpine butterflies. If left unaddressed, exposed soil could lead to irreversible loss of these fragile ecosystems. To revive the flower meadows before it’s too late, Shizuoka Prefecture, with support from YAMAP Co., Ltd.—operator of a hiking app—is launching a crowdfunding campaign to restore the deer fences. We kindly ask for your support to pass on the natural heritage of the Southern Alps, a UNESCO EcoPark and “global treasure,” to future generations. 1. Campaign Period: June 12 (Fri), Reiwa 8 – November 16 (Mon), Reiwa 8 2. Funding Goal: 3,000,000 JPY 3. How to Donate - Donations can be made via the “YAMAP Furusato Nozei” website or “Furusato Choice.” - Donations (excluding a personal contribution of 2,000 JPY) are eligible for tax deductions under Japan’s hometown tax system, regardless of donor residence. URL: https://furusato.yamap.com/gcf/projects/5317 * “YAMAP Furusato Nozei” is a nature-focused hometown tax service operated by YAMAP Co., Ltd. in partnership with the “Furusato Choice” portal. URL: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/5317?utm_source=shizuokaken&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lgmk_22000 * Donation handling and tax benefits are identical regardless of which platform is used. ■ For Those Unable to Donate Online We will mail a postal payment form upon request. (Shizuoka Prefecture Nature Conservation Division, 054-221-2963, shizenhogo@pref.shizuoka.lg.jp) 4. Use of Funds - Costs for installing new fencing to close gaps caused by damaged or removed deer fences (restoration) - Purchase of materials for new deer fences and helicopter transport costs - Volunteer activity expenses for on-site work * All donations will be used for this project, regardless of whether the funding goal is met. 5. Additional Information - While no thank-you gifts will be provided, donors’ names (optional) will be displayed at the Sanpuku Hut and on official websites. 6. Support Messages Mountaineer and Mountain Writer, Akihiro Oishi The first time I saw the alpine flower meadow on Mount Arakawa in the Southern Alps, I was stunned. A vivid yellow slope stretched across my entire field of vision, like a world above the clouds. I had run up from the trailhead that morning, unaware of what awaited me, and stood frozen in awe. I realized such miraculous natural scenery exists so close by—no need to travel to the ends of the earth. That meadow later shrank due to deer grazing, but thanks to protective fencing, it is now recovering. I’ve never seen it myself, but I’ve heard Sanpuku Pass once had a flower meadow just as vast as Arakawa’s. Today, due to the collapse of deer fences, that meadow is on the brink of extinction. I want to experience that same awe at Sanpuku Pass. And I want to preserve that vision for future generations. Just a short distance from Shizuoka’s cities lies a world more beautiful than imagination. This beauty will surely enrich our lives—and those of future generations. 7. Contact Information Shizuoka Prefecture, Bureau of Environment, Nature Conservation Division (Address) 9-6 Otamachi, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, 6th Floor, West Building, Shizuoka Prefectural Office (Phone) 054-221-2963 (Email) shizenhogo@pref.shizuoka.lg.jp