This research investigates the risk landscape of Tadami Biosphere Reserve, situated in the mountainous region of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The study evaluates the influence of sense of place, derived from human interactions with their biophysical environment, on community resilience to natural hazards. It investigates the evolving relationship between the residents of Tadami and their living environment over time, providing anthropological insights into how its cultural landscapes have developed as expression of these relationships. These landscapes are still today maintained through local-management measures, informed by local knowledge and community-based cultural practices. Adopted methods include participant observation, in-depth interviews, and a participatory workshop. Data was consequently coded with the support of NVivo as qualitative data analysis software, and results’ meanings were further analyzed against anthropological literature.

Results underscore the role played by traditional ecological knowledge and land management practices. It resulted that the preservation of beech forests, for example, is associated to water control management and flood risk reduction. Similarly, other mountain-management beliefs and practices can be found in association to local belief systems, such as the matagi hunting culture, or the presence of shrines located in proximities to mountain forests. At the same time, results also highlight current challenges to the continuity of such knowledge and practices, due to climatic and economic changes and rural outmigration, in addition to challenges posed by landscape fragmentation and the loss of cultural practices.

Findings aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of how cultural landscapes and sense of place can influence community resilience, offering to policy makers, decision makers and practitioners valuable insights on the crucial role played by mountain UNESCO Biosphere Reserves for resilient communities.