This study examines the development and management of the Herb Island in Japan, and explores influences of the herb garden on a rural community. The result suggested that the development of a herb garden can make a major impact on a rural community's econmoic stability and growth, and low-input cultivation of herbs serves to the ecosystem and soil conservation. In order to foster the herb industry in Korea, three aspcets should be considered. These are as follows. 1. Selection of suitable kinds of herbs and sites for Korean natural environment,and planning for proper landuse should be carried out first. 2. Proper policies for a herb garden to help local economy should be established. 3. Development of programs and experts on environmental education should be included in planning herb gardens in order to contribute to natural environment preservation.