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Japan's Geopark ecotourism
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Ecotourists will rejoice at options around Japan to visit one of the country’s geologically unique Geoparks. With eight national and three global Geoparks recently created around the country, the Geopark conservation system, which ranges from mountains to coastlines, is quickly gaining approval among the environmentally and historically conscious Japanese population.
What is a Geopark?
Geoparks are an environmental conservation system promoted by UNESCO’s Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences. UNESCO says, “A GEOPARK is a nationally protected area containing a number of geological heritage sites of particular importance, rarity or aesthetic appeal. These Earth heritage sites are part of an integrated concept of protection, education and sustainable development.”
While UNESCO runs the Global Geopark Network, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry oversees a localized variant called the Japan Geopark Network.
What are Japan’s Geoparks?
Japan currently has eleven areas approved to participate in the Japan Geopark Network, of which three belong to the Global Geopark Network. Seven regions were chosen at the start in December of 2008:
Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano – a volcanic region on the Island of Hokkaido in northern Japan. The park has a theme of the symbiosis with the changing Earth.
Itoigawa – an area in Niigata Prefecture that lies in between two of Japan’s main tectonic plates. The Geopark’s area has a long history relating to Japan’s ancient tribes, and holds a theme of the relationship between the Earth and Humans.
Unzen Volcanic Area – a volcano located in the southern island of Kyushu. The area stresses the coexistence of humans and active volcanoes.
Mt. Apoi – part of the southwest Hidaka mountain range in Hokkaido.
The “Southern Alps” – a mountain range in Nagano Prefecture
San’in Kaigan – a coastal region along the Sea of Japan in Kyoto, Hyogo, and Tottori prefectures. It is a region with number geological formations, including the famous Tottori sand dunes.
Muroto – a rocky coastal area along the Pacific Ocean on the island of Shikoku. It was formed from changing sea levels and a catastrophic earthquake.
Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano, Itoigawa, and the Unzen Volcanic Area were designated as part of the Global Geoparks Network by UNESCO in August of 2009.
In October, four more areas were added to the Japan Geopark Network:
Katsuyama’s Fukui Dinosaur Valley – an area in Fukui Prefecture acclaimed for its dinosaur fossils.
Oki Island – an island in the Sea of Japan that belongs to Shimane Prefecture. It is believed to have been connected to the Japanese mainland during the ice age, and is now well known for have a variety of rocks types. It also has a vast wildlife population.
Aso – a giant caldera volcano in Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu Island that has enjoyed a long history with humans.
Amasaku-Goshoura – another area in Kumamoto prefecture. It is filled with fossils of dinosaurs, ancient mammals, and sea life.
Related articles: Japan expands Geopark network
Read more about Japan by the Japan Travel Examiner
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