Greetings from the Representative
Address of the president of the San’in Kaigan Geopark Promotion Council
I am Takeshi Kadomama, Mayor of Toyooka City and Chairman of the San'in Kaigan Geopark Promotion Council.
The San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark spans Kyoto Prefecture (Kyotango City), Hyogo Prefecture (Toyooka City, Kami Town, Shin’onsen Town), and Tottori Prefecture (Iwami Town, Tottori City). Its area is larger than Tokyo, stretching approximately 120 km east to west and up to about 30 km north to south.
The President of the San’in Kaigan Promotion Council Takeshi Kadoma
This vast San'in Kaigan Geopark bears the imprint of the diverse topography and geological history of the Japanese archipelago, from the time it was part of the Eurasian continent through the formation of the Sea of Japan to the present day. This means it is not merely an area rich in geological resources, but also a region where one can encounter diverse local resources - the wildlife, people's livelihoods, culture, and history - that have evolved against this backdrop.
The geopark promotes bottom-up initiatives by raising awareness of the importance of local geological heritage through education and other means. This fosters pride among local residents and encourages them to take the lead in activities. Furthermore, beyond protecting geological heritage, activities are underway to utilize these assets for regional revitalization and tourism, creating vibrancy throughout the entire area.
Through these activities, we connect as a network with regions domestically and globally, sharing experiences and knowledge while envisioning a hopeful future and aiming to realize a sustainable society.