Outline of Japan and Global Geopark
What is Geopark?
(1)What is Geopark?
Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
In 2004, with UNESCO’s support, geoparks of European countries, China, Japan, and other countries came together to form the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). In October 2010, the San’in Kaigan Geopark was validated to the GGN. In September 2014, the San’in Kaigan Geopark expanded its area and was revalidated to the GGN. In 2015, the GGN became an official program of UNESCO.

(2)Differences between world heritage sites and global geoparks
Unlike the world heritage sites that are designated mainly for preservation, geoparks aim not only to conserve natural heritage featuring geology but also to use such heritage for education and regional revitalization. It is in this aspect that geoparks are different from world heritage sites. Also, with respect to geoparks, at the occasions of validation and revalidation, emphasis is placed not only on sites but also on activities conducted there (e.g. educational programs, tour guide training, and community promotion measures) and organizations managing the geoparks. Moreover, unlike world heritages, geoparks are subject to revalidation every four years.
(3)How to enjoy geopark.
If you want to enjoy geopark, we recommend you guided tour.
You can experience the precious landscape, culture, and nature that are difficult to notice in ordinary sightseeing, such as the origin of the land and the background of beautiful landscapes.
You, also, can get various information concerning geopark from each of the core facility. After the geosite tour is over or after visiting facility, take your time enjoying the other aspects of the geopark as well. For example, you can enjoy delicious local food or refresh yourself in a hot, relaxing spa, which is one of the gifts from the “Geo.”

●Further information on geopark
Japanese Geopark Network (brochure prepared by UNESCO) Japan Geopark Committee (UNESCO Guide line) Japan Geopark Committee (What is Geopark) Japan Geopark Committee (Application and designation flow for Geoparks in Japan)Global Geopark Network (GGN)
The number of sites in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network is 195 in 48 countries as of May 2023.
Global Geopark Network (GGN) (oversea sites)Japanese Geopark Network (JGN)
As of May 2023, 46 geoparks are designated as Japanese Geopark Network by the Japan Geopark Committee. Among them, 10 geoparks are designated as UNESCCO Global Geopark.
Japanese Geopark Network (JGN) (Official Site)●As of May 2023, the JGN regular membership consists of 10 UNESCO Global Geoparks in Japan and 36 Japanese National Geoparks.
★Toyo-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark , Hokkaido | ★Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, Niigata Prefecture |
★Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark, Nagasaki Prefecture | ★Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark Park, Kochi Prefecture |
★San’in Kaigan UNESCCO Global Geopark, Kyoto, Hyogo and Tottori Prefectures | ★Oki Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Shimane Prefecture |
★Aso UNESCO Global Geopark, Kumamoto Prefecture | ★Mt. Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark, Hokkaido |
★Izu Penisula UNESCO Global Geopark, Shizuoka Prefecture | ★Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark, Ishikawa Prefecture |
★Dainosaur Valley Fukui Katsuyama Geopark, Fukui Prefecture | ★Minami-Alps (MTL) Geopark, Nagano and Shizuoka Prefectures |
★Izu Oshima Geopark, Tokyo | ★Kirishima Geopark, Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures |
★Oga Peninsula-Ogata Geopark, Akita Prefecture | ★Bandaisan Geopark, Fukushima Prefecture |
★Chichibu Geopark, Saitama Prefecture | ★Shimonita Geopark, Gunma Prefecture |
★Happo-Shirakami, Akita Prefecture | ★Yuzawa Geopark, Akita Prefecture |
★Choshi Geopark, Chiba Prefecture | ★Hakone Geopark, Kanagawa Prefecture |
★Sanriku Geopark, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures | ★Mikasa Geopark, Hokkaido |
★Shikoku Seiyo Geopark, Ehime Prefecture | ★Sado Island Geopark, Niigata Prefecture |
★Oita Bungoono Geopark, Oita Prefecture | ★Oita Himeshima Geopark, Ooita Prefecture |
★Tokachi Shikaoi Geopark, Hokkaido | ★Sakurajima-Kinkouwan Geopark, Kagoshima Prefecture |
★Nanki Kumano Geopark, Wakayama Prefecture | ★Tateyama-Kurobe Geopark, Toyama Prefecture |
★Mishima Kikai Caldera Geopark, Kagoshima Prefecture | ★Shirataki Geopark, Hokkaido |
★Naeba Sanroku Geopark, Niigata and Nagano Prefectures | ★Mine-Akiyoshidai Krast Plateau Geopark, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
★Shimokita Geopark, Aomori Prefecture | ★Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark, Miyagi Prefecture |
★Mt. Asama North Geopark, Gunma Prefecture | ★Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark , Ibaraki Prefecture |
★Shimane Peninsula and Shinjiko Nakaumi Estuary Geopark, Shimane Prefecture | ★Mt. Chokai and Tobishima Island Geopark, Yamagata and Akita Prefectures |
★Hagi Geopark, Yamaguchi Prefecture | ★Tokachidake Geopark, Hokkaido |
★Tosashimizu Geopark, Kochi Prefecture | |
★Goto Islands (Shimogoto Area) Geopark, Nagasaki Prefecture |