Overview of San’in Kaigan Geopark
Overview of San'in Kaigan Geopark
The San’in Kaigan Geopark was admitted to the Global Geopark Network in October 2010, and in 2014 it was revalidated including extended area. In 2015, it was decided that the operation of the global geopark was conducted by UNESCO. Then after, the on-site evaluation for the second revalidation was conducted in 2018 and as the result, the San’in Kaigan Geopark will hold its position as a global geopark for another four years until 2022.
（1）Development of San’in Kaigan Geopark
| September, 2007 | Establishment of the San’in Kaigan Geopark Promotion council (Office: Shin’onsen Town) |
|---|---|
| December, 2008 | Validated to Japanese Geopark |
| January, 2009 | Council office moved from Shin’onsen Town to Tajima Prefectural Office, Toyooka City |
| October, 2010 | Validated to Global Geopark Network |
| December, 2013 | Revalidated to Japanese Geopark (the extended area of the western part of Tottori city is included) |
| September, 2014 | Revalidation of Global Geopark |
| November, 2015 | UNESCO started to conduct operation of Global Geopark. |
| September, 2017 | Conditionally revalidated to Japanese Geopark Park for two years (Yellow card was given) |
| February, 2019 | Revalidation of UNESCO Global Geopark (on-site evaluation was conducted in 2018) Conditions for revalidation of Japanese Geopark was taken out (Green card was given.) |
（2）Characteristics of the San’in Kaigan Geopark
Extending widely from Kyoto Prefecture (Kyotango City) to Hyogo Prefecture (Toyooka City, Kami Town, and Shin’onsen Town) , to Tottori Prefecture (Iwami Town and Tottori City) and largely overlapping with San’ in Kaigan National Park, the San’in Kaigan Geopark lies about 120 km east-west from the eastern end of Kyotango City to the western end of Tottori City. With an area 2,458.44 km2, the Geopark is a little larger than the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.
There are diverse geological features and topography formed during times from the formation of the Sea of Japan to the present, and it is an area where you can experience the lives, culture and history of the creatures and people nurtured against these backgrounds.
One of the outstanding characteristics of the San’in Kaigan Geopark is that it contains many valuable geological and geomorphological heritages. They include igneous rocks and geological formations used to be a part of the Eurasian continent and ones related to the formation of the Sea of Japan, and diverse coastal terrains, such as ria coast and sand dunes formed by the sea-level change and tectonic movement of the Sea of Japan.
Since old days, people have inhabited the geopark area, and so we can still observe the culture and history that they have developed in its diverse natural surroundings. Making the best of these advantages, the San’in Kaigan Geopark is conducting activities that will lead to the conservation of natural heritage and regional revitalization through local geotourism.
Tateiwa Rock (Kyotango City)
Genbudo Cave (Toyooka City)
Saruodaki Waterfalls (Kami Town)
Ueyama Highlands (Shin’onsen Town)
Sengan Matsushima (Iwami Town)
Tottori Sand Dunes (Tottori City)
（3）Sister Geopark “Lesvos UNESCO Global Geopark"
The San’in Kaigan UNESO Global Geopark has a sister geopark relation with “Lesvos UNESCO Global Geopark”
The San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark and Lesvos UNESCO Global Geopark entered into a sister affiliation in February 2011. We are cooperating in exchanging information on the protection and utilization of resources, introducing and promoting the geoparks, etc.
The themes of the San’in Kaigan Geopark
Diverse features of geology, topography, climate and people’s lives related to the formation of the Sea of Japan
Core facilities of the San’in Kaigan Geopark
＊You can get information and materials concerning the San’in Kaigan Geopark and neighboring geological sites.
＊Local groups are conducting geopark activities based on the facilities.
（A）San’in Kaigan Geopark Kyotango City Information Center
(Roadside Station Tenki Tenki Tango)
Roadside station overlooking Tateiwa Rock. It exhibits such as the singing sand of Kyotango and photographs of the highlights. It is a facility to collect information before visiting geological site.
Link to official web site
（B）Genbudo Park Information Center
Exhibits information about the origin of Genbudo Cave and basalt.
Link to official web site
（C）Kami Town Geopark and Sea Culture Center
Introducing the charm of Kami Town and the culture of people who have lived while receiving blessings of the Sea of Japan.
Link to official web site
（D）Shin’onsen Town San’in Kaigan Geopark Center
Exhibits various rocks of the San’in Kaigan Geopark and providing experience learning opportunities to visitors of all ages.
Link to official web site
（E）San’in Kaigan Geopark Museum of the Earth and Sea
This is an exhibition facility about the nature of the San'in Kaigan Geopark.
Link to official web site
（F）Iwami Town Nagisa Community Center
It is a nature experience facility providing visitors with opportunities to experience the nature of Uradome Coast such as sea kayaking and snorkeling experiences.
Link to official web site
（G）Tottori Sand Dunes Visitor Center
Exhibits the phenomena created by sand and wind, such as the formation of coastal dunes and wind patterns on sand.
Link to official web site
（H）Aoya Folk Museum
Introducing special exhibitions on history and culture, and the attractions of singing sand, Inshu Japanese paper, and Ama (women diver) fishing.
Link to official web site
