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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.

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(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.

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Tateiwa Rock (Kyotango City)

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Genbudo Cave (Toyooka City)

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Saruodaki Waterfalls (Kami Town)

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    Ueyama Highlands (Shin’onsen Town)

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    Sengan Matsushima (Iwami Town)

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    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.

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Link to the information on sister geopark “Lesvos UNESCO Global Geopark” Link to the official site of the Lesvos UNESCO Global Geopark.

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
山陰海岸ジオパーク京丹後市情報センター

(B)Genbudo Park Information Center

Exhibits information about the origin of Genbudo Cave and basalt.

Link to official web site
玄武洞公園案内所

(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
ジオパークと海の文化館

(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
山陰海岸ジオパーク館

(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
海と大地の自然館

(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
岩美町立渚交流館

(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
鳥取砂丘ビジターセンター

(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
あおや郷土館