San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark (San’in Kaigan National Park)
Geopark means a kind of natural parks with geological heritages that are scientifically special, important, and valuable or that are beautiful. Geological features and landforms not only tell us the history of the earth but also have direct associations with peoples’ life and cultures. Geoparks are places for learning and enjoying such land’s workings as a kind of heritages. Geopark activities are conducted by Global Geoparks Network (GGN), an official program of UNESCO.
San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark, which was approved as a member of GGN in October 2010, extends about 120km from the east end of Kyotango City to the west end of Tottori City across the San’in Kaigan National Park and has an area of 2,458.44km2, which is one size larger than the Tokyo metropolitan area. The Kasumi coast located at the center of the San’in Kaigan National Park is designated as a national site of scenic beauty, so you can enjoy its beautiful and magnificent view in all seasons. You will feel the mystery of nature from many oddly-shaped rocks and a cliff with a series of sea caves created through erosion by raging waves of the Japan Sea.
