[O-04] Geoparks in Japan

[O04-P09] Mt.Tsukuba area geopark project

*toshitsugu Shibahara¹ (1.Mt.Tsukuba Area Geopark Promotion Council)

Mt.tsukuba area geopark project“Mountains and a lake on the Kanto plains” is the main theme of Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark, and “rock, soil and water connecting people to nature” is the sub-theme.Three geographical features are highlights of the Geopark. The first, you can see mountains. The Tsukuba Mountains, whose massif is Mt. Tsukuba, one of the Japanese hundred greatest mountains, are at the center of the area, and the Keisoku Mountains are in northern area. The second, there is Lake Kasumigaura. The lake is used to be an inland sea and traces still remain. The last, there spread the Kanto Plains. These wide open plains embrace these mountains and the lake.In Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark, you can enjoy natural landscapes and history of geomorphology and geology. People living in Mt. Tsukuba area have made better use of rocks, soil and water, and have developed agriculture, fisheries, the ceramic industry, the stone industry and so on. Moreover, people have created culture and religion unique to the area.We should appreciate the blessings of nature and industries, cultures and religion born in the Mt. Tsukuba area. It is our mission to hand down the local traditions to the next generation.