2:55 PM - 3:15 PM
[MIS15-16] Attractiveness of Mountain Research in Itoigawa Geopark and Its Application in Geopark Activities
★Invited Papers
Keywords:mountains research, Itoigawa geopark, remains of the ice age, Renge mine, Tsugami Shindo trail, Jade culture
Characteristics of Mountain Regions in Itoigawa Geopark
The Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line (ISTL) runs north-south and is flanked on the east by the Kubiki Mountains (Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, elevation 2,000 m) and on the west by the Hida Mountain (Chubu Sangaku National Park, elevation 3,000 m). These mountains tell the story of an island arc born at the convergent boundary of two plates. The mountains are home to the active volcano Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama, Japan’s first confirmed glaciated topography and the Shirouma Renzan Alpine Plant Belt (Special Natural Monument). The mountainous regions provide invaluable Geopark resources related not only to the formation of the land around us, but also biological diversity, mining heritage and more.
Remains of the Ice Age
While climbing Mt. Norikura in the northern part of the Hida Mountains as part of a volcanological survey as part of the Tectonic Disaster Prevention Survey, Naomasa Yamazaki first discovered the remnants of a glacier in Japan. The Shirouma Renzan Alpine Plant Belt (Special Natural Monument) is a relic of the ice age, shaped by the area’s geology, topography and climate. Guided tours are held for children and adults visiting the fumarole belt and wetland flora near Renge Hot Springs and Shiraike Pond which was formed by a landslide.
Tsugami Shindo Trail: Connecting the Sea of Japan to the Japanese Alps
Starting at the Sea of Japan and following the ridge of the Hida Mountains, the change of flora with elevation can be easily observed on the Tsugami Shindo Trail. This is well explained in a permanent exhibit at the Fossa Magna Museum (hereinafter “the Museum”) and in the Museum Research Reports. In 2021 the trail celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition and lecture by Youki Tanaka, known for his Great Traverse series. Videos were also recorded of the trail. Along the ridge, surveys were conducted by Niigata University, the National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology and the Museum. Itoigawa is home to many enjoyable mountains and a small local mountaineering club has maintained the trail, but its members are aging so discussion has begun on how to maintain the trail in the future.
Renge Mine and Mt. Shirouma
Walter Weston climbed Mt. Shirouma via Renge Hot Springs in 1894. In his diary, he wrote about visiting a mine along the way where he was shown some ore and asked his opinion about its quality. That mine was the Renge Mine, which sat at an elevation of over 2,400 m at the base of Mt. Yukikura, and is known to have been developed in the early 20th century by the grandfather of Mikio Mishima and a priest of Mt. Tateyama. Remains of the minehead, offices, and refineries can still be seen today and their change in location and mining rights have been researched. There was also a woodworking group called Kijiya, specializing in making bowls and utensils, which settled in this area after roaming the country looking for an ideal forest.
Jade Culture Nurtured by a Massive Uplift
The Jomon Period jade pendants are thought to be among the oldest examples of jade culture in the world. This jade was collected along Itoigawa beaches and rivers. Jade formed deep in plate subduction belts and was pushed to the surface by uplift where it was discovered by the Jomon People. The jade localities in Itoigawa’s mountains are protected as Natural Monuments and jade culture is explained as a gift given by the mountain formation. Jade exposed in mountain regions was crafted in pendants while nephrite as used to make polished axes using sandstone as a grindstone. This jade route connecting the mountains and the sea was uncovered by joint research in geology and archaeology. The results of this research are on display at the Chojagahara Achaeological Museum with hands-on learning programs to teach visitors about jade crafting and the life of the Jomon People.
Mountain Studies and Geoparks
Through uplift, the strata of mountains regions can provide information about areas deep underground. It also represents nature unspoiled by human influences and areas where people have lived in a way that doesn’t damage natural processes. The use of stones from mountainous areas has a long history and the lives of those in valleys cannot be separated from the mountains. Mountainous regions hold a lot of value for Geoparks, but accessibility and route maintenance are becoming an issue. More cooperation is needed between Geoparks and Mountain Studies.
The Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line (ISTL) runs north-south and is flanked on the east by the Kubiki Mountains (Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park, elevation 2,000 m) and on the west by the Hida Mountain (Chubu Sangaku National Park, elevation 3,000 m). These mountains tell the story of an island arc born at the convergent boundary of two plates. The mountains are home to the active volcano Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama, Japan’s first confirmed glaciated topography and the Shirouma Renzan Alpine Plant Belt (Special Natural Monument). The mountainous regions provide invaluable Geopark resources related not only to the formation of the land around us, but also biological diversity, mining heritage and more.
Remains of the Ice Age
While climbing Mt. Norikura in the northern part of the Hida Mountains as part of a volcanological survey as part of the Tectonic Disaster Prevention Survey, Naomasa Yamazaki first discovered the remnants of a glacier in Japan. The Shirouma Renzan Alpine Plant Belt (Special Natural Monument) is a relic of the ice age, shaped by the area’s geology, topography and climate. Guided tours are held for children and adults visiting the fumarole belt and wetland flora near Renge Hot Springs and Shiraike Pond which was formed by a landslide.
Tsugami Shindo Trail: Connecting the Sea of Japan to the Japanese Alps
Starting at the Sea of Japan and following the ridge of the Hida Mountains, the change of flora with elevation can be easily observed on the Tsugami Shindo Trail. This is well explained in a permanent exhibit at the Fossa Magna Museum (hereinafter “the Museum”) and in the Museum Research Reports. In 2021 the trail celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition and lecture by Youki Tanaka, known for his Great Traverse series. Videos were also recorded of the trail. Along the ridge, surveys were conducted by Niigata University, the National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology and the Museum. Itoigawa is home to many enjoyable mountains and a small local mountaineering club has maintained the trail, but its members are aging so discussion has begun on how to maintain the trail in the future.
Renge Mine and Mt. Shirouma
Walter Weston climbed Mt. Shirouma via Renge Hot Springs in 1894. In his diary, he wrote about visiting a mine along the way where he was shown some ore and asked his opinion about its quality. That mine was the Renge Mine, which sat at an elevation of over 2,400 m at the base of Mt. Yukikura, and is known to have been developed in the early 20th century by the grandfather of Mikio Mishima and a priest of Mt. Tateyama. Remains of the minehead, offices, and refineries can still be seen today and their change in location and mining rights have been researched. There was also a woodworking group called Kijiya, specializing in making bowls and utensils, which settled in this area after roaming the country looking for an ideal forest.
Jade Culture Nurtured by a Massive Uplift
The Jomon Period jade pendants are thought to be among the oldest examples of jade culture in the world. This jade was collected along Itoigawa beaches and rivers. Jade formed deep in plate subduction belts and was pushed to the surface by uplift where it was discovered by the Jomon People. The jade localities in Itoigawa’s mountains are protected as Natural Monuments and jade culture is explained as a gift given by the mountain formation. Jade exposed in mountain regions was crafted in pendants while nephrite as used to make polished axes using sandstone as a grindstone. This jade route connecting the mountains and the sea was uncovered by joint research in geology and archaeology. The results of this research are on display at the Chojagahara Achaeological Museum with hands-on learning programs to teach visitors about jade crafting and the life of the Jomon People.
Mountain Studies and Geoparks
Through uplift, the strata of mountains regions can provide information about areas deep underground. It also represents nature unspoiled by human influences and areas where people have lived in a way that doesn’t damage natural processes. The use of stones from mountainous areas has a long history and the lives of those in valleys cannot be separated from the mountains. Mountainous regions hold a lot of value for Geoparks, but accessibility and route maintenance are becoming an issue. More cooperation is needed between Geoparks and Mountain Studies.