About Itoigawa Geopark
Japan's Oldest UNESCO Global Geopark!
Itoigawa City was designated as Japan's first Global Geopark in August 2009. We have been dedicated from the beginning to protecting and utilizing our region's 'blessings of the land' for education, tourism and sustainable community development.
Our mission is to inspire local residents and visitors alike to discover and treasure our irreplaceable Earth.
About Jade
The National Stone of Japan
In September 2016, the Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences selected jadeite, a stone which holds a special place in Itoigawa's culture and history, as the National Stone of Japan. In 2022, the Niigata Prefectural Assembly voted to officially designate this beautiful stone as the Prefectural Stone of Niigata.
Jadeite is a rare rock which forms in subduction zones, where the massive tectonic plates covering our planet's surface plunge deep into the mantle. The Japanese archipelago sits atop such a subduction zone and jadeite deposits can be found across the country, but Itoigawa's jadeite stands unrivaled in its quantity and quality, being East Asia's only source of gemstone quality jade.
24 Areas
All of Itoigawa City is designated as part of the Geopark, but we have highlighted 24 thematic areas where you can discover and enjoy learning about the formation of the Japanese archipelago as well as Itoigawa's land, history and culture.
Benten Iwa Area
Sunset over
Benten Iwa Rock
Kotakigawa Jade Gorge
Area
Takanami-no-Ike Pond
Mt. Myōjō
Shindōsan Area
Beech Forest
Ōmi Coast Area
Take-no-Karakai Festival
Tsugami Shindō Area
Tsugami Shindō Trail
Photo Gallery
Beauty of the Geopark
Oyashirazu Area
Rugged Cliffs of
Oyashirazu
ISTL & Salt Road (South) Area
Ōzai-no-Kami Tree
Amakazariyama Area
Mt. Amakazari at Daybreak
Renge Area
Hidden Bath above the Clouds
Senki-no-Yu
Imai Area
Home to a Dragon-God
Fudōtaki Falls
