{"id":11,"date":"2025-05-15T13:38:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T04:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2026-08-21T10:36:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T01:36:05","slug":"top-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/","title":{"rendered":"Top page"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t   \n\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/img00050.jpg\" alt=\"img00050.jpg\" title=\"img00050.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<h1>About Itoigawa Geopark<\/h1>\n<p>Japan&#8217;s Oldest UNESCO Global Geopark!<\/p>\n\t<p>Itoigawa was designated as Japan&#8217;s first Global Geopark in August 2009. Even before Geopark Activities began, Itoigawa has been protecting and utilizing our &#8216;blessings of the land&#8217; to promote education, tourism and sustainable community development.<\/p>\n<p>Our mission is to inspire local residents and visitors alike to discover, experience and treasure the natural and cultural heritage linked to the land.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/igp\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<h1>About Jade<\/h1>\n<p>The National Stone of Japan<\/p>\n\t<p>Jadeite is a rare rock which forms in subduction zones, where the massive tectonic plates covering our planet&#8217;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&#8217;s jadeite stands unrivaled in its quantity and quality, being East Asia&#8217;s only source of gemstone quality jade. Although lost and forgotten for centuries, jade is an invaluable part of Itoigawa&#8217;s geological and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n<p>In September 2016, the Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences selected jadeite to be the National Stone of Japan. In 2022, the Niigata Prefectural Assembly voted to officially designate this beautiful stone as the Prefectural Stone of Niigata.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/igp\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<img src=\"http:\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/img020.jpg\" alt=\"img020.jpg\" title=\"img020.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img180.jpg\" alt=\"img180.jpg\" title=\"img180.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<h1>24 Areas<\/h1>\n\t<p>Itoigawa Geopark covers the entire City of Itoigawa, but the Geopark features 24 thematic areas which showcase particularly important sites and episodes related to the formation of Jade, the birth of the Japanese archipelago and the uplift of Japan&#8217;s mountains, as well as Itoigawa&#8217;s beautiful land, ancient history and vibrant culture.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/\/igp\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<h2>News &amp; Events<\/h2>\n\t<div class=\"event\"><ul class=\"category-posts-internal\"><li class=\"cat-post-item\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/1578\/\" title=\"Wondrous Nature in the Hakuba Foothills Special Exhibition\"  class=\"cat-post-thumbnail cat-post-scale\"><span class=\"cat-post-crop cat-post-format cat-post-format-standard\"><img src=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/\u6728\u5730\u5c4b\u6c11\u4fd7\u8cc7\u6599\u9928\u7279\u5225\u5c55_ENG-800x800.jpg\"  class=\"attachment-150x150x1x270x250 size-150x150x1x270x250 wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-cat-posts-width=\"270\" data-cat-posts-height=\"250\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" width=\"270\" height=\"250\"><\/span><\/a><a class=\"cat-post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/1578\/\">Wondrous Nature in the Hakuba Foothills Special Exhibition<\/a><div class=\"meta-val\"><span class=\"cat-post-tax-category entry-categories post-categories\"><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/category\/event\/\">event<\/a><\/span><span class=\"cat-post-date post-date\">2026\u5e748\u670820\u65e5<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"cat-post-item\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/1491\/\" title=\"5\/8 &#8211; 6\/26 Call for Itoigawa Shimpaku Supporters\"  class=\"cat-post-thumbnail cat-post-scale\"><span class=\"cat-post-crop cat-post-format cat-post-format-standard\"><img src=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/20251026_143448_\u30df\u30cb\u76c6\u683d\u3065\u304f\u308a\u4f53\u9a13-800x533.jpg\"  class=\"attachment-150x150x1x270x250 size-150x150x1x270x250 wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-cat-posts-width=\"270\" data-cat-posts-height=\"250\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" width=\"270\" height=\"250\"><\/span><\/a><a class=\"cat-post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/1491\/\">5\/8 &#8211; 6\/26 Call for Itoigawa Shimpaku Supporters<\/a><div class=\"meta-val\"><span class=\"cat-post-tax-category entry-categories post-categories\"><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/category\/news\/\">news<\/a><\/span><span class=\"cat-post-date post-date\">2026\u5e745\u670818\u65e5<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"cat-post-item\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/366\/\" title=\"Welcome to the New Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark Website!\"  class=\"cat-post-thumbnail cat-post-scale\"><span class=\"cat-post-crop cat-post-format cat-post-format-standard\"><img src=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Itoigawa_GP_Logo_Square-800x800.png\"  class=\"attachment-150x150x1x270x250 size-150x150x1x270x250 wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-cat-posts-width=\"270\" data-cat-posts-height=\"250\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" width=\"270\" height=\"250\"><\/span><\/a><a class=\"cat-post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/366\/\">Welcome to the New Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark Website!<\/a><div class=\"meta-val\"><span class=\"cat-post-tax-category entry-categories post-categories\"><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/category\/news\/\">news<\/a><\/span><span class=\"cat-post-date post-date\">2026\u5e744\u67081\u65e5<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"cat-post-item\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/1554\/\" title=\"Our office has moved!\"  class=\"cat-post-thumbnail cat-post-scale\"><span class=\"cat-post-crop cat-post-format cat-post-format-standard\"><img src=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/NewOffice-800x545.jpg\"  class=\"attachment-150x150x1x270x250 size-150x150x1x270x250 wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-cat-posts-width=\"270\" data-cat-posts-height=\"250\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" width=\"270\" height=\"250\"><\/span><\/a><a class=\"cat-post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/topics\/1554\/\">Our office has moved!<\/a><div class=\"meta-val\"><span class=\"cat-post-tax-category entry-categories post-categories\"><a href=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/category\/news\/\">news<\/a><\/span><span class=\"cat-post-date post-date\">2026\u5e744\u67081\u65e5<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/topics\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSee More News\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/img211.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Benten Iwa Area<br \/>Sunset over <br \/>Benten Iwa Rock<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img090.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Kotakigawa Jade Gorge<br \/>Area<br \/>Takanami-no-Ike Pond<br \/>Mt. My\u014dj\u014d<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img220.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Shind\u014dsan Area<br \/>Beech Forest<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img030.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>\u014cmi Coast Area<br \/>Take-no-Karakai Festival<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img100.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Tsugami Shind\u014d Area<br \/>Tsugami Shind\u014d Trail<\/p>\n      <h2>Photo Gallery<\/h2><p>Beauty of the Geopark<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img020.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Oyashirazu Area<br \/>Rugged Cliffs of <br \/>Oyashirazu<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img120.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>ISTL &amp; Salt Road (South) Area<br \/>\u014czai-no-Kami Tree<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img191.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Amakazariyama Area<br \/>Mt. Amakazari at Daybreak<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img142.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Renge Area<br \/>Hidden Bath above the Clouds <br \/>Senki-no-Yu<\/p>\n          <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img050.jpg\" \/>\n          <p>Imai Area<br \/>Home to a Dragon-God<br \/>Fud\u014dtaki Falls<\/p>\n\t<h2>Links &amp; Related Websites<\/h2>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/discover-itoigawa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ishinomachi.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                01\n                    <h3>Discover Itoigawa<\/h3>\n                    <p>Itoigawa City Tourism Association&#8217;s English geo-itoigawauide<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/yama.geo-itoigawa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tozan.png\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                02\n                    <h3>Itoigawa <br \/>Alpine Guide<\/h3>\n                    <p>Discover Itoigawa&#8217;s mountains<br \/>(Japanese Language)<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/shimpaku.geo-itoigawa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/shin-project.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                03\n                    <h3>Itoigawa Shimpaku <br \/>Project<\/h3>\n                    <p>The King of Bonsai reigns from Itoigawa<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/hanameguri.geo-itoigawa.com\/ajisai.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/d19e914e75bb8e0731e87f4f4a970732.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                04\n                    <h3>Seasons in Bloom<\/h3>\n                    <p>A guide to the shifting colors and seasonal blossoms <br \/>of the Geopark<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itoigawa-kanko.net\/trad_cat\/festival\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/itoigawa-matsuri.png\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                05\n                    <h3>Festivals of Itoigawa<\/h3>\n                    <p>Discover our sacred rhythms and traditions<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/sainokami.geo-itoigawa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sainokami.png\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                06\n                    <h3>Ice and Flame:  <br \/>Sai-no-kami Festivals<\/h3>\n                    <p>Learn more about this ancient New Year&#8217;s tradition<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"\/study\/bousai\/yakeyama\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img201.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                07\n                    <h3>Mt. Yakeyama <br \/>News &amp; Updates<\/h3>\n                    <p>Current Warning Level: <br \/>Level 1<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Tourism-g1021359-Itoigawa_Niigata_Prefecture_Koshinetsu_Chubu-Vacations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"broken_link\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/img141.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                08\n                    <h3>Itoigawa on Trip Advisor<\/h3>\n                    <p>See some of our most popular spots<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/club.montbell.jp\/privilege\/fshop\/aboutarea\/disp.php?friendarea_id=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/img090.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                09\n                    <h3>mont-bell<\/h3>\n                    <p>Find us on Montbell <br \/>(Japanese Language)<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/uminohi.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n            <figure>\n                <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/project.png\" \/>\n            <\/figure>\n                10\n                    <h3>Sea &amp; Japan:  <br \/>Change for the Blue<\/h3>\n                    <p>Working together to save our oceans <br \/>(Japanese Language)<\/p>\n        <\/a>\n\t<h2>Access Information<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/access_map_en.png\" alt=\"A map which shows how to get to Itoigawa from major cities. Air from Fukuoka. Rail and car from Osaka. Rail, Car and Plane from Nagoya. Rail and Car from Kanazawa and Nagano. Rail, car and plane from Tokyo. Rail and Car from Niigata. Plane from Sapporo.\" height=\"1621\" width=\"2083\" title=\"Access Map (English)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n            <a href=\"\/en\/access\/#train\">\n                    <figure>\n                        <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/train.png\" \/>\n                    <\/figure>\n                    <h3>Train<\/h3>\n                    <p>How to Visit by Train<\/p>\n            <\/a>\n            <a href=\"\/en\/access\/#car\">\n                    <figure>\n                        <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/car.png\" \/>\n                    <\/figure>\n                    <h3>Car<\/h3>\n                    <p>How to Visit by Car<\/p>\n            <\/a>\n            <a href=\"\/en\/access\/#plane\">\n                    <figure>\n                        <img src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/plane.png\" \/>\n                    <\/figure>\n                    <h3>Plane<\/h3>\n                    <p>How to Visit by Plane<\/p>\n            <\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/en\/access\/info\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"broken_link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGeopark Site Access Info\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In order to enhance our activities as a hub for the UNESCO Global Geopark, our secretariat has relocated effec [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1588,"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11\/revisions\/1588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/geo-itoigawa.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}