Living with the Kuroshio: How This Land Came to Be
What is a geopark?
The term “geopark” refers to a unified natural area with a significant geological heritage. To be recognized as a geopark, an area must promote the study and conservation of its geological and cultural heritage and the ecosystems this legacy supports, and also apply knowledge of its geological past to local industries and disaster mitigation efforts.
The Tosashimizu Geopark concept
The geological strata at Tosashimizu bear marks from 15 to 20 million years ago, when land at the edge of mainland Asia broke off into the ocean and formed the Japanese archipelago. The land fashioned in this great upheaval eventually gave birth to the seaside landscape and ecosystems that have provided a livelihood for the local people. Tosashimizu works to conserve and highlight this unique natural environment and the seaside lifestyles it supports.
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Kashima Shrine Festival