UNESCO Field Revalidation Report

The field evaluation for the revalidation of Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark wasconducted from October 11 to 13 by Kristin Rangnes (Norway), general manager of Gea Norvegica
UNESCO Global Geopark, and Rasanubari Asmah (aka Rasa, Malaysia), a geologist at Langkawi
UNESCO Global Geopark). The two evaluators arrived at the Izu Peninsula on October 10. Having
completed their three-day field inspection, on October 14 they presented their review and gave apress conference before leaving Japan.

Key Points of Revalidation
Izu Peninsula Geopark was designated as an UNESCO Global Geopark in April 2018. Normally,field evaluations are conducted every four years to determine whether or not geoparks are to receive
revalidation. A field inspection of Izu was supposed to take place last year, but it was delayed by
one year because evaluators were unable to enter Japan due to Covid pandemic restrictions.
The two main points of the inspection were: 1) how much improvement has been made following
the nine "recommendations for improvement" presented at the time of global recognition four years
ago, and 2) whether the Geopark has steadily implemented Geopark activities over the past fouryears. The secretariat selected inspection sites with an emphasis on answering these questions,and developed explanations with the geoguides who were to guide the evaluators. The previous
field inspection (in 2017) focused on establishing the geological importance of the Izu Peninsula
and included 16 sites. This time, the emphasis was on showing people's activities rather thangeological values, and the number of inspection sites was narrowed to ten (seven geosites andthree visitor centers, including two other sites that overlap).
In the evaluators' review on the 14th, they indicated their intention to consider the matter in detailand issue "recommendations for improvement" in the future. The vice president of the Geopark,
Yutaka Kikuchi, expressed confidence that it would be revalidated. Below is a report on the fieldevaluation.

October 10
Briefing (Hotel in Izu)
Research fellows Katsuhiko Asahi and Shyuji Tsuji gave an overview of Izu Peninsula Geoparkand explained the schedule from the 11th. They also explained their work since UGGPdesignation in 2018, and took a few questions.

October 11
Briefing (Georia)"The Izu Peninsula is rich in diversity, including ocean, mountains, and hot springs,” said Takeshi
Toyooka, chairperson of the Izu Peninsula Geopark and Tourism Bureau. “The theme of Izu
Peninsula Geopark, ‘The Gift of a Volcano from the South,’ expresses the feelings of the peopleof Izu well. Our slogan is ‘Unite the Peninsula.’ We want to come together in our diversity toenhance the beautiful Izu Peninsula." The research fellows also explained the response to eachof the "recommendations for improvement" items presented at the time of global geopark
designation. The evaluators asked many questions about the organisational integration in April of
this year, as well as the agreements with partner businesses and what kind of collaborative
projects are being developed.
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Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces
Selecting the reverberatory furnace as an inspection site
was intended to articulate the collaboration between theGeopark and the World
Cultural Heritage site.
The evaluators were
met in front of theGuidance Center byTakeshi Isozaki, Deputy
Mayor of Izunokuni. “We
signed a comprehensive
partnership agreement with Geopark last December,” said
Isozaki in his address. “I hope the World Cultural Heritage site and Geopark will have a synergistic
effect by taking advantage of each other's features.” Next, Yuichiro Kudo, chief of the city's culturalproperties section, gave the evaluators a tour of the reverberatory furnaces. The evaluators asked
things such as why a reverberatory furnace was built on this site, and whether any records
remained of the people who worked at the time of construction. They also exchanged views withgeopark research fellows on how to deepen collaboration in the future.
Wasabi Fields
Guided by geoguide Hiroo Ando, the evaluators took a tour of the wasabi fields of Ikadaba in Izu
on e-bikes (electric-assisted bicycles). At Koarashi Bridge, wasabi producer Yoshihiro Shioya
explained the cultivation method and history ofwasabi while holding a freshly picked wasabi plantin his hand. The evaluators were curious about
wasabi, which they had never seen before, andasked a flurry of questions such as how manyvarieties there are, how they can be distinguished,
and whether they flower. At Koarashi Bridge,
research fellow Asahi introduced a geo-signboard
created in collaboration with GIAHS (GloballyImportant Agricultural Heritage Systems program).
They also stopped by Takaso, a wasabi pickle shop, where they enjoyed a hands-on experiencegrating wasabi under the guidance of Noritoshi Takamura. Although surprised by the spiciness of
the wasabi, they enjoyed adding a little to foods such as satsuma-age (fried fish cake).

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October 12
Yugashima Literary TourThe evaluators were given a literary tour in the Yugashima
area, where the creation of a literary village is underway.
Geoguide Makiko Suzuki introduced them the area, which isassociated with Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata
and where Yasushi Inoue spent his -boyhood. In the “UpperHouse”, Akiko Okada, caretaker of Asunaro-kai (Inoue Yasushi
commemorationgroup),
talked about the writer's
novel Shirobamba. “This work from Inoue's youth depicts manyof the places he visited. I adore Inoue, and we often readShirobamba together," she explained. "We have a theatre group,too, and we hold handicraft classes and mini-concerts at thehouse above this one. In cooperation with Geo, we have also
opened the Geo Literary Café". The evaluators had many followup questions, such as whether anyone was living in this house now, and where the theatrecompany performed. Later, guided by Suzuki, they enjoyed an autumn stroll along the Yumichi hot
spring path.
Koganezaki
The evaluators were greeted by the mayor of Nishiizu, Joshin
Hoshino, and observed eight sixth-grade students from Nishiizu
Municipal Kamo Elementary School undergoing geo-learning atKoganezaki. Haruki Tsuchiya, the geoguide for the elementary
school students, pointed out a rock in front of them shaped justlike a horse, and told them there were more animal-shaped
rocks in Nishiizu. Calling the town a kind of zoo for strangeshaped rocks, he urged the schoolchildren to look out for other such local treasures. Then, when
he faced Suruga Bay and explained that it was 2,500 meters deep, the children rolled their eyes
in wonder. The evaluators listened to these explanations through an interpreter and took notes
intently. The group then moved to the Nishiizu Visitors Center, Koganesuto, where Yoshie Nakata,president of the Izu Peninsula Geoguide Association, explained the operation of Koganesuto andthe activities of their association.
Dogashima
The evaluators experienced a geo-excursion on a sightseeing
boat. Their geoguide Nakata shared stories from her own life,and since the evaluators were both geologists, she also
explained various traces ofundersea volcanoes, such as
underwater debris flow visible
from the boat. The evaluators
were keen to take lots of photos. They gave an involuntary gasp
as the boat entered Tensodo Cave, the climax of the tour.
Research fellow Daisuke Endo further explained on the boat,
from which the white cliffs near Tensodo Cave could be seen, that this site had inspired researchon undersea volcanoes. The evaluators eagerly took notes.
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Irozaki Ocean Park
Ocean Park opened in 2019. After being welcomed by themayor of Minamiizu, Katsuhito Okabe, the evaluators heard
about the town's initiatives from Hidetoshi Suzuki, chief of its
Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division. "We want tocontinue to promote Geopark activities based on a clear
division of roles between the government and the private
sector," he explained. The evaluators asked things like
where the posters made by the town were posted, and how
Georia and the Minamiizu Visitor Center were collaborating. Next, under the guidance of geoguide Tamae Ikeno, they enjoyed a guided tour of Irozaki in strong winds. The evaluators seemedinterested in the lighthouse, and asked whether people had used firewood or oil to light it when it
was built. Ikeno explained that they had used rapeseed oil. There was no automation back then,so someone had to walk to the lighthouse every day to light the fire.
Beach Cleaning
At Road Station Kaikoku Shimoda Minato, the evaluators listened toa talk by geoguide Mayuri Aoki about beach cleaning activities. Later,
they enjoyed making accessories from plastic pieces picked up
during cleanups. Another geoguide, Takeshi Saito, explained howIzu Geoschool was first launched under the slogan “Let's present aclean earth to our children in 1,000 years’ time.” In his words, "Someparents saw their children picking up trash and wanted to join them."
The evaluators found it very interesting how parents can change
when they see their children doing something.
Izukyu SDGs Train
The SDGs train “The Connector”, which Izukyu began operatingin July 2022, is a symbol of the partnership in the Izu Peninsula
Geopark. The evaluators rode the train from Izukyu-Shimoda
Station to Izu-Kogen Station. Inside the train, Masato Suzuki,
manager of theSalesPromotion
Division of Izukyu
Holdings,andresearch
fellow
ShyujiTsuji
explained
thebackground to thetrain's creation andthe exhibits onboard. The group were seen off at
Shimoda Station by Mayor Shoichiro Matsuki and greeted at Izu-Kogen Station by Hideki
Kobayashi, president of Izukyu HD, adding a touch of colour to the field evaluation.

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Geo Terrace
The signboard at the Ito Visitor Center’s Geoterrace was created bystudents from Ito High School Jogasaki Branch. The students sent theevaluators a video containing the message, "Please enjoy the nature ofIto." The evaluators nodded their heads as they watched the video.
They were also given a tour of the building by geoguide Midori Seki.
The evaluators asked a number of things, such as how many visitors
there are annually, and who decides the content of the exhibitions,which are changed every month.
Mt. Omuro
Mount Omuro was the final destination for thisfield evaluation. First, in front of a signboard at
the foot of the mountain, geoguide Asae Tabataof Machikon Ito emphasized that the signboard
was renovated with local donations. At thesummit, geoguide Hitoshi Yamazaki explained
how the beautiful landscape has been
maintained by mountain burning in Ike, a local
community area, stating that, "Here, themountain, the region, and the people's lives are
all integrated.” Both guides’ explanations
highlighted the power of the local community tosupport the preservation and utilization of Mt. Omuro.
The evaluators showed great interest in mountain burning, and eagerly asked questions such as
how the mountain is burned and what the effects of burning are on vegetation. Yoshinori
Takahashi, president of Ike Community Tourism Board, took over for Yamazaki and explained theprocess of mountain burning in detail. The evaluators said they would really like to come backnext year when the mountain burning is held. They also commented on how satisfied they werewith this final location.

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October 14
Summary and Feedback
The Q&A and discussion with the evaluators continued from the previous evening around theroundtable at Georia. The future of tourism and the revitalization of the local economy throughthe use of local products were among
the topics discussed. As one of theevaluators, Rasa, noted, the format oftours has been changed due to theCovid pandemic, and this will need to bemade sustainable. The other evaluator,Rangnes, expressed their intention toreview this field evaluation in detail andpresent their "recommendations for improvement" at a later date.
Press Conference
After the field inspection, the evaluators held an
informal press conference in Georia. When asked bya reporter what had impressed them most, Rasa
replied, “The numerous visitor center installations andthe excellent work of the geoguides.” Rangnes said
that, in addition to the geoguides’ activities, “It’s greatthat they are working with the government andpartner companies. Izu Peninsula UGGp is also
actively working on the SDGs. I enjoyed riding thetrain very much. I felt that the Geopark activities arealso contributing to the local economy.”
In another press conference, vice president Yutaka Kikuchi was asked how he felt the revalidation
process was going. “It’s going perfectly,” he replied confidently. “I’m sure the Geopark will berevalidated.”

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