GGN - Geopark Annual Report 2021
1. GEOPARK IDENTITY
Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark (Japan). A member of APGNYear of Inscription/Year of the last revalidation: 2018/N.A.

Eco-friendly cycle trip to Global Important Agricultural Systems site: wasabi terrace
2. GEOPARK FIGURES
Number of geopark staff: 10 staff, 2 geoscientists with advanced degrees
Number of visitors: 7,315 (visitors to the central facility)
Number of geopark events: 127
Number of educational programs for schools: 101
Number of press releases: 67
3. GEOPARK ACTIVITIES
Major Achievements in 2021
We took major actions to address the recommendation for improvement given by UNESCO
on the designation of the UNESCO Global Geopark. The progress was substantial.
• In response to item h, the promotion council set the Master Plan and Action Plan lasting until
2025. These plans inscribed key performance Indicators to be achieved during the period.
• To address items a, c and f, we codified a comprehensive database of natural and cultural
heritage (including Intangible Heritages). Its English version will be available soon.

• In another attempt to tackle the items above, we organised a series of casual talk shows
named ‘Geo-cafe’. The talk events covered a wide range of topics to shed light on various
aspects of the geopark such as the science of hot springs, contemporary fantasy novels in theIzu Peninsula, and the social preparations, which include a small-scale dialogue session withlocal residents, lobbying to city hall, to promote renewable energy.
In addition to the points above,• Based on the comprehensive agreement on sustainable regional development between
Shizuoka Gas Ltd. and our team, the two parties launched a holistic project to promote localgastronomy. This project includes the development of creative cuisine, cooking classes, andvisits to the producers. The programme for FY 2021 culminated in a cycling trip to a production
centre of genuine wasabi. This agreement will last for a decade.
• After a two-year interval, the council organised the 7th Izu UGGp Cup Roganining game in
Shimoda city, a southern port town in the Peninsula. The event paved an avenue for 207
runners to learn various features of the area holistically.
• A powerful promotion of scientific research by our council resulted in the fruition of threediligent projects in the field of geology, volcanology, and genetics. The outcomes are xpected
to be published on referred international journals.
Contribution towards the GGN: Networking and Participation• Reflecting the cordial relationship between the Ciletuh-Pelabuhanrartu as sister geoparks,
we exchanged geological samples and other items to be exhibited at the museums and visitor
centres.
• As a sign of our tireless commitment to GGN and APGN, our professional staff
enthusiastically joined all the online conferences and digital events hosted by the mentionednetworks.
• We also submitted a short article to be published in the GGN Newsletter and two brief
communications for celebrations of the UN system and APGN.
Management and Financial Status
We received generous support from the Shizuoka Prefecture, 15 municipalities in thePeninsula, and the council was underpinned significantly by the public sector. The budget for
Fiscal Year 2021 was JPY 84,651,249, which is approximately €73,500.
Geoconservation• A professional from the council delivered a lecture on the occasion of the annual training
programme of the public work divisions of the municipalities. Consequently, the localauthorities occasionally consulted the council to initiate preventive measures against thepotential damage to geo sites.
• These professionals of the council have served as advisors for the prefectural government,municipalities in the region, and, through the extended network, local authorities.
• The council extended its network to the prefectural government and municipalities.
Sustainable Tourism (Geotourism)• Our certified geo guides launched new tours using small electric vehicles. The ‘Green-Slow’vehicles not only significantly enhanced the connectivity among scattered geo sites but also
symbolised our geopark’s commitment to low carbonisation.
• Given the prolonged pandemic, the council and its supporting companies actively promoteda ‘micro-tourism’ programme for schools in the region. To gear great demands, the partnercompanies relearned about local geo sites using our materials. Due to this new attempt,
knowledge about the local geo sites spread to the private sector as well.
New Education Programmes on Geoconservation, Sustainable Development, andDisaster Risk Reduction• In line with the global strategy of the UNESCO and GGN, our council launched educational
programmes at schools: MaB programme (Hokuto City) and UGGp (Itoigawa). The classes
deepened the understanding of the broader environmental contexts of the region andstrengthened the ties among councils and schools.
• The geologist of the council organised workshops on disaster risk mitigation. These
programmes also fostered a cordial relationship between our secretariat and the local
community as these workshops targeted the immediate neighbours of our central hub.
Strategic Partnership• The promotion council made a pact with Izunokuni City Hall who is managing the Nirayama
Reverberatory Furnaces, a property of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel,
Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining (UNESCO World Heritage).
• The council signed a comprehensive agreement with Shizuoka University, a national
university in the region. We expect to cooperate with them in fields such as ESD and thesustainable development of the region.
Promotional Activities• The Council staff and certified geo guides published 13 serial essays in Shizuoka Shinbun,
which is a widely subscribed local newspaper. This attempt enormously enhanced thepresence of the geopark in Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Under collaboration with two railway companies in the region, the geopark council operated‘Geo-trains’. The running museums demonstrated various landscapes of the geo sites andhighlighted unique local products. In addition, the involvement of high school students in thisproject nurtured their affection towards the homeland and stimulated their talents.
• Significantly owing to the Izu Peninsula Tourism Bureau, our organisation could promote
geo-tours in Tokyo metropolitan region.
• Under close collaboration with local radio stations, our institute offered a regular programme
titled ‘Soundscapes of the Peninsula’. The professional staff of the council actively appearedon radio shows.
4. Contacts
Manager: Shigeya Kenezashi (Mr.)
Geologist: Daisuke Endo (Mr.)