Infinite Riches! Embraced by the grandness of nature.
The green earth extends majestically from the deep blue Sea of Japan to the mountains of the Northern Alps.
The grand nature of Itoigawa, with its 2 national parks (Joshinetsu Plateau and Chubu Mountains) and 3 prefectural parks (Kubiki, Hakubasanroku and Oyashirazu-Koshirazu), overwhelms and fascinates visitors.
Our lives are gently cradled in the blessings brought about by nature’s activities pure water and air, gushing hot springs and a variety of fresh sea life.
On August 22, 2009, the ‘Itoigawa Geopark’ was recognized as Japan’s first World Geopark.
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Itoigawa Geopark
The blessings of the Geopark The land and the sea
Mountains In the mountainous region that extends along the borders of Nagano and Toyama Prefectures, Mount Korenge (小蓮華山) (2,766m), Niigata Prefecture’s highest peak, Mount Amakazari (雨飾山) (1,963m) and Mount Hiuchi (火打山) (2462m) rise together shoulder to shoulder, each boasting their own unique, majestic shape.
Every year, many tourists visit the beautiful landscapes that weave in and out of the rich, rolling mountains that provide a treasure trove of precious, alpine plants.
Sea Within Itoigawa are 8 public beaches, all with an outstanding degree of clarity! In the summer season, the beaches are painted with multi-colored beach umbrellas.
Onsen (Hot springs) The geological conditions of the so-called ‘Fossa Magna’ that extends across the Japanese archipelago have brought high quality hot springs to the region.
From the mountains’ hidden, hot springs that blend into the grand, natural world and old private-style spas overflowing with kindness to large resort hotels, within Itoigawa, 10 spas offer hot natural baths where you can enjoy each one’s individual charm.
Farm Produce With a focus on rice, crops such as round eggplant and melon are grown, throughout the changing seasons.
Marine Products Just offshore of Itoigawa, the sea deepens abruptly. The best fishing grounds are nearby, and there is a rich variety of fish. Over 45 km of coastline are dotted with 8 fishing harbors, where the extraordinarily fresh treasures of the Sea of Japan are brought ashore.
Jade Culture
Itoigawa, the greatest jade- producing region in Japan in both quality and quantity, is also the birthplace of the world’s oldest jade culture.
Praised for its luminance, jade is also called the Treasure of the East. Its mysterious brilliance, as professed by the ancient Romans, still fascinates people, even today.