Theme of Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark; "The Mountains and the Lake Embraced by the Kanto Plain -Stone, Soil and Water Connect Nature and People-"
The Mt. Tsukuba Region is composed of three major elements: The massifs, which include the great Mt. Tsukuba, one of the best 100 mountains in Japan; Lake Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan; and the plain that holds them. Particularly, Mt. Tsukuba with the two steep peaks and the gentle foot has been the landmark of the Kanto region with a complimentary expression “Mt. Fuji in the west, Mt. Tsukuba in the east” and a stage of mountain worship and traditional culture. Mountains, including Mt. Tsukuba and Lake Kasumigaura are located on the Kanto Plain as if the plain embraces them in its arms. Thanks to rich stones, soil and water, the stone industry, which Makabe stone represents, the ceramic industry with famous Kasama ware, agriculture and the brewing industry of source and sake have developed in this region. Therefore, we titled Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark “The Mountains and the Lake Embraced by the Kanto Plain: Stone, Soil and Water Connect Nature and People”.
Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark is zoned into three areas; Tsukuba and Keisoku Massifs Zone, Lake Kasumigaura Zone and Kanto Plain Zone. Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark introduces 26 must-see geosites with seven geo-stories. In these geosites, you can learn not only biology, ecology but history, culture and the industries. Enjoy the geosites based on your interests and from various angles!
Story1 Mt. Tsukuba: Steep Twin Peaks and Vast Foot
Story2 Tsukuba and Keisoku Massifs: A Dynamic Land Movemont
Story3 Lake Kasumigaura: Formed by Paleo-Tokyo Bay and the Paleo-Kinu River
Story4 Forest Ecosystem of Glacial Age and Interglacial Age in Tsukuba Massif
Story5 The Meandering Rivers and The Life of the Local People
Story6 Mt. Tsukuba, Mountains of Religious Faith and Literature
Story7 Industries in Mt. Tsukuba Area Developed by Stones, Soils and Water
Tsukuba and Keisoku Massifs Zones Lake Kasumigaura Zone Kanto Plain Zone