UNESCO Global Geopark Walking Tour

The UNESCO global geopark along the Tango Peninsula is the birthplace of Japan. Artifacts dating back 36,000 years have been found here. It is also where Japan’s very first ancient civilization was born, the Tango Kingdom.

The tour is set in the village of Tango, same name as the peninsula and ancient kingdom, where the creation of Japanese civilization can be seen, along with ancient burial mounds, and rare 15 million year-old volcanic formations. The walking tour is a blend of culture, history, and geology. A knowledgeable local guide will tell the story of the village as guests walk along a coastline accentuated by lava flows hardened mid-flow by the Sea of Japan. From overlooks where ancient burial mounds house important figures from the past, to farm land and vegetable patches tended by villagers, the tour also takes a look at Japanese culture across centuries. Also along the tour are thatched-roof huts and a special shrine connected to the imperial family, in front of which an art-collective has begun to create outdoor installations open to the public.

For guests hoping to gain insight into Japanese history as well as modern culture this walking tour is an opportunity to see how people blend tradition with life today. For people who are interested in geography and unique geological formations, the backdrop of the UNESCO global geopark offers spectacular views, landmarks, and cultural monuments like burial mounds that have been blended into the landscape.