Acta Geoturistica, vol. 8 (2017), nr. 1, 19-31 DOI 10.1515/agta-2017-0003 Identification of prospective geosites that show features of the active continental margin in eastern Kii Peninsula, Southwest Japan 1* 2 DOROTA SUZUKI and HIDEO TAKAGI 1 Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan 2 Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan * ( corresponding author e-mail:
[email protected]) ABSTRACT The eastern Kii Peninsula exhibits a variety of rock outcrops, fossils, and other geological features that illustrate the formation history of the Japanese Islands. This work aims to describe the geotourism potential of the region based on the significant rock exposures, and sets out the basis for establishing geosites in this region in the future. Geologically important sites have been selected, together with places of unique history and culture within the northern part of the eastern Kii Peninsula, including the Ise and Toba areas. The results of this study include a detailed description of the geology and history of the region, together with an evaluation of the relative value of each selected locality as a geosite. Proper development and promotion of the proposed sites would make the sites available for education and tourism, and provide opportunities for suitable development and the popularization of geological knowledge. Key words: Kii Peninsula, Ise Jingu Grand Shrine, MTL, geosite INTRODUCTION (JGN) in December 2016, 8 of which are also recognized members of the UNESCO The Japanese Islands were a part of the Global Geopark Network (GGN).