Fossa Magna Park

Fossa Magna Park is a geological natural monument in Itoigawa with a hiking trail through Nechi Valley featuring visible rock layers. Colored rocks and distinct formations along the path mark the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, where two continental plates meet.

The park opened in 1990 and underwent major renovation in 2018 to improve visitor facilities and educational displays. These upgrades reflected the region's designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark and strengthened its role in explaining how the earth moves.

The park forms the heart of the Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, where visitors witness how tectonic plate boundaries have shaped the landscape over time. The exposed rocks tell a story about the geological nature of this region.

The park is reachable from Nechi Station with a short walk to the entrance. Free parking is available near the western entrance for visitors arriving by car.

The cliff face displays rocks in different colors that mark where two of the world's largest tectonic plates meet head-on. This visual display of a plate boundary is uncommon and makes the location geologically notable.

Location: Itoigawa

Official opening: 1990

GPS coordinates: 36.96944,137.87194

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:42