Mt. Kurikoma Area Geo-Guide

Guided tours led by certified geo-guides in the Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark. The park features rich nature and a history of people overcoming natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. Tours are customizable and can include sites like the Ramsar-registered Lake Izunuma or the Sekaiyachi Ancient Flower Garden (known for alpine flowers). Guide fees are charged hourly.

Details

Plan Price: ¥2,100 per hour (per guide)
*After the first hour, an additional ¥1,050 will be charged for every 30 minutes.
*Guide fees are calculated based on the total time the geo-guide is engaged, including travel time.

What’s Included

Guide Fee,
Handling Fee

Not Included

Transportation costs
Admission fee for facility
Insurance Fee,
Personal expenses (e.g. beverages)

Set Dates

April 2025 – March 2026

*This tour will also be offered next year.
*This program is available on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays. However, availability may be limited depending on reservation status, so prior inquiry is required.

Excluded Date: There are optimal seasons for each course and spot. Please feel free to consult us regarding the timing and preferred locations.

Time Length: Based on your desired duration

Meeting Place&Time

[Meeting Place]
Your preferred location

[Meeting Time]
15 minutes before requested start time

Map

Min. # of Participation: 2 people

Max. # of Participants: 10 people
* A maximum of 10 participants per guide

Supoported Languages: Japanese
*Please arrange for an interpreter if participants do not speak Japanese.

Plan Details: Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark, located around Mt. Kurikoma, features a rich and diverse natural environment. It also tells the story of how people in the region have lived through and overcome numerous natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods.
The area has nurtured both nature and culture, and today, based on its experiences of living alongside disasters, it is promoting a sustainable future by incorporating those lessons into disaster preparedness, education, and tourism.
Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark, certified geo-guides are ready to welcome you with safe and enjoyable guided tours. In addition to showcasing the park’s natural beauty, they also share the region’s history—including the memories of two major earthquakes.

Course Details

Sample Courses:
● Lake Izunuma Area
Lake Izunuma is the largest freshwater lake in the prefecture and a Ramsar-registered wetland. It hosts a variety of aquatic plants and provides a suitable habitat for waterfowl and fish. In winter, nearly 3,000 whooper swans migrate here, making it Japan’s largest wintering site for them, along with tens of thousands of greater white-fronted geese. Many visitors come to enjoy lotus flowers in summer and bird watching during the migratory season in winter.
At the Miyagi Prefecture Izunuma-Uchinuma Sanctuary Center, visitors can observe birds and plants using field scopes and deepen their understanding of nature and human interaction. (Closed every Monday; free admission)

●Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark Visitor Center
Certified as a Japan Geopark in September 2015, Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark Visitor Center serves as an information hub, providing experiences and learning opportunities about the geopark. Visitors can enjoy impressive aerial floor maps from Mt. Kurikoma to Lake Izunuma and Lake Uchinuma and watch large-screen videos introducing features such as the Aratozawa landslide. (Closed every Tuesday; free admission)

● Sekaiyachi Ancient Flower Garden
Sekaiyachi means “wide wetland” and is a roughly 15-hectare marshland on the gentle southern slopes around 700m elevation of Mt. Kurikoma. It is home to many rare alpine plants. From May to September, various alpine flowers bloom, with a famous large cluster of daylilies (Nikkōkisuge) in June, creating a stunning orange floral landscape.

We also offer guided tours of the Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark tailored to your preferences. Please feel free to contact us with your desired locations or requests.
*Model Course List:
https://www.kuriharacity.jp/geopark/030/020/index.html

Necessary When making a reservation

1. Desired tour date and time

2. Name of Representative

3. Number of Participants

4. Contact Information of on-site accompanying person (must be reachable on the day)

5. Transportation on the day

6. Your preferred course (e.g., suggested model course, places you wish to visit, themes or topics of interest)

7. Meeting and drop-off locations for the day

Other(Notes)

•For the purpose of improving the quality of our geo guides, we may ask you to complete a survey provided by the administrative office.

•On the day of the experience, please be sure to follow all instructions given by the staff.

•Each guide can accompany up to 10 participants. If your group exceeds 10 people, additional guides will be required. Please consult with us in advance. The venue may be changed depending on the date of use and the number of participants.

Cancellation Policy: No cancellation fee
* If you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, please notify us as early as possible.

Closing Date: 7 days before date of Tour

Operating Company: Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark Promotion Council Secretariat
Tel: +81-228-24-8836
Fax: +81-228-45-5936
Email: geopark@kuriharacity.jp

Inquiries: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Federation
14th floor of the Miyagi Prefectural Government Building, 3-8-1, Hon-cho, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan 〒980-8570
Tel: +81-22-221-1864　Fax: +81-22-211-2829
Email: dmo@miyagi-kankou.or.jp
Business Days: Monday to Friday
Business Hours: 8:30 am – 5:15 pm (JST)