Toyooka City is pleased to announce the awaited re-opening of Genbudo Park. Home to the five beautiful basalt Genbudo Caves with over 1.6 million years of geological history, Genbudo Park was designated in 1931 as a National Natural Monument by the Japanese Government, and the impressive caves are also part of the San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark, making it a perfect educational outdoor trip for visitors to the area.

The newly renovated park grounds welcome back visitors with improved walking paths, lookout points, and explanations and exhibition signs completely translated into English.

Harmony Between Nature and Industry
After a volcanic eruption over 1.6 million years ago, the basalt rocks of the caves formed columnar joints due to magma cooling, contracting, and eventually forming vertical hexagonal cracks. Before becoming a park and museum for the public to enjoy, the Genbudo Caves were utilized as a quarry during the Edo Period (1603~1867), resulting in the recessed areas of the cave that are still viewable to this day. Locals discovered that the rocks could easily be used for building materials, and visitors can still see these basalt rocks just about everywhere during one's visit to the area, including in the park's walkways.

Getting to the Caves
Access to the Genbudo Caves is possible via a variety of options, including sightseeing boat, rent-a-car, and bicycling from Kinosaki Onsen Station. Driving from Kinosaki Onsen to Genbudo Park takes approximately seven minutes, however, the most adventurous (and most popular) option for foreign tourists is calling Genbudo Museum and reserving a sightseeing boat across the Maruyama River from JR Gembudo Station. Visitors who enjoy scenic cycling routes also won't be disappointed after a 20-minute ride from Kinosaki Onsen to Genbudo Park which takes cyclists down a countryside road lined with the Maruyama Riverside on one side and forested mountains on the other. Lucky visitors may see an Oriental White Stork flying overhead.

An Illumination Celebration
In honor of Genbudo Park's re-opening, nightly light up events are held every day throughout the month of September, painting the caves in a rainbow of glowing illuminations. Stage shows are also to be held on specified evenings in conjunction with the light up displays, including tap dancing and also a performance from the Toyooka Theater Festival.

Practical info: Entry fees range from 500 JPY for adults and 300 JPY for students (400 JPY for adults and 240 JPY for students with groups of 20 people or more), with viewing hours from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30).

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