GOTO, Geo Tourism: Discover the Soul of the Island.
Unforgettable sights. Exquisite flavors. In Goto, every experience has a story. Explore the island's "geo-story" and uncover the reasons behind its beauty.
Travel with a deeper connection.
Goto Islands: An Anchor
in the Formation of Japan
The birth of the Japanese archipelago was a dramatic event driven by powerful forces deep within the Earth. As the mantle surged upwards, it tore the islands away from the Eurasian continent. This separation involved a swirling motion, with certain areas in the north and south acting as pivots, pushing the landmass towards the Pacific. Remarkably, the Goto Islands remained a stable point amidst this dynamic geological dance.
Traces of the "Immovable Point" - Goto Islands
Geological formations revealed by the uplift of the Goto Islands, driven by the rising mantle, offer a glimpse into events that transpired 15 million years ago. As the Japanese archipelago spiraled away from the continent, a "valley" formed with the area around the Goto Islands as its starting point. During this process, sand settled when the river was rapid, and as the deposition of sand calmed the flow, mud accumulated in the resulting lake. As the valley expanded with the separation of the Japanese archipelago, alternating deposition of sand and mud occurred. This "alternating layers of sand and mud" is a trace of the "immovable point," the Goto Islands.
Volcanic Soil,
Bountiful Flavors
The volcanic activity that shaped Goto's landscape has also nurtured its unique cuisine. Wheat thrives in the fertile red soil, giving rise to a vibrant udon noodle culture. Goto udon is hand-stretched using camellia oil, a local treasure. And the island's spirit of choice? Barley shochu, a testament to the volcanic terroir.
Goto's Volcanic Walls:
A Marine Paradise
The dramatic underwater cliffs formed by the uplift of the Goto Islands have created a unique and thriving marine ecosystem. These "walls" disrupt the Tsushima Current, causing an upwelling of nutrient-rich water that supports a diverse food chain. From tiny plankton to large predatory fish, the waters surrounding Goto teem with life. The lava-formed rocky shores provide ideal habitats for a variety of shellfish and crustaceans, making Goto a seafood lover's paradise.
Goto's Volcanic Panorama
Explore a world of dramatic contrasts: black lava coastlines against the azure sea, and towering mountains rising in the distance.
Goto's unique geological heritage has created a landscape of breathtaking beauty.
