Abstract
Geotourism contributions to sustainable development as well as environmental conservation in geoscientific sites (geoparks). Comprehensive education on natural environments allows nurture of scientific interpreters, environmentally conscientious tourists and local politicians. Systematic education on physical geography, in particular, plays crucial roles in geotourism. The visitors benefit greatly from having guided tours that feature geoscientific interpretation enriched by field educational programs based on physical geography, which depend primarily on having established courses of physical geography in both school and lifelong education programs. The present Japanese educational system, however, is yet to respond to the international needs for geotourism.
