Inclusive Geotourism in Japanese Geoparks: Expanding Possibilities Together

Inclusive geotourism has attracted increasing attention as geoparks seek to broaden opportunities for diverse people to experience geoheritage. However, its practical implementation remains limited, and previous studies have focused primarily on accessibility rather than participation. This study examined the current status, challenges, and broader implications of inclusive geotourism in Japanese geoparks through a nationwide questionnaire survey, a questionnaire survey at a special needs school, field evaluations, and a collaborative workshop. The results indicate that inclusive geotourism remains at an early stage of development. Although many geoparks recognize the importance of accessibility, implementation remains limited, particularly for people with sensory, cognitive, and less visible disabilities. The principal challenges extend beyond physical accessibility to include knowledge, communication, experience, organizational capacity, and collaboration. This study proposes “One Geopark, One Universal Design Course” as a practical framework for expanding opportunities for participation. More fundamentally, it suggests that inclusive geotourism should be understood not only in terms of accessibility but as a complementary dimension of geotourism that broadens participation by diverse visitors and local residents. Together with previous research, these findings suggest a potential pathway through which broader participation may contribute to the social sustainability of geopark communities, although this requires further empirical investigation.