Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Mt. Apoi Geopark is a rare landscape where part of the Earth's mantle is exposed at the surface. Its unique geology and climate support alpine plants and preserve stories rooted in Ainu culture.

Located in Samani Town, Mt. Apoi Geopark was shaped by a plate collision about 13 million years ago. Part of the Earth's mantle was pushed to the surface, forming the olive-colored Horoman peridotite. Visitors can observe rocks from deep within the Earth up close, making the area a site of global geological significance.

At 810 meters above sea level, Mt. Apoi is influenced by cool sea fog from the Pacific Ocean. Combined with its unusual geology, these conditions support alpine plants, including endemic species such as Samani-yukiwari. From spring through summer, delicate flowers color the mountain slopes, while the summit offers sweeping views of the Hidaka Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Along the coast, distinctive formations such as the Parent and Child Rocks rise from the shoreline, and Ainu traditions connected to the area have been passed down through generations. At the Visitor Center, visitors can learn about the land's formation, while guided tours provide deeper insight into the links between peridotite, plants, and local history.