[Hida City, Gifu Prefecture] Naoki Prize Winner, Cutting-Edge Researcher, and Science Writer Gather in "Kamioka, Town of Science"! 30th Anniversary Seminar of "Geo-Space Adventure (GSA)" "Telling Science" to be Held on July 18 (Sat)

The Geo-Space Adventure Executive Committee (Organizers: NPO "Sora Marugoto Soseijuku Hida Academy", GSA Executive Committee) will hold "Geo-Space Adventure 2026 (hereinafter, GSA2026)", a science event that delves into the mysteries of the earth's interior and the universe, in Kamioka Town, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, for two days on July 18 (Sat) and 19 (Sun).

This year marks the 30th anniversary since its launch in 1994. In addition to the customary underground experimental facility tours, related events that general visitors can easily enjoy have been significantly expanded. On the evening of Saturday, July 18, the 30th Anniversary Seminar "Telling Science ~What is Happening in the World's Largest Underground Experiments~" will be held, featuring distinguished guests.

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Outline of the 30th Anniversary Seminar "Telling Science"

An essay exploring the full picture of the world's most advanced underground experiments and the importance of communicating science to society.

The main event this year, the commemorative seminar, will be held under the theme "Telling Science," bringing together researchers active on the front lines, a Naoki Prize-winning author who depicts human drama with science as the subject, and a science writer who connects the general public and science through words. A special one-night-only cross-talk will unfold, discussing the charm of cutting-edge science that unravels the history of the universe and the significance of widely disseminating it to society as a "story."

・Date: Saturday, July 18, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

・Venue: Kamioka Town Community Center Hall

・Theme: Telling Science ~What is Happening in the World's Largest Underground Experiments~

・Speakers:

Mr. Takashi Kobayashi (Director, J-PARC Center)

Ms. Atsuko Ichikawa (Professor, Tohoku University)

Mr. Shin Iyohara (Author, Naoki Prize Winner)

【Moderator】Mr. Yoshitaka Arafune (Science Writer)

Concept of GSA2026

The catchphrase for GSA2026 is "More exciting than knowing the future." Gazing at the universe is synonymous with gazing at light that has reached us from the distant past. It expresses the sincere spirit of adventure in approaching the unknown form of the universe, using the light of the past as a clue.

GSA is a Signature Event of Kamioka Town

Event Overview and Science Seminars for the General Public

Numerous programs will be offered over two days so that those who are not GSA participants (underground facility visitors), as well as local families, can experience "Kamioka, Town of Science."

◆Dates: Saturday, July 18 - Sunday, July 19

◆Venues:

【Venue 1】 Kamioka Town Community Center

【Venue 2】 Hida Space Science Museum Kamioka Lab Sky Dome Kamioka

◆Main Programs

・Mini-seminars by KAGRA, J-PARC, Kamioka Dinosaur Valley, and Hamamatsu Photonics

・"Jewel Hunt" event for parents and children

・Establishment of a shop and stall corner for the entire community to enjoy

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Organizers: NPO "Sora Marugoto Soseijuku Hida Academy", GSA Executive Committee

Co-organizers: Kamioka Mining Co., Ltd.

Sponsors: Hida City, Hida City Board of Education

Cooperation: Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo; Research Center for Neutrino Science, Tohoku University; J-PARC Center; Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.; Kamioka Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Hida City Tourism Association

World-Class Research Facilities Concentrated in Kamioka Town

With facilities such as Super-Kamiokande, KamLAND, KAGRA, and the currently under-construction Hyper-Kamiokande, Kamioka Town is a sacred site for astrophysics where researchers from all over the world gather. This event is a unique opportunity for the entire region to share the connection between the town's mining history and these cutting-edge scientific endeavors.

KAGRA: Gravitational Wave Detector, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo KamLAND: Research Center for Neutrino Science, Tohoku University Super-Kamiokande: Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo

【Inquiries】 Hida Space Science Museum Kamioka Lab

Tel: 0578-86-9222 (Reception hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM *Excluding Wednesdays)

Hida City, Gifu Prefecture

Hida City is a nature-rich municipality surrounded by mountains, with a population of approximately 21,000. While about 93% of its total area is covered by forests, it is known as a "Town of Science" where astrophysics research facilities, including "Super-Kamiokande," which greatly contributed to the Nobel Prize in Physics, are concentrated. It also possesses diverse and unique regional resources, such as the "Okoshi-Daiko" of the Furukawa Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the beautiful rural scenery that served as the model for the hit animated film "Your Name."

Hida City Official Website: https://www.city.hida.gifu.jp/ Kamioka Lab Page: https://www.city.hida.gifu.jp/site/kamiokalab/ PRTIMES Hida City Page: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/searchrlp/company_id/120394