Around Mount Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture lies a major and historic quarrying area. The Tsukuba massif granite of the Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark was certified by the International Union of Geological Sciences in 2024 as one of the first 55 IUGS Heritage Stones — natural stones that have been acknowledged not only for their geological value, but also for their use in significant architecture and monuments, making them integral aspects of human culture.