This special issue is based primarily on Session SE04 “Recent advances in paleo-, rock and environmental magnetism” held during the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) 2014 Meeting (28 July–1 August in Sapporo, Japan). The special issue focuses on various topics in environmental, rock, and paleomagnetism including applications, instruments, and databases and is not limited to the presentations at the Session. In total, 13 articles were published in the special issue, which are described below in several categories.