I happened upon Hashigui-Iwa Rocks purely by luck. I was driving along the coast minding my own business on my way to my next destination when I began to see these tall rock formations jutting out of the water. The closer I got, the bigger they became. I knew I had to stop. In the misty sky of rainy season, these rock formations looked kind of other-worldly.
On the tip of Kii Peninsula, they jut out towards Kii Oshima island and look as if they are pieces of a bridge to the island from long ago. Due to this, and a legend, they are also known as Bridge Pier Rocks.
The Legend (the short version)
The legend involves Kobo Daishi and Ogre Amonojaku (a devil or monster). Kobo Daishi is the monk who founded Shingan Buddhism in Japan and inspired people to walk around Shikoku on the 88-Temple Pilgrimage following his path. The legend tells of how Kobo Daisi arrived in this area to find that the townspeople had been trying to build a bridge to Kii Oshima island, but Amonojaku kept tearing it down. The townspeople asked Kobo Daishi for help.
Kobo Daishi met with Amonojaku and they came to an agreement that if Kobo Daishi (given extra strength) could build the bridge in a day and a night and finish before sunrise, that the devil would let it stand. Upon seeing that he may be successful, Amonojaku tricked Kobo Daishi into believing that it was sunrise and that he had failed. Kobo Daishi stopped building the bridge, the devil won, and the unfinished bridge remains to this day.
A Geological Explanation
The geological explanation has to do with volcanic activity and tsunamis. From information that I could find, about 14 million years ago there was a massive volcanic eruption that sent magma into the sea at the coastline of what is today Kushimoto. A sign at the park explained that the rocks were formed by an upthrust of rock layers and magma about 15 meters wide and 900 meters long. Sedimentary rocks were removed through erosion from the wind and sea. This process was also accelerated during tsunamis eventually leaving the igneous rocks standing. Interesting how mother nature created this very unusual “unfinished bridge” to the island.
I like how the photo below with the sign and the man in the background, help to show the size of these formations. They are really large! You can walk among the rocks and look at the tide pools. Just keep an eye out for falling rocks.
There is a little souvenir shop and cafe at the location. I love the boxed treats that you could purchase with Kobo Daishi and the Ogre Amonojaku on the wrapping. Fun panda themed items were plentiful since Shirahama is nearby and known for pandas (at the zoo and panda related things are throughout the town).
I was very glad that my route took me right by this very unique spot. There was a wooden sign in front of the formations that had the name of a national park. At first I thought this was a national park, but as I read more about it, I found out that this is just a small part of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park, which is comprised of several non-contiguous areas of Mie, Nara, and Wakayama Prefectures. The park looks amazing with a variety of landscapes.
If you visit Shirahama, this might be an easy add on to your trip as it is about an hour away! Wakayama has so many beautiful things to offer!
Happy Exploring!
Kari
Follow my blog here.