Wakayama

Fantastic Hashigui Rocks: Wakayama

Majestic landscape in the southernmost town of Honshu

Takako Sakamoto Sep 06, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Hashigui Rocks when the sky in the east began to turn white in Kushimoto town</p>

<p>Stairway to heaven in the dramatic sky I witnessed near Shiono Point</p>

<p>Hashigui Rocks at the crack of dawn. There is a parking lot just in front of the rocks on the beach, and you can enjoy the magnificent view from your car</p>

<p>Shiono Point Lighthouse at sunset. Shiono Point is the tip of Kii Peninsula, and you can enjoy the sunset here, and sunrise in Kushimoto, the neighboring town</p>

<p>At low tide you can walk out to the rocks</p>

<p>Notice the light coming from ships far out at sea over the rocks</p>

<p>You can see eroding rocks spread out near the shore while driving along the coastal road</p>

<p>Kii Oshima is the island lying to the east off Shiono Point. Umikongo, scenery with giant rocks along the shoreline that can be viewed from this island, is also breathtaking</p>

Once upon a time, Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, competed with Amanojaku (a demon-like creature) in building a bridge connecting the shore to a nearby island. The one who could build it first before dawn came would win. Amanojaku, who realized he couldn't beat Kobo Daishi, made the sound of a cock crowing in the morning to deceive Kobo Daishi. Tricked, Kobo-Daishi thought he lost the competition, and left without finishing the bridge. And his unfinished bridge IS the Hashigui Rocks you are looking at right now! (well, this is what they say anyway) The magnificent view of the sunrise in the morning seen through these rocks takes your breath away. When you go westward from Hashigui Rocks, you'll reach Shiono Point. You can see the curved horizon from here without anything blocking your view. The sunset here is also a must-see sight to behold.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...