Go! Geopark
> Geo spots around the mountains
Tours of fossilized remains
In 2003, fossilized remains of large mammals, reptiles, and birds dating to 17-20M years ago were discovered in Kami-cho. The strata around the fossilized remains is the result of solidified sand and mud that pooled in the rivers and swamps when the Sea of Japan was formed. The Kasumi coastline exhibits the footprints of the early ancestors of crocodiles, cranes, rhinoceros, elephants, and deer, among others. Footprints of the ancestor to the elephant were also found at the inlet at Muraoka-ku. These valuable discoveries allow for making insights about their gait when walking and running, lifestyles, the climate at the time, and the possibility of the north of Kyushu and the Hokuriku area having been contiguously connected.
Misaki
Seven samurai warriors of the Taira clan found their way to this area after being defeated at the Battle of Dan-no-Ura. Using smoke plumes billowing from the mountain, they made their way up the steep rock face and met mountain ascetics, who encouraged them to put down roots here, creating a small hamlet. This is a fantastic location with views of the ocean.
Yoroi no Sode
Yoroi no Sode is a jutting cliff that is 70m tall and 200m across, with a 70 degree inclination and unique vertical pillar formations in its rhyolite surface. Alternating vertical and horizontal cracks resemble the leather straps* found in traditional Japanese armor, which gives this cliff its name, which in Japanese means “armor sleeve.” It was designated as a national monument on May 30, 1938.
Odoshi: Macramé cords which are used to bind armour plates together in Japanese armour making.
Tajima Matsushima
The coastline route from Shimonohama to Mitahama is dotted with islands large and small, such as Benten-jima and Matsushima. They are considered to resemble Matsushima in Tohoku, giving this area the name Tajima Matsushima.
Okami Koen
The view from Okami Koen to the Sea of Japan is outstanding. On summer evenings, the daily lilies can be seen with pretty yellow flowers that give off an aroma like traditional lilies.
A symbolic stone lantern sits atop the plateau.
This area is held to have played an opportunistic role for light cargo vessels in the Edo period looking for alternate routes beyond the Kitamaebune route.
A symbolic stone lantern sits atop the plateau.
This area is held to have played an opportunistic role for light cargo vessels in the Edo period looking for alternate routes beyond the Kitamaebune route.
Kasumi coastline
The Kasumi coastline is a bold cliff face featuring caves, grottoes, and reefs produced from the gradual erosion of the rocks through the tide and waves. Edo period Confucian scholar Ki-en discusses the views of the Kasumi coastline in his work, the Geppa-ro. In 1938, the area spanning from the east bank of the Yoroi Bay to Imagoura was designated as the Kasumi Coastline, a nationally designated place of scenic beauty.
A view of the setting sun on a prefectural road to Imagoura. (It can be seen sinking into the ocean from early summer through early fall.)
Imagoura
In the Edo period, this area acted as a place for light cargo vessels plying the Kitamaebune shipping route to moor while waiting out the winds and storms. The inlet prospered into a thriving area, and coastal benches were formed. Today it is the ideal place to enjoy the seaside. It is also home to unique rock formations like Kaeru-jima, and the Obiki no Hana observation deck.
View from the Obiki no Hana observation deck
Kaeru-jima
This island resembles a frog and was formed out of the erosion of andesite. “Kaeru” is the Japanese word for “return,” so the island is considered to have also been named as a prayer for the men going out to sea in shipping vessels to make it back safely.
Senjo-jiki
The coastal benches formed in the tuff eroded by the waves here have produced a smooth and level rockface, which gave root to the name “Senjo-jiki,” which implies a smooth, uniform arrangement of mats. The neighboring seashore allows for observing plants and animals and trying your hand at fishing.
Shimonohama: Hirashima
◎ Animal footprint fossils: elephant, rhinoceros, bird, deer
Shimonohama: Tochimita
◎ Animal footprint fossils: deer
Shimonohama: Oiso
◎ Animal footprint fossils:
crocodile, rhinoceros, elephant, bird, deer
crocodile, rhinoceros, elephant, bird, deer
Sakae: Matsunawate
◎ Animal footprint fossils: elephant, deer, bird
Amarube Saki Lighthouse
This lighthouse boasts the tallest height in Japan from the water surface to the lightsource.
This area is famous as a place to photograph fishermen hunting for fish under illuminated lights on summer nights.
This area is famous as a place to photograph fishermen hunting for fish under illuminated lights on summer nights.
Takanosu-jima
This unusually-shaped rock is near Yoroi no Sode. “Takanosu” means “Hawk’s Nest” in Japanese. This island is said to have gotten its name from nests made by osprey, a cousin of the hawk, at the top of the island. Seen from the north, it looks like a Native American seen in profile and wearing a feathered decoration.
Matsugasaki Hyakusogai Cliffs
Matsugasaki pokes into the ocean from the shore and is the result of innumerable sandstones and mudstones layering on top of each other. The name “Hyakusogai” implies 100 layers of strata.
Mini Yoroi no Sode at Okami Koen
Okami Koen is a great place to see a formation similar to that found at Yoroi no Sode, with uniform cracks on the rocks.
Kuroshima Island
When the morning light slants in at the north of the island, There is “Goshiki Domon” reflects off the waves and the interior of the caves to create multicolored reflections.
Shiroishi Island
It is formed out of white tuff. At the north of the island are unique rock formations that resemble the faces of cows and monkeys.
Tajima Red Cliffs
To the east of Senjo-jiki is a steep coastline shaped like a folding screen that spans 100m wide. These cliffs are described as red because they become bathed in a red light at sunset in early summer.
Obiki no Hana observation deck
This cape cuts out across the north side of Imagoura. This cliff face is made out of andesite and was formed during eruptions when the Sea of Japan was formed. The observation deck at the tip of the cape gives outstanding views across the Kasumi coastline and the Sea of Japan before you.
