This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
you familiar with the natural landscape known as columnar jointing
Tojinbo in Fukui Prefecture and Takachiho Gorge , but it can also be seen in Miyagi Prefecture. This time, Obara no Zaimokuiwa, a rock formation !
What is columnar jointing?
Columnar joints are a type of geological structure, and Wikipedia describes them as follows:
Columnar joints are geological structures with regular, unslippery cracks called joints that form regular arrays of polygonal columns. Columnar joints occur in many types of igneous rocks and form when the rock cools and contracts. Columnar joints can form in cooling lava flows and ash flow tuffs (welded tuffs) and in some shallow igneous intrusions. They can also rarely form when sedimentary rocks are heated by nearby hot magma
The columns vary in diameter from three meters to a few centimeters and can reach heights of up to 30 meters. They are typically parallel and straight, but may be curved. A regular arrangement of regular, straight, large-diameter columns is called a colonnade, while an irregular, less straight, smaller-diameter arrangement is called an entablature. The number of sides on an individual column can vary from three to eight, with six being the most common
...It's a bit difficult. It's full of technical terms, and even I couldn't understand it well after reading it
When lava or magma cools and solidifies, it shrinks slightly in volume, forming regular columnar cracks such as pentagons or hexagons. These are called columnar joints
Black Beach, Iceland
They are generally found underground, but along rivers and the sea, they appear due to water erosion, or they rise to the surface due to crustal movement
What is Obara's Zaimokuiwa?
Obara's Lumber Rock is a scenic spot located along the banks of the Shiroishi River in Obara, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, downstream from Shichikashuku Dam can be seen on the rock surface, which is about 100 meters high and 200 meters long
Obara's Timber Rock (Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture)
The columnar joints look like a row of timber, hence the name "Zaimokuiwa" (Zaimoku Rock).
It has been designated a national natural monument
Old tales passed down around Zaimokuiwa
There are also old stories related to Zaimokuiwa that are told in the surrounding area
One summer day, long ago, a craftsman from Hida tried to build a Fudo Hall (a Buddhist temple dedicated to Acala) in one night, but summer nights are short, and dawn broke just as he was about to begin construction, so he left the pieces of lumber in the Shiroishi River and walked away. After a while, the lumber turned into rocks and became Zaimokuiwa
It's reckless to try to build it overnight, and I don't like the fact that they just gave up on it because they were bored... Plus, leaving the lumber there is illegal dumping. If this were the case today, it would be a cause for controversy. Lol
Places of interest in and around Zaimokuiwa
The main attraction is, of course, Zaimokuiwa itself .
The mysterious rock surface, which looks like a pile of stacked building blocks and seems like it could not have been formed naturally, is so impressive that it seems as if it is looming over you
Obara's Timber Rock
You can get a sense of its enormity by comparing it to a person, don't you think?
It can only be seen from the opposite side of the river, but it has a powerful presence that seems as if it is about to overshadow you
Rocks that appear to have collapsed at Zaimokuiwa in Obara
What's most surprising are the countless huge rocks scattered beneath the Zaimokuiwa rock. Judging from their shape, they clearly appear to have collapsed from the rock face. It's hard to tell from a photo, but each rock is truly gigantic. I think each rock is about the size of two or three adults.
Given the possibility of something like this collapsing and falling, it's no wonder they can't get across to the other side of the shore
Timber Rock Icehouse
Himuro is an old refrigerator made by using natural air holes
A cave where a natural phenomenon of cold winds blowing out from a certain spot all year round a "wind hole," and when a natural wind hole was discovered in this area in 1880, an icehouse was built (the one that stands today is a restored version).
Apparently, during the Meiji period, it was used to store silkworm eggs
can freely tour the site and It's a strange feeling to see a really cold breeze blowing out from between the stones in the walls. It's really cool inside, so be sure to go and experience it in the middle of summer.
Former Kamitosawa Kendan Yashiki Kimura Family Residence
The Kendan residence in Kamitosawa, Shiroishi City , one of the seven post stations of Shichikashuku, which is now submerged at the bottom of the Shichikashuku Dam, has been relocated here.
The "Kendan" was an important position that supervised and oversaw all work related to post stations, including horse-drawn carriages. By the way, horse-drawn carriages meant replacing (changing) horses that had become tired after a long journey
The Kimura family served as inspectors in charge of policing horse-riding and post station matters in Kamitosawa-juku. Kamitosawa-juku did not have a honjin (an inn where people of high status stayed during the Edo period), so the Kimura family played a role in its place
At that time, Shichikashuku was a major post town where 13 feudal lords from the Oshu region passed through , and the Kimura family must have played a very important role.
Zaimokuiwa Park
Almost directly opposite the above-mentioned Kendan Yashiki is a park that is bustling with children on weekends
Next to the Kendan Yashiki there are soba restaurants and a direct sales store for local ingredients. On this day in late April, the park was decorated with a large number of carp streamers in preparation for Children's Day
summary
Obara's Zaimokuiwa Rock is not often mentioned as a tourist spot in Miyagi Prefecture, but its scenery is truly worth seeing. Personally, I think Himuro's natural refrigerator is a facility that everyone should experience at least once
The area is beautifully maintained, with historical buildings and a large park, so it might be a good idea to include it in your family's weekend plans. Of course, there is also free parking!
INFORMATION
Name: Zaimokuiwa Park
Address: 〒989-0233 Miyagi Prefecture, Shiroishi City, Obarakamidai
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs
![Good morning socks](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/fashion_kutsushita_ana-150x150.jpg.webp "[Miyagi Prefecture] Learn the Miyagi dialect! "Dakara" (so), "Ikinari" (suddenly), "Good morning socks"?")
