[Oga Peninsula, Akita Prefecture] Strange rock formations on the west coast where ancient legends are passed down

are popular tourist attractions.Godzilla RockandDaisankyo Pier, whichTheir interesting shapes are certainly appealing, but these rocks are also invaluable in that they offer a glimpse into the history of the Earth. Here, let's shift our perspective slightly and focus on the rocks that give rise to these unusual formations, allowing us to feel the very breath of the Earth.

The western coastline of the Oga Peninsula has almost no sandy beaches.It's a rugged, rocky coast, often referred to as a rocky shore or shoreline. Every rock on the coast seems to have some kind of strange shape.

As depicted in the Oga Screen, there are almost no sandy beaches on the western coastline of the Oga Peninsula. Moreover, the rocks on the coast all appear to have some kind of strange shape

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17 strangely shaped rocks selected as one of Japan's 100 strangely shaped rocks

by the Japan's 100been selected for ":100 Unusual Rocks Plus"(Hidden Path,"Shishiotoshi"("Oni no Tawara Korogashi",no Kakuremichi" (Demonon the west coast,'s,"Daisankyo",Butaijima",(Gamera Rock)("Godzilla no Shippo Iwa",Godzilla Iwa",(Godzilla Rock),Futago,"Rousoku Iwa" (Candle Rock), "Tsubaki no Shiraiwa" (Camellia White Rock),"Oni no Sentaku Iwa" (Demon'sthe only oneWashing Rock), andwell as"Azuki Iwa" (Red Bean Rock),located in the mountains. "Japan's 100 Unusual Rocks Plus" includes 124 unusual rocks from all over Japan, but Akita Prefecture ranks first in the number of unusual rocks, and within Akita Prefecture, it is only the Oga Peninsula. The Oga Peninsula is truly Japan's number one paradise for uniquely shaped rocks.

Here we introduce some of the most representative and unusual rock formations on the west coast.Sugae Masumi, a travel writer, also visited them by boat, and must have been very impressed by places like the "Great Pier," as he left behind detailed illustrations.

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"Oni no Tawara Korogashi" at Nyudozaki, a representative tourist spot on the Oga Peninsula

"Oni no Tawara Korogashi" (Demon's Rice Bale Rolling)is a unique rock formation located at Nagakute Cape, a short distance south along the coast from Nyudozaki. A brownish path stretches out towards the sea through the middle of a rocky area covered with pinkish rocks. It truly looks like the path a demon used to roll rice bales.

formed about 90 million years ago when magma cooled slowly deep underground and solidified.graniteThey are the oldest rocks found on the Oga Peninsula. The dark rocks on top of the pink rocks arevolcanic breccia,formed about 21 million years ago whenbasalterupted magma cooled.

At Oni no Tawara Korogashi, you can witness the rare sight of rocks from three different eras, when the Japanese archipelago was still part of the Eurasian continent, all in one place

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The rocks of Nyudozaki's "Shikaotoshi" used in stone-grilled dishes

"Shikaotoshi"is a rocky cliff on the eastern side of Nyudozaki Coast.back 90 million years,volcanic,welded tuff, dating. These rocks have a dense structure and are hard, soOga's famous "stone-grilled cuisine."they are used for

It is said that the name "Shikaotoshi" comes from the fact that Oga was once home to a large number of deer, and the deer that had multiplied so much were pushed off the cliff

＜Oni no Tawara Korogashi (Rolling the Demon's Straw Bag) and Shika Otoshi (Deer Dropping)＞INFORMATION

• Facility name: Nyudozaki
• Location: Nyudozaki, Kitaura, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-24-2100 (Oga City Tourism Association)
• URL:Nyudozaki
• access:
• Train: Approximately 30 minutes by Namahage Shuttle from Oga Station on the JR Oga Line
• By car: Approximately 45 minutes from Showa Oga Peninsula IC on the Akita Expressway

GOOGLE MAP

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Osanbashi Pier: A stone bridge created by the power of nature

In the southern part of the west coast of the Oga Peninsula, in an area known as the West Coast area,"Osanbashi"and"Butaijima."there are well-known unusual rock formations called

The "Ōsanbashi" pieris a stone bridge whose middle section has been widened by long-term erosion from waves. It is 10 meters high, and even sightseeing boats can pass under it. Although it is now connected to the mainland, there are records (from the "Ogazu Byōbu" screen painting, an Akita Prefecture designated cultural property) that it was in the sea in the early Edo period. Sugae Masumi, an Edo period travel writer who left behindthe "Five Winds of Oga"("Oga no Akikaze", "Oga no Harukaze", "Oga no Suzukaze", "Oga no Shimakaze", and "Oga noKankōdrew an illustration of the Ōsanbashi pier (called "Ōsanbashi" in Sugae Masumi's book) in "Oga no Shimakaze".

the "Ōsanbashi Pier"are composed of basaltic scoria that erupted from a volcano 36 to 29 million years ago, known as the Monzen Formation. Because the rock itself is brittle, it is believed to have been carved out by wave erosion. Scoria is formed when magma cools rapidly as it rises, causing its volatile components (mainly water) to vaporize instantly, resulting in porous rock fragments containing numerous air bubbles. It is similar to pumice, but while pumice is often andesite-based and white in color, basaltic scoria is generally dark in color.

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Butai Island is a sky stage where legend has it that a dance was performed to welcome Emperor Wu of Han

"Butaijima" (Stage Island)is not an island, but a massive rock formation rising like a stage from a cliff that is connected to the mainland, reaching a height of 60 meters above sea level. The top is flat, and there is"when Emperor Wu of Han descended to this land long ago, a priestess danced on it," and it was already called "Butaijima" (Stage Island) during the Edo period. When viewed from a sightseeing boat, Butaijima truly looks like "a stage floating in the sky."

Butaijima Island is formed from the samebasaltic scoria, and it is said that it was originally underwater before rising to become connected to the mainland. When the rock was underwater, its top part was above sea level, like an island. It was then eroded by waves, becoming flat, and then rose to its current shape. Butaijima Island took 36 million years to take its current form. Here lies evidence that the Earth is alive.

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A sightseeing boat that lets you enjoy the strange rock formations of the west coast from the sea

For a tour of the unique rock formations on the west coast, a sightseeing cruise on the Oga Peninsula West Coast from Monzen Fishing Port offers stunning views from the sea. You can even see the famous"Godzilla Rock,"which is definitely recommended.

<Osanbashi Pier and Butaijima> INFORMATION

• Facility name: Oga Peninsula Sightseeing Cruise
• Location: Haraigawa River, in front of the main temple gate, Funakawa Port, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-38-2050
• Price: West Coast Cruise Adults 2,500 yen, Children 1,250 yen
• Operating period: Please inquire (closed during winter)
• URL:Oga Sightseeing Cruise Boat
• access:
• Train: Approximately 30 minutes by taxi from Oga Station on the JR Oga Line. Rental cars available near Oga Station
• By car: Approximately 70 minutes from Showa Oga Peninsula IC on the Akita Expressway

GOOGLE MAP

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What did you think of our introduction to the strange rock formations on the west coast? The formations created by the earth are both artistic and fascinating. In addition to the west coast, the Oga Peninsula is home to many other strange rock formations and viewpoints, such as Cape Shiosezaki, home to the "Godzilla Rock" at the southern tip, Unosaki Coast on the south coast, known as "Akita's Uyuni Salt Flats," and Cape Tateyamazaki, geologically important for its "Green Tuff." There are also hot springs in the Nyudozaki area, as well as the Namahage Museum and Oga Mayama Folklore Museum, where you can see Namahage, and the delicious "heated stone cuisine," making for a truly fascinating experience. Why not take a leisurely trip?

We have introduced spots on the south coast in a separate section, so please refer to that as well