Near Nachi Waterfalls is Daimon-zaka slope, which is one of the most popular pilgrimage routes along the Kumano Kodo, and retains a strong trace of the olden days. Many parts of this path are made of rocks from this area. At Daimon-zaka slope, visitors can dress up in the costumes of the aristocrats who once worshipped along the Kumano Kodo and take a walk around the area. It might be interesting to think of the worshippers of old while wearing the costumes.

🗾Daimon-zaka slope
Address: Nachikatsura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

②Ichimai-iwa Monolith in Kozagawa & The Mushikui-iwa Rock in Takaike

Kozagawa River is a popular activity spot for canoeing and rafting. As you go down the river, you will see a huge rock about 100 meters high and 500 meters wide. This giant rock is called the “Monolith of Kozagawa” and is designated as a national natural monument due to its unusual size. It is said that the rock was formed when magma erupted to the earth’s surface about 14 to 15 million years ago.

🗾Ichimai-iwa Monolith in Kozagawa
Address: Aise Kozagawa-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

The rock may be a bit chilling for those who have a trypophobia. It is called the “Mushikui-iwa (Insect-Eaten Rock) of Takaike,” because it has holes in it as if it had been eaten by insects. Of course, the holes were not eaten by insects, but were created by weathering called tafoni.

🗾The Mushikui-iwa Rock in Takaike
Address: Ikenoyama Kozagawa-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

③The Hashigui-iwa Rocks

I will introduce some unique and unusual rocks adjacent to the sea. The Hashigui-iwa rocks (Bridge Pile Rock) is a unique spot where more than 40 rock pillars of various sizes line a straight line for about 850 meters out to sea. It is said to have that those rocks were formed by rising magma from the underground about 14 to 15 million years ago. At low tide, visitors can get close to the rocks and take unique photos of the unique rock formations.

🗾The Hashigui-iwa Rocks
Address: Kujinokawa Kushimoto-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

④Senjojiki Rock Plateau

Senjojiki Rock Plateau is located not far from Shirahama, one of the Kansai region’s most popular resorts. It is a terrain where flat seabed created by wave erosion has been uplifted and formed into coastal terraces. It is a vast, large bedrock formation, named for its size, which is large enough to lay a thousand tatami mats on. Visitors can walk to the edge of the waves and see and touch the multi-layered rocks up close.

🗾Senjojiki Rock Plateau
Address: 2927-72 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

⑤The Phoenix Fold

It is a strange shape, like a rock monster. Strata are generally deposited horizontally, but if they are laterally compressed by crustal movement before they are completely solidified, they bend into a corrugated shape. The Phoenix Fold is said to have been formed between 20 and 40 million years ago, and is a globally rare formation with a large fold like the letter “U” in the alphabet.

🗾The Phoenix Fold
Address: Kuchiwabuka Susami-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

Nanki Kumano Geopark Center

I have introduced the recommended spots in the Nanki Kumano Geopark, but if you want to know more about the Geopark, I recommend visiting the Nanki-Kumano Geopark Center. You can learn about the formation of the terrain through videos and panels.

🗾Nanki Kumano Geopark Center
Address: 2838-3 Shionomisaki, Kushimoto-town, Wakayama Prefecture

Find your private GEO specialist guide!

Geography Spots are fun just to look at, but the best way to enjoy them is to take a tour with a professional guide who can introduce you to the rarity, history, and uniqueness of the terrain. The tour guide will explain in an easy-to-understand manner about hidden spots that are not yet known to people and stories that will give you a sense of the history of the earth. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to the following address.

There are many themes such as food, culture, and many other things to do on a trip to Japan, but it might be fun to take this opportunity to tour Japan under the theme of “Geography”!