View Point
Thinking about the power of a caldera volcano (The Ichimai-iwa of Kozagawa River)
Japan's biggest monolith
Around 15 million years ago, there was a huge volcanic eruption in the Kumano Region. An explosive eruption caused the ground to collapse, creating the Kumano Caldera, and the volcanic ashes and magma hardened to form arc-shaped igneous dikes along its southern edge. Known as Kozagawa arc-shaped dikes, these remnants of volcanic activity are exposed in many places, and this monolith is one example. The soaring sight of the enormous 100 m tall, 500 m wide rock wall is so powerful it leaves you speechless.
Index
Enjoying a different view every day depending on the season
Just after dawn, the sun illuminates the whole rock beautifully, while on rainy days, many waterfalls form on the surface of the rock. The monolith surrounded by mist rising after rain is also a majestic sight. The surrounding landscape is colored with red maple leaves in fall and cherry blossoms in spring. In particular, from November you can also see the shapes of the monolith reflected on the mirror-like water surface as the river level decreases.
Viewing the wide rock wall from the “Ichimaiiwa monolith” roadside station
From the cafe space at the “Ichimaiiwa monolith” roadside station, you can relax and enjoy views of the monolith filling the windows. In the shops you can discover the blessings of the beautiful mountains and the clear waters of the Koza River such as local specialty products, delicacies made from deer or wild board meat, and locally fished wild ayu (sweetfish).
Spectacular view points of The Ichimai-iwa of Kozagawa River
| Address | Roadside Station “Ichimaiiwa monolith” 〒649-4235 290-2 Aise, Kozagawa-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama, Japan |
|---|---|
| Traffic Access |
By public transportation：From “Koza Station” on the JR Kinokuni-line, take the Furusato Bus (Honkawa Line) for around 30 minutes to “Ichimaiiwa” and then walk for around 3 minutes. By car：From Osaka/Wakayama, around 40 minutes’ drive from Susami-south IC. |
| Parking | Available（ free ） |
| Supported Language | Explanatory signboard in English. |
* Information is subject to change. Please be sure to check with the site/facility before heading out.
