The landscape of Hashigui-iwa (Bridge Pillar Rocks) evokes the sensation of wandering into a foreign realm or fantasy world.

These precisely aligned stone columns rising from the sea create an otherworldly impression reminiscent of karst formations in China and Southeast Asia—a scene distinctly different from Japan’s typical coastal views.

Just before sunrise, as these rocks transform into silhouettes against the crimson sky, they create an enchanted atmosphere unique to this sacred spot. Hashigui-iwa truly offers visitors a gateway to “another world” while remaining firmly on Japanese soil.

Getting there: Located along National Route 42. Convenient viewing and parking available at the adjacent Michi-no-Eki ‘Kushimoto Hashigui-iwa’ (government-designated roadside station offering parking, local products, and tourist information).

Photographed: Early July 2024, 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM

Temperature: 25°C (77°F)

Text/Kenji Sakamoto
Photo/Kenji Sakamoto
Translation/Yumiko Sushitani