Located in Samuraihama Town in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, this gigantic, monolithic rock just waits to be climbed, offering a sweeping view out over the Pacific Ocean. Visitors here will find the natural stone slab uplifted from the shallow seabed, revealing a granite makeup that dates back to approximately 130 million years ago(Early Cretaceous period).
Sanriku has long been a region met with frequent tsunami waves. During the great wave of Keicho 19 (1614), coastal fishing villages saw considerable damage, including houses washed away over approximately 39km. The then-lord of the Nanbu Domain, Toshinao, visited the area and is said to have rested atop this rock. This led to the rock being referred to as "Samurai Rock." There are other legends tied to this site, including foot-like holes on the surface said to have been made by the fleeing Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his followers as they headed north.
The rock is located along Tagonoki Walkway, a promenade leading to Tagonoki Fishing Port. Along the walkway, you can see Japanese red pines and oak trees, as well as seasonal flowers like yellow day lilies and Hamayuri. The deciduous trees here shed their leaves in winter, making way for a clearer view of the sea and a pleasant backdrop for a stroll all year around.
Highlights
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Breathtaking views await from atop a massive stone slab, dating back an approximate 130 million years.
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Tied to a number of legends of historic figures.
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Pleasant promenade for walking along the way.
