MieTravel

Photograph the about 25-meter-high oddly-shaped rock roaring toward Kumano-nada

About this spot

A massive boulder about 25 meters high rising from Shichiri-mihama beach. Its profile resembles a lion's face roaring with wide-open mouth toward Kumano-nada—a natural sculpture created by land uplift and wave erosion. It is also registered as part of the World Heritage site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." Locals believe it to be the guardian lion-dog of the Taima Shrine located upstream in the Idokawa River; interestingly, Taima Shrine has no guardian lions because of this legend. The rock's expression changes depending on the viewing angle, making it fun for friends to discuss which composition best captures its leonine appearance. Between mid-May and mid-June, at dawn, the sun can fit perfectly inside the lion's mouth—a famous "miraculous shot" that attracts photography enthusiasts from across the country.

Tips

Located along Route 42, about a 15-minute walk from JR Kumano Station and about 5 minutes by car from Oni-ga-shiro. There is no dedicated parking; if driving, park near Michi-no-Eki "Kumano-Hana-no-iwaya" and visit it as part of a route that includes Hana-no-iwaya Shrine and Shichiri-mihama for efficiency. The rock is visible from the highway sidewalk, but descending to the beach to view it from below offers far more dramatic impact. The gravel beach is easy to walk on, but wear comfortable shoes.