Kayo Folded Strata (嘉陽層の褶曲)

Flow of the course

About this spot

These rock layers are exposed along the coast of Kayo in Nago City and designated a national natural monument. Layers of sand and mud that were originally stacked horizontally now appear dramatically folded in the rock face due to the force of the Earth's crust. Seeing folds you'd normally only see in textbook diagrams up close, within arm's reach, is a rare experience. With the sound of the waves in the background, there's no better place to talk about tens of millions of years of history. Telling children it's a place where the ground got bent like clay quickly sparks their interest.

Tips

The rocks can be slippery when wet, so wear easy-to-walk-in shoes or marine shoes. As this is a natural monument, please take care not to damage the rocks. The area you can approach changes with the tide. There's no shade, so a hat and something to drink are essential. Kanucha Resort is about a 15-minute drive away.

Best time to visit

About 40 minutes. At low tide, you can get closer to observe the rock layers.

Access & map

905-2261 Amenoya, Nago-shi, Okinawa