Japan Sea Oiwake Soran Line: A Journey of Beautiful Coastlines and Strange Rocks
While traveling north along the Japan Sea Oiwake Soran Line (the red arrow section on the map), I enjoyed the beautiful coastline and unusual rock formations.
1. Takise Coast Shirafura (Otobe Town)
Shirafura means "white slope" in the Ainu language.
It is believed to have been formed when pumice ejected by volcanic eruptions about 5 million years ago accumulated on the seabed, and the strata subsequently uplifted.
The white of the cliffs stood out beautifully against the blue sky.
The 20-meter-high white cliffs towered for about 500 meters, making it feel as if I were abroad.
2. Kuguri-iwa (Pass-through Rock) (Otobe Town)
This hole was not formed naturally; it is said to have been dug during the Edo period as a passage for transporting herring.
There is a white line running above the hole.
It is just high enough for a person to pass through by crouching.
3. Strange Rock Kumoishi (Yakumo Town)
In 1529, the Ainu chieftain Tanakeshi started a battle.
The Japanese brothers Sukekane and his younger brother Suketoki fought against him.
However, the Ainu army was so strong that the older brother, Sukekane, was killed in battle.
Suketoki, the younger brother, fled from his pursuers and hid among the rocks on the shore.
Suddenly, black smoke billowed from the rock, the sky turned pitch black, thunder roared, and Suketoki's life was saved.
It is said that in gratitude for being spared, Suketoki built Yakumo Shrine on top of the rock.
4. Meoto-iwa (Setana Town)
There is a legend that a beautiful girl and a young fisherman who were in love but could not be together in this life turned into rocks and now gaze out at the sea while snuggled together.
5. Parent and Child Bear Rock (Setana Town)
Long ago, a parent and child bear lived deep in the mountains.
Suffering from hunger, the parent and child bear came to the coast to eat crabs.
The cub, imitating its parent's movements while chasing a crab, slipped off the rock and fell into the sea.
The parent bear, reaching out to save the drowning cub, also fell into the sea.
It is said that the god of the sea, who had been watching the whole event, was moved by the parent's love, rescued the drowning bears, and turned them into rock.
6. Rock with an Unknown Name (Shimamaki Village)
Near the Kabuto-iwa Tunnel, there was a rock towering like a chimney.
It seems like there might be some story behind it, but I could not find out what it was.
How did you find the scenery of the Soran Line?
If you continue north from here, the road leads to Iwanai, Shakotan, and Otaru, where you can enjoy even more beautiful landscapes.
When you visit southern Hokkaido, please take a trip along the Nihonkai Oiwake Soran Line!