Hidden Gem in Iwami Region

In one corner of peaceful Oda City, you’ll find a hidden gem: Oni-Iwa Rock. Away from the noise of busy town, this quiet spot and stunning Japan heritage will let you leave the busyness of your daily life.

“Oni-Iwa” which means “rock of ogre” was registered to Japan Heritage in 2007 with its holes made by salt weathering which is unusual in mountains area far away from a coast. This huge rock is situated in Onimura Village, Ōda City, Ōya Town, Shimane Prefecture. It stands 15 meters tall, measures 15 meters from north to south, 5 meters from east to west, and has a wide head like an umbrella and holes on the side. Those holes look like marks of ogres carrying the rock and therefore it’s called Oni-Iwa (means the Rock of Ogre).

After 6-7 minutes of climbing the steep slope, the view from the top of Oni-Iwa was stunning that I just stood still and gazed the beautiful blue sky without clouds, two mountains piled and the course of Sasagawa River like a scene from a painting.

⇧From the base of Oni-Iwa ⇧From the top of Oni-Iwa

Our guide, Mr. Kuniiwa, shared:

“The best time to visit this spot is September because you can see beautiful red spider lily flowering along the road.”

Unfortunately, we could only see the flowers in a photo taken by him, but that was worth seeing them in real life. In October though, it was also beautiful to see and enjoy autumn in Japan with tiny dragonflies flying in the air and chilling atmosphere of nature.

(from Oya Town, official page https://www.ohyamjh.com/cont3/main.html)

Dragonfly perching on a finger and a bracelet hand-made at Ryogonji Temple

Mr. Kuniiwa also shared:

“There is a new stone statue named ‘the Ogre Stature of Wish’ (I need an idea for the translation for this…). Write your wish down to a wish stone and put your left hand in the right hand of the statue. The ogre might give you energy.”

Local residents and the Executive Committee of Onimura Revitalization hope this statue will become a spiritual spot and a new symbol in the local area.

access to Ono-Iwa Rock (Google Map):

〒694-0032 島根県大田市大屋町鬼村

Onimura Village, Oyamachi, Oda City, Shimane. 694-0032

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WaDADjMSctMWCjUz8

Near Spots

: Jinguji (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) This quiet place surrounded by many trees is the original location of Jinguji tmple.It is located across a small b...(read more)

: Ganryuji Temple (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) History of Ganryuji Temple About 1,200 years ago, during the Daido period (806~810), Kobo Daishi Kukai founded the near...(read more)

: Kanzeonji Temple (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) The original Kanzeonji Temple burned down in 1800 in a fire which destroyed most of the town. However, it was reconstruc...(read more)

: Shogenji Temple (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) If you enjoy visiting temples, Iwami has a 33 temple pilgrimage route that you can follow. Shogenji Temple is one ...(read more)

: Kannanmiji temple (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) Kannamiji Temple is the 11th on the Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage.It's in the Kawamoto area of Gotsu city and was...(read more)

: Senganji temple (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) Senganji temple is located at the top of a small mountain in theKawamoto area of Gotsu. This temple was establis...(read more)

: Jionji Temple (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) This is Jionji (慈恩寺). It is located in Tsuchi cho, Gotsu city. Thetemple was built in 1376by Tadafuyu Ashika...(read more)

: Seisuiji Temple SeisuijiTemple is a Shingon Buddhist temple, and is a notable place in the history of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, wh...(read more)

: Ebisu Shrine in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture This beautiful building is Ebisu Shrine in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. This shrine is a sub-shrine of Miho Shrin...(read more)

: Takanoji Temple ( Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) If you enjoy walking, we recommend Takano temple, about 20 minutes by taxi from Yunotsu station in Iwami region. The mai...(read more)

: Iwami 33 Temple Pigrimage Have you ever heard a pilgrimage to the Iwami Kannon 33 Temples Pilgrimage? All the temples are located in Iwami region ...(read more)

: Enpukuji Temple (Iwami 33 Temple Pilgrimage) If you want to see a visual representation of the last judgement, you should visit Enpuku-ji temple in Ohda, Iwami regio...(read more)