Furuiwaya

A nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty featuring magnificent peaked formations of conglomerated stone with strata remaining from the early Miocene epoch (approximately 20 million years in the past). In the conglomerated stone are countless holes eroded out by the many years of contact with water, and this is said to have given the site its name Furuiwaya, which loosely translates to “Ancient Rock House.” On the rock face grows precious native flora, including iwamatsu spikemoss (Selaginella tamariscina), orchid varieties sekkoku (Dendrobium moniliforme) and uchō-ran (Ponerorchis graminifolia). Use of a telescope facilitates observation of such flora.
Here where folktales of Kōbō-Daishi and Amanojaku, an antagonistic demon, have been handed down, visitors cannot help but be awed by the massive rock formations with their curious shapes and to feel a sense of the grandeur of nature.
Autumn foliage provides color around the rock formations, and the contrast between the massive peaked formations and the turning color of the leaves seems to transport visitors to a painted world.
The green verdure of early summer and the flowers of the various seasons are beautiful as well, and we can also recommend a casual walk along the walking path, which is located in the midst of the abundant surrounding nature.
On the opposite side of the prefectural route are the Kokumin-shukusha FURUIWAYASŌ accommodations, where guests can enjoy meals in the company of Furuiwaya’s magnificent scenery.