Hidden Wonder of Japan 🪨 The Mystical Onmyo Stone (330,000 Years of Nature)

Hidden Wonder of Japan 🪨 The Mystical Onmyo Stone (330,000 Years of Nature)

About a 4-minute drive from Sannomiya Canyon, there’s a mysterious ancient rock known worldwide. It’s called the Onmyo Stone, and the one in Kobayashi City is the largest in Japan. We’ve arrived at a spacious parking lot. 😊
The Onmyo Stone should be somewhere nearby… We wandered a bit, unsure of the way, until someone told us it’s on the other side of the lot. This building is a history museum about Kobayashi City. It’s closed today, probably because it’s a weekday. Since we’re here, let’s go further inside and take a look. “There are two mysterious stones by Hamanose River; don’t tell anyone.”
This poem about the Onmyo Stone was written in 1929 by poet Ujō Noguchi. Nearby, there’s a bench shaped in a funny way—maybe inspired by the Onmyo Stone. 😄 This is called Koyasu Jizo, a protective statue for mothers and children, probably also because the Onmyo Stone is nearby. Back at the parking lot, we found stairs leading down to the Iwase(Hamanose) River. There it is—the Onmyo Stone! For those unfamiliar, Onmyo Stone are stones resembling male and female sexual organs. The male-shaped stone is called the Yang Stone, and the female-shaped one is the Yin Stone. For centuries, people have worshipped Onmyo Stones for fertility, safe childbirth, and matchmaking. This Onmyo Stone is considered especially sacred, because it lies at the foot of Mt. Futagami in Takachiho, legendary site of the heavenly descent. Rather than a mere natural oddity, it has long been honored as the sacred body of the gods. After a road was built in 1917, people from outside the area also began visiting. But from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, some facilities closed, and the stone was mostly forgotten. It became nationally famous again in 2009, when former Miyazaki Governor Higashikokubaru designated it a “Sacred Site of Life’s Origins” as part of Miyazaki’s Natural Heritage. Like Sannomiya Canyon, this Onmyo Stone was formed about 330,000 years ago.
 Volcanic ash and lava from a massive eruption were later carved by rivers into shape. Onmyo Stones exist all over Japan, but this one is famous for its realistic shape and huge size—17.5 meters tall. Seeing it up close, its size and presence are truly impressive. From this observation deck, it’s hard to see clearly,… but there’s a Yin Stone in front of the Yang Stone, with a circumference of 5.5 meters. Having both such large stones together is very rare. (Photo by Wikipedia) Next, let’s take a look at the Onmyo Stone from the side. This area was once called Hinamori… The Nihon Shoki, one of Japan’s oldest historical records, mentions Hinamori. Long ago, many people gathered by the Iwase River. The Onmyo Stone has been an important gathering place ever since. The 10th-century Engishiki, an official Heian-period record, mentions “Hinamori in Hyuga Province” for military and ceremonial use, showing that this area was considered very important to the country for its role in military and ceremonial matters. Legend says a dragon, enchanted by a beautiful woman, descended and turned into this stone. You can almost see the dragon in its shape… Hyuga Chishi, published in 1867 (Keiō 3), describes this Onmyo Stone, with illustrations by Keishiro Kiwaki of the Satsuma Domain and text by Morinaga Kaki. It describes the Stone as a mysterious, one-of-a-kind natural wonder. Shaped over countless millennia, the Onmyo Stone really shows the deep mystery of nature.

🌿 Experience Miyazaki, the “Land of Sun and Myth,” through hidden gems, mystical shrines, and stunning nature — with no narration, only calming nature sounds and original healing BGM.
Perfect for travel, relaxation, meditation, and enjoying the beauty of Japan.

Discover the Onmyo Stone in Kobayashi, Miyazaki — a hidden sacred site shaped by volcanic forces over 330,000 years ago. 🌿

This mystical stone, revered as a Goshintai (sacred object), has inspired stories and wonder for centuries. Surrounded by gentle forests and peaceful scenery, the Onmyo Stone carries the quiet spirit of Japanese mythology and the artistry of nature’s time. 🍃

Take a slow walk through this serene place, feel the atmosphere of Japan’s hidden gems, and enjoy a tranquil journey into Miyazaki’s sacred landscapes. 💫

Perfect for travelers who love nature walks, Japanese spirituality, scenic spots, and off-the-beaten-path discoveries in Japan.

🎵 No narration / Nature sounds + original BGM by Rinaldo & Satomi
✨ Let yourself unwind and enjoy this peaceful journey through one of Japan’s hidden natural wonders.

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Location map:
Ohmyo Shone(Kobayashi)
https://www.google.com/maps/place/陰陽石/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xdca62dc89d8b6259?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111

Timestamps:
0:00 – Opening
0:38 – Arrival at the Onmyo Stone parking lot in Kobayashi
0:58 – Kobayashi City History Museum
2:19 – From the parking lot to the Iwase River
4:41 – Onmyo Stone (front view)
6:44 – Onmyo Stone (side view)
7:46 – Ending

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