親子岩 Oyako-iwa Oyako-iwa Rocks
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Oyako-iwa Rocks (Parents and Child Rocks) are three large and small rocks, which seem to be afloat on the expanse of blue Pacific Ocean in the offing of Samani Town in southern Hokkaido. They are named so because they look like the father, the mother and a child resting close to each other. The group of rocks is counted as one of the eight scenic spots in Samani Town.
The rocks had been called “Unpe Repunke,” meaning “the parents and a child rocks” by the Ainu people, which was later translated into Japanese. According to an Ainu legend, when a village on the coast was defeated in a battle, the village head went into the sea and transformed himself into a huge rock, at which the pursuers shot arrows, until finally the rock split into three. You will be confused by these mysterious rocks because you might be able to find only one rock or two, depending on your observation point.
The coast area is arranged into a recreational area, where visitors can enjoy swimming at Oyako-iwa Fureai Beach and fishing from the breakwater. The rocks seen from Oyako-iwa Observatory at the sunset are especially beautiful.
The rocks had been called “Unpe Repunke,” meaning “the parents and a child rocks” by the Ainu people, which was later translated into Japanese. According to an Ainu legend, when a village on the coast was defeated in a battle, the village head went into the sea and transformed himself into a huge rock, at which the pursuers shot arrows, until finally the rock split into three. You will be confused by these mysterious rocks because you might be able to find only one rock or two, depending on your observation point.
The coast area is arranged into a recreational area, where visitors can enjoy swimming at Oyako-iwa Fureai Beach and fishing from the breakwater. The rocks seen from Oyako-iwa Observatory at the sunset are especially beautiful.
- address
- Samani-cho, Samani-gun, Hokkaido 058-0000
- name
- Oyako-iwa Rocks