Namiuchizaki

Sano Rock (prefecturally designated natural monument)

Sano-iwa, which appears to rise from the sea, is made up of three gigantic rocks: the drum-shaped Taiko-iwa, the 50m-high Otoko-iwa, and the Onna-iwa nearby. There is a sea cave in Otokowa, and it is said that passing through it will bring you good luck. The rock has layers of Cretaceous conglomerate and sandstone. There is a promenade nearby, and you can also do sea fishing. The further down the promenade you go, the closer you will see the brave rock formations. Dynamic rock fishing can be enjoyed all along the coast from Taro Port to Masaki and Myojinzaki. You can catch greenling, sea bass, donko, perch, mackerel, etc. The season is from May to December.

Jodogahama Beach

The name Jodogahama was given about 300 years ago by Reikyo, the seventh head priest of Joanji Temple in Mt. Miyako, who exclaimed, ``It's just like the Pure Land of Paradise.'' In 2001, it was selected as one of the top 100 scented landscapes, and in 2006, it was selected as one of Japan's 100 best bathing beaches, specially selected by the sea section.

Honshoji Temple

``What will happen? The movements of the heavens and the earth, the individual behavior of human beings, etc., are nothing more than a leaf in the autumn breeze. Let it be. That's what Musashi thought.'' Yoshikawa begins with this passage. The first draft of Eiji's ``Miyamoto Musashi'' was written at Honshoji Temple in 1930. From Morioka Minami on the Tohoku Expressway to your destination via the prefectural road, take National Route 106 to Miyako. 10 minutes by car from Miyako to Honshoji Temple (near Municipal Atago Elementary School).