Oni no Shitaburui

The Obamaki River, a tributary of the Hii River, flows from the Chugoku Mountains into Lake Shinji. Over many years, its fast-moving waters carved away the rocks to create a grand canyon stretching Approx. 2 km. The name “Oni no Shitaburui” is said to come from an episode in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki in which a wani (shark) falls in love with the beautiful goddess Tamahiname no Mikoto.

On both sides of the V-shaped gorge stand towering rock walls over 60 m high, including Dai-Tengu Rock and Ko-Tengu Rock, while the valley floor is dotted with unusual and massive rocks. Distinctive formations such as Mizugame-iwa (Handoiwa), which stands upright on top of a giant boulder, and Oni no Shitoiwa, said to resemble the huge rock cut by a sword during the training of a popular anime hero, create a one-of-a-kind landscape that has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument. The seasons of fresh greenery and autumn leaves are especially beautiful and draw many visitors.

The Approx. 2 km walking trail along the gorge is barrier-free. Including the 160 m-long, 45 m-high “Shitaburui ‘Koi’ Suspension Bridge,” the entire route from Une Parking Lot to Shimotakao Parking Lot is accessible by wheelchair.