Site of original light-house

[A site of an original light-house]
On the top of Nichiren-saki Cape, there is a mark of an original light-house surounded by many piled up stones. It is said that the original light-house which was lighted by an oil lamp, was here and was managed by a priest of Renchaku-ji temple for the safe navigation of the ships passing off the cape in about 100 years ago.

Columner Joint of Jogasaki coast

Ito Jogasaki coast was formed with a lava streamed down from Mt.Omuro about 4000 years ago when it erupted and there can be seen many columner joints or sections of columner joint ( hexagonal shaped stones)
Photos: (from left)Saituna cape near Hashidate area, Oyodo-Koyodo, and the tip of Nakayama cape of Futo coast.

Suzume-jima

Suzume-jima (or Sparrow rock) of Ito Futo coast. It was named as many sparrows crowed around this rock in the old days by some reasons.

Futo coast (Ito city)

Futo coast of Ito city is located at the north of Jogasaki coast. As same as Jogasaki coast, Futo coast was formed with the lava streamed down from Mt.Omuro about 4000 years ago. The shape of Futo coast is quite similar to Jogasaki coast with many small capes and so beautiful.

Jogasaki-Kaigan Station

Jogasaki-Kaigan (Railway) Station is a gateway to Jogasaki coast. It is the 4th station from Ito station for the train going to Izukyu-Shimoda direction. It is a unique station as it is made of thick natural logs, which were imported from Canada. We call the station a Log House station. From this Jogasaki-Kaigan station to Kadowaki Light House, Suspension Bridge, and the precipitous cliffs of Jogasaki coast, it takes about 30 minutes by walk through 1.5 kilometers of cherry trees road. People, after getting off the train at Jogasaki Kaigan station, enjoy taking a walk to the Jogasaki coast.
Recently, Ashi-Yu (Foot Spa) service is openned in this Jogasaki-Kaigan station and people can ease their foots-fatigue(free of charge) just at the corner of the station.

Ashi-Yu ( Foot-Spa) of Jogasaki-Kaigan station

At the end of Jogasaki-Kaigan station platform, you can take Ashi-Yu (Foot-Spa) and ease your foot-weariness after taking a stroll along the beautiful Jogasaki coast.

Spectacular Scenery of Jogasaki Coast

There is a 8-kilometer-promenade laid along the Jogasaki coast between Boranaya ( Mullet Fishing Barn) at Futo area and Yahatano fishing port. Tourists can enjoy walking along the promenade while they enjoy seeing the magificient natural beauty of Jogasaki coast like this photo.
This natural beauty of Jogasaki coast with vertical cliffs rising up from the sea was formed by the lava streamed out to the sea from Mt. Omuro , when it erupted about 4,000 years ago, rapidly cooled, became hard, and eroded by the wave breaking on repeatedly.
Along this promenade of Jogasaki coast, there are Kadowaki Light House, Suspension Bridge, Izu Oceanic Park, Renchaku-ji Temple, Mochinoki Tree(Llex integra) eating stones, Manaita-iwa Rock, etc.

Pot Hole and a Huge Stone-ball

On Kannon-hama beach of Jogasaki coast, there is a pot hole with a huge stone ball(about 70cm in diameter) inside, which is understood to have been formed naturally by the continuous beating of the sea waves for thousands of years ( perhaps, since the eruption of MT.Omuro ). This can be seldom seen in Japan and is quite valuable in natural geography or geographical science.
( To find the place where it is on Kannon-hama beach, is rather difficult for the visitors, as there is neither information board nor mark nearby, and next my photo may help you to find the Pot Hole & the Huge Stone-ball quickly, when you come to Jogasaki coast to have a look at this strange phenomena )

Pot Hole & a Huge Stone-ball (2) Ｗｈｅｒｅ is it ?

If you want to have a look at this Pot Hole & a Huge Stone-ball in Jogasaki coast, you must, firstly, find a guidepost of Kannon-hama beach (see the picture ) by the promenade of Jogasaki coast between Izu Oceanic Park and Hashidate area of Jogasaki coast. Then, go down to the beach until the water's edge between Ohshima-ga-ne and Kannon-ga-ne( near Iga-Iga-ne), and then please refer to this wide-view photo to find the place)

Renchakuji Temple

There is an old temple named Renchaku-ji(temple) near Izu Oceanic Park of Jogasaki coast. The temple was built in 1508 as a memorial of Nichiren Shonin(Holy Priest) who was banished by Kamakura Shogunate and sent to Izu (Ito) in 1250.( For details, please refer to another photo " Nichiren Shonin")

Nichiren Shonin (Holy Priest)

There is a bronze statue of Nichiren Shonin (Nichiren Holy Priest) in Renchaku-ji Temple grounds. Nichiren Shonin was born in 1222. He was a founder of Nichiren sect based on Hokyekyo (a kind of Buddhism). Even now there are many followers throughout the country.
In 1255, when Japan was under Kamakura shogunate, there were many troubles and incidents throughout the country, such as earth-quakes,Typhoons, big fires, shortage of foods, sickness of many people, robberies, killers, death of people, etc. Nichiren Shonin blamed the government policy and wrote a doctrine on how to build a peace country. It was not favorable to Kamakura shogunate and he was arrested. He was sent to Izu Peninsula for punishment by a small boat and left alone on Manaita Iwa rock (please refer to the another photo ) so that he might be killed by the high water tide when it swept over Manaita rock.
Fortunately, just before the high water tide came, he was found and saved by a fisherman who lived in Ito village. The fisherman, then, kept him hidden near his house for the time being and Nichiren-Shonin could keep himslf alive.

Renchaku-ji( temple ) was built in 1508 as a memorial of NICHIREN SHONIN.

Manaita-Iwa Rock

Nichiren Shonin (Holy Priest) strictly blamed Kamakura shogunate for their bad administration in Kamakura age of Japan around 1255. Because of this, he was sent to Izu for punishment by a small boat from Edo (Tokyo now) and left alone on this Manaita-Iwa rock, as the govermment was intending to kill him automatically by the high water tide when it swept over Manaita-Iwa rock.
Manaita-Iwa rock is at Jogasaki coast quite near Renchaku-ji Temple.

Mochinoki Tree(Llex integra) eating stones (2)

Can you believe a tree eats stone ? This strange tree, named " Mochinoki Tree (or Llex integra) Eating Stones ", is in Renchaku-ji Temple grounds near Jogasaki coast.

Mochinoki Tree(Llex integra) eating stones

There is a Mochinoki Tree (or Llex integra), which is eating many stones like this photo, in Renchaku-ji Temple grounds. Is the stone delicious ?

Very Old Yamamo Tree(1)

In Renchaku-ji Temple grounds, there is　a very old Yamamo tree(MYRICA RUBRA), which is 1,000 years old. It is　designated as a natural monument of Japan.