You can take great photos! Yoshi Onii-san walks around the world heritage site “Onigajo”!

*This article is based on the content of the January 12, 2022 broadcast of "Yoshi Onii-san's "You're starting to look more like a dad" that is broadcast every Wednesday on CBC TV's "Chant!" .

1. Visit the world heritage site “Onigajo”

What is the world heritage site “Onigajo”?

Onigajo is kachiji with beautiful natural art that has been designated as a national scenic spot and natural monument.

In 2004, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes of the Kii Mountain Range."

There are also places where you can see spots with unique names such as ``Oni no Bathtub'' and ``Oni no Watchtower.''

You can take pictures of beautiful spots that blend with the majestic nature! It has also been featured in numerous media outlets.

I'm also happy that you can enjoy it for free ♪

Access and parking to the world heritage site “Onigajo”

Access to the world heritage site “Onigajo” is convenient by car!

Get off at the last stop of the Kisei Expressway - Kumano Owase Road, "Kumano Odomari IC" and drive along National Route 42 towards Shingu for about 30 seconds, and you'll see Onigajo signboard!

There is a free parking lot next to Onigajo Center, so please park your car there♪

By the way, if you are coming by public transportation, get off at JR Kisei Main Line "KumanoCity Station" ⇒ Get off at Mie Kotsu Bus "Onigajo Higashiguchi" ⇒ Walk for about 3 minutes!

There are only a few buses in operation, so we recommend checking the timetable on the Mie Kotsu website in advance.

One point advice! Sneakers are recommended for shoes!

It takes about 40 minutes to go around the promenade (approximately 1 km).

In addition, there are many places where footing is unstable due to the rugged rocky areas and narrow roads!

Heeled shoes or sandals are dangerous, so please wear shoes that are comfortable for walking.

It might be a good idea to bring a hat, as your head may hit the quay and get sandy.

2. Challenge yourself to take great photos!

“I came to KumanoCity, Mie Prefecture! Onigajo is kind of a scary name Onigajo isn’t it?”

In fact, Onigajo is the place where Tagamaru, a pirate who was feared as a demon in the early Heian period, lived!

It is said that Sakanoue no Tamuramaro conquered it under the orders of Emperor Kanmu, and it was originally called ``Oni no Iwaya'', but later came to be known as `` Onigajo''.

"A demon really lived there!!!??? That's amazing! I wonder what kind of place it is. I'm so excited♪"

Onigajo is said to have been created by the rock uplifted by an earthquake being carved out by the rough waves of the Kumanonada Sea.

The spectacular view of rough rocks stretches for about 1km.

"Then I'd like to go! I'm looking forward to it."

①The biggest highlight! "Senjojiki"

This "Senjojiki" is said to be the place where Tayamaru lived, and is currently being talked about as a photogenic place on SNS ♪

Yoshi-nii-san, it seems like you're wondering what kind of photo to take.

"It's impressive. Where should we take the photo?"

↓Here is the actual photo taken by Yoshi Onii-san↓

"It's so big that it's difficult to get a good angle to photograph it!! I hope I took a good shot."

A little bit of trivia! What is Senjojiki?

Senjojiki is a place name that describes the flat topography as ``1,000 tatami mats'' as its name suggests.

They seem to exist all over the country, including Mt. Hakodate in Hokkaido and Shirahama Town in Wakayama Prefecture.

Senjojiki of Onigajo is a large rock cave with two levels, upper and lower, and is said to be the biggest attraction of Onigajo!

If you go up the stairs to the rock cave at the top, you can take impressive photos of the rocks approaching you! !

It might be interesting to take a photo with a composition like the photo below♪

② Difficult point “Saru Return”

Next, we will move on to ``Saru Return''.

You can see large cracks in the rocks on the cliffs, which are over 100 meters long and several tens of meters high.

It is said that the road got its name because it is so narrow and high that even monkeys turn back here.

"Wow! It feels like the rocks are coming closer!"

③A huge bath? "Demon Bathtub"

As you continue along Saru Return, you will come to a spot called ``Oni no Furo-oke.''

"It's quite expensive. It's said that the name comes from the fact that the seawater pooled in the hollow of the rock looked like a giant bathing tub."

“The wave spray is so powerful!!”

④“Oni no Watchtower” with a panoramic view of the Kumano Sea

The next highlight is the ``Oni no Observatory'' which offers a panoramic view of the Kumano Sea.

``It is said that in the past, when maritime traffic was active, it was a perfect place to look out.''

"It feels great to be able to see the ocean. I wonder if they were keeping watch while holding a stick like this..."

⑤ Countless depressions! "honeycomb"

As you go deeper into the interior, you will see a ``bee hive'' with countless depressions in the ceiling.

"As the name suggests, it really does look like a beehive. I feel like I'm a bee!"

⑥And more! "Oku Kido" "Tunnel"

In addition, there are many other attractions!

First is the "Oku Kido". It was named because it is the place with the best view in Onigajo.

It is located a little further from Senjojiki.

There is a magnificent view on the other side, but the road is narrow and steep, so if you have small children, it is best to just enjoy Senjojiki and Oku Kido without overdoing it. maybe.

And then there's the "tunnel" at the end.

This tunnel connects to Onigajo Center, the starting point!

3. Fantastic citrus “Nihime” sweets

"If you're hungry after seeing the spectacular view, Onigajo Center is recommended! See you there! I took out the soft serve ice cream♪"

"The scent of Niihime is refreshing and delicious. It's said to be very popular with children."

Yoshi-niisan took out Niihime soft-serve ice cream.

In fact, “Nihime” is a fantastic citrus fruit that can only be harvested in KumanoCity!

"Nihime" drinks are also recommended☆彡

There is a restaurant on the second floor of Onigajo Center, where you can enjoy dishes using KumanoJidori(TheLocalBrandChicken) and sea bream!

4. Nearby is the World Heritage Site “Shishiiwa”!

You can see the world heritage site "Shishiiwa" from a place about 3 minutes by car from Onigajo!

Please stop by and have a look♪

5. lastly···

"Onigajo was a spectacular view! I'm sure you'll be able to take great photos with your family ♪ I want to come again with my daughter."

About “Yoshi-niisan is starting to look more like a dad”

A segment aired every Wednesday on the CBC TV program "Chant!" Introducing the charms of Mie Prefecture, located almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago, from a father's perspective. This is a program in which ``Yoshi Onii-san'', who is growing as a father every day, uses the knowledge of Mie Prefecture he has learned so far to convey information about Mie from a more mature perspective.

Past broadcast contents are published on the official website of "Chant!"​

[About the past collaboration article with “Yoshi Onii-san’s “You’re starting to look more like a dad”]

“Yoshi Onii-san” takes a photo shoot at the Matsuzaka Castle ruins! Learn how to take photos from photographer Masashi Asada [Part 1]

“Yoshi Onii-san” takes on a family photo at GojobanYashiki! Learn how to take photos from photographer Masashi Asada [Part 2]

``Yoshio-san'' takes on the challenge of climbing Mt. Binishi, aiming for Mie Prefecture's spectacular scenic spot ``Elephant Back''!

“Yoshi Onii-san” experiences an AmaHut（Amagoya）with “Kazari” in Shima!

“Begonia Garden” I want to go to now! ! Yoshi Onii-san enjoys “Nabananosato”!

What is “Yoshi Onii-san”?

The 11th generation gymnast on the NHK program ``Okaasan to Issho.'' My real name is Yoshihisa Kobayashi. His nickname is "Yoshi Onii-san". After graduating from the program in 2019, he opened a YouTube channel "Let's play with Yoshi Onii-san!" The theme of the channel is "videos that are fun for children and safe for adults to watch," and the channel has over 100,000 subscribers.