If you enter Yoichi from the direction of Sapporo or Otaru and drive along National Route 229 along the Sea of Japan, you will see a mysterious rock. It stands straight out of the water, as if it had plunged from the sky into the sea. This is Yoichi's "Candle Rock," and it is said to have such a long history that it appears in Hokkaido folk tales. There are many mysteries surrounding Candle Rock, but let's try to get as close as possible to the truth behind it. In fact, we don't know the exact date when Candle Rock first stood there. According to an old story, it has been there since long ago, when only gods existed. Therefore, it seems that it was once worshiped as a sacred object. Incidentally, it was named Candle Rock a little later, and indeed, its long and slender shape and the shape of its tip do look like a flame. Located about 500m off the coast of Toyohama Town, Candle Rock is an astounding 40m high rock. When you see it in person, it certainly feels like a divine, solitary presence. However, it wasn't always like this, and in a photo taken in 1928, it was said to be twice as thick as it is now. Candle Rock is actually made of hyaloclastite, a substance that is formed when lava cools in water, and is very brittle. As a result, a vertical crack appeared in the rock during the Shakotan Peninsula earthquake in 1940, and one side of the crack collapsed in the following year's earthquake. It was after 1958 that Candle Rock started to attract attention. After the national highway was opened, many people from outside the area started to pass by, and it became a popular tourist spot. Furthermore, a photo of the moment when the morning sun was just setting on Candle Rock became a hot topic because it looked as if the rock was really on fire.

(Photo courtesy of Yoichi Tourism Association)

The best time to take this photo is from mid to late May, or from late July to early August. The best spot to take this photo is the beach at the fishing port, located between the Takinohama Tunnel and the Toyohama Tunnel on National Route 229. The conditions are quite limited, but if you are interested, why not give it a try? Above all, the view of the Candle Rock is sure to be deeply etched in your memory along with the wonderful photos. <Interview cooperation> Yoichi Tourism Association Address: 8-4 Kurokawacho, Yoichi-cho, Yoichi-gun, Hokkaido Phone: 0135-22-4115 Official website: https://www.yoichi-kankoukyoukai.com