ARTICLES
The Hidden History of Candle Rock, Standing Tall in the Blue Sea of Yoichi
As you drive from the Sapporo/Otaru area into Yoichi along National Route 229, which follows the coast of the Sea of Japan, a peculiar rock comes into view. It stands straight up from the surface of the sea, as if it were a spear thrust from the heavens. This is Yoichi's "Candle Rock" (Rōsoku Iwa), a formation so ancient that it even appears in old Hokkaido folktales. Let's delve into the many mysteries surrounding Candle Rock and get as close to the truth as we can.
No one knows for sure exactly how long Candle Rock has been standing there. According to one folktale, it has existed since the age when only gods walked the earth. For this reason, it was once revered as a sacred object. It was named Candle Rock much later, and indeed, its slender shape and the form of its tip do resemble a flame.
Located about 500 meters off the coast of Toyohama Town, Candle Rock towers over 40 meters high. Seeing it in person, one can certainly feel a divine, solitary presence. However, it didn't always look this way. A photograph taken in 1928 shows that it was once about twice as thick as it is today.
Candle Rock is actually made of a substance called hyaloclastite, which is formed when lava cools in water, making it extremely fragile. Because of this, a vertical crack formed during the 1940 Shakotan Peninsula Offshore Earthquake, and one side of the crack collapsed in another earthquake the following year.
It was after 1958 that Candle Rock began to attract attention. When the national highway opened, more people from outside the local area began to pass by, and it gained popularity as a tourist spot. Furthermore, a photograph capturing the moment the morning sun rests perfectly on top of Candle Rock became a hot topic, as it looks just like a lit candle.
The best time to capture this photo is said to be from mid to late May and from late July to early August. The shooting spot is on the beach of Jonai Fishing Port, located between the Takinoma Tunnel and the Toyohama Tunnel on National Route 229.
The conditions are quite specific, but if you're interested, why not give it a try? Above all, the sight of Candle Rock living up to its name will surely be etched deeply in your memory, along with a wonderful photograph.
＜Special Thanks＞
Yoichi Tourism Association
Address: 8-chome-4 Kurokawa-cho, Yoichi-cho, Yoichi-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0135-22-4115
Official Website: https://www.yoichi-kankoukyoukai.com
No one knows for sure exactly how long Candle Rock has been standing there. According to one folktale, it has existed since the age when only gods walked the earth. For this reason, it was once revered as a sacred object. It was named Candle Rock much later, and indeed, its slender shape and the form of its tip do resemble a flame.
Located about 500 meters off the coast of Toyohama Town, Candle Rock towers over 40 meters high. Seeing it in person, one can certainly feel a divine, solitary presence. However, it didn't always look this way. A photograph taken in 1928 shows that it was once about twice as thick as it is today.
Candle Rock is actually made of a substance called hyaloclastite, which is formed when lava cools in water, making it extremely fragile. Because of this, a vertical crack formed during the 1940 Shakotan Peninsula Offshore Earthquake, and one side of the crack collapsed in another earthquake the following year.
It was after 1958 that Candle Rock began to attract attention. When the national highway opened, more people from outside the local area began to pass by, and it gained popularity as a tourist spot. Furthermore, a photograph capturing the moment the morning sun rests perfectly on top of Candle Rock became a hot topic, as it looks just like a lit candle.
(Photo courtesy of Yoichi Tourism Association)
The best time to capture this photo is said to be from mid to late May and from late July to early August. The shooting spot is on the beach of Jonai Fishing Port, located between the Takinoma Tunnel and the Toyohama Tunnel on National Route 229.
The conditions are quite specific, but if you're interested, why not give it a try? Above all, the sight of Candle Rock living up to its name will surely be etched deeply in your memory, along with a wonderful photograph.
＜Special Thanks＞
Yoichi Tourism Association
Address: 8-chome-4 Kurokawa-cho, Yoichi-cho, Yoichi-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0135-22-4115
Official Website: https://www.yoichi-kankoukyoukai.com
Writer's Profile
Hokkaido Tourism Camera-Writer
Team Buchineko
We are "Team Buchineko," with many connections to tourist spots and facilities in Hokkaido. Even things that seem ordinary to us living in Hokkaido are wonderful resources. We will continue to share the charm of this amazing prefecture.
