Tojinbo Cliffs 東尋坊
Rock Rarity
For more than a kilometer stretch the cliffs of Tojinbo. Sculpted by the waves and erosion for 13 million years, they are made of a very rare rock, which can only be found in two other places in the world.
If we omit the small voice in the loudspeaker speaking in Japanese and the directional signs covered with hiraganas, we could imagine ourselves on the wild coast of Brittany . The high and rough cliffs fall steeply into a sea whose waves slam against the rock walls.
However, the cliffs of Tojinbo are far from Finistère. It is in the city of Sakai, located in the prefecture of Fukui, that these rocks were formed 12 to 13 million years ago due to strong volcanic activity in the region.
GRAPHIC CLIFFS
These steep cliffs with almost geometric shapes have been shaped by waves and storms , giving them a very graphic character. But also a very impressive dimension since their summit culminates at 20 meters high . Another point that makes these basalt cliffs a small Japanese gem: their rock is very special and above all very rare, since it is only found in two other places on the planet .
Stretching over a kilometer, the cliffs of Tojinbo are well known as a vantage point of the Sea of Japan , but also a perfect spot to admire the sun setting on the horizon. It is also possible to do a mini hike on a 4 kilometer path , (like a sort of "customs path" if we were to push the Breton comparison to the end) which runs along the cliffs but also the coast, from which we can observe the cliffs with a little more distance.
However, remember to equip yourself well in terms of shoes, especially if the weather is rainy. It is possible to climb the cliffs , and the very uneven rocks can sometimes be slippery. It is also possible to take a short boat trip , just to go and observe the cliffs from the sea and see how much they give it a raw and graphic side.
TOJINBO LEGENDS
As so often in Japan, the places are surrounded by legends . The cliffs of Tojinbo and the wild atmosphere that reign there are no exception to the rule. A Buddhist priest reportedly angered the local people so much that he was thrown from the top of the Tojinbo Cliffs . His ghost is said to still haunt the region today, causing regular storms.
Another legend would have it that the name of Tojinbo comes from a Buddhist monk who, hated by all, fell in love with Princess Aya. Duped by another suitor of the princess, the monk Tojinbo was pushed from the top of the cliffs . His vengeful spirit would have come to haunt the cliffs every year at a specific time, when very often the elements were unleashed. It wasn't until a priest held a service in Tojinbo's memory that the storms ceased.
The cliffs of Tojinbo are therefore worth the visit, and even if it rains, do not hesitate to go there, the atmosphere is even more mysterious .
