OUSHIKO SHRINE

Ishi-no-Hoden: The Stone Treasure Hall

Oushiko shrine is located near the Hoden stone quarry. In Oushiko Shrine, there is an enormous stone 5.7 meters high and 6.4 meters wide. Surrounded on all sides by water, it looks as though it is floating in a pond, and is thus called the "Uki-Ishi" (floating stone). The floating stone was made about 1200 years ago, but even today, no one knows why this stone was erected, nor what it is. There are many mysteries surrounding it, and it is counted among the three wonders of Japan. The others are "Shiogama Shrine" in Miyagi prefecture and "Amano-saka-Hoko" at Mt.Kirishima in Miyazaki prefecture.