Visit HYOGO

The Stone Treasure Hall in Oushiko Jinja Shrine, where the shrine’s main deity is worshipped, is counted as one the Nihon Sanki, the “three great miracles of Japan,” along with Miyazaki Prefecture’s “Ama no sakahoko” (the upturned halberd of heaven) and Miyagi Prefecture’s “Shiogama” salt-making pots; it is a power spot surrounded by mysteries. The huge rock, estimated to weigh 500 tons, seems to be floating on the surface of the water, so it is also known as the Ukiishi, meaning “floating rock.” It was carved by human hands, but by whom, for what purpose, and why it was created are questions as yet unanswered.

Seeing the power of this stone from up close is the best part, but we also recommend observing it from the road leading to the mountaintop park on the mountain behind the main shrine building, where you can appreciate the Stone Treasure Hall in its entirety and see it from a different angle. In the shrine grounds, you’ll also find a sacred rock said to be part of the Stone Treasure Hall; legend has it that pushing this rock with force and then brushing the hand that you used over a weak part of your own body will help it.