Kodai Kameishi

The Kodai Kameishi, the Ancient Turtle Stone, in Tamura City, Fukushima, is a giant stone that closely resembles a turtle. It is said to be over ten meters tall, more than fifty meters around, and to weigh several thousand tons. Legend holds that at night it walks off in search of water, giving it a mystical air as a power spot. In the quiet setting among the hills, this form shaped by nature over long ages overwhelms those who visit.

Highlights

• A natural sculpted beauty that looks like a giant turtle crouching, with the head and shell suggested from different angles.
• An overwhelming scale of over ten meters tall and over fifty meters around, a size hard to convey in photos but felt in person on site.
• A curious local legend that it walks off at night seeking water.
• A tale that a tengu once left footprints on top of the stone. Several legends around the giant stone deepen its mystical air.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the surrounding fresh greenery sets off the giant stone, and in summer it becomes a cool space wrapped in green trees. Autumn adds foliage color, with a beautiful contrast against the stone. In winter the snow-capped turtle stone shows an even quieter, more mystical face. The fresh-green season and the autumn foliage period are when the scene woven by the giant stone and surrounding nature is especially beautiful and photogenic.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Tokiwa area, Tamura City, Fukushima.
• A car is convenient because it lies among the hills. Access is via routes such as National Route 288 from the direction of Iwaki-Tokiwa Station on the JR Banetsu East Line.
• A path leads to the stone, so walking shoes are recommended.
• To capture the whole stone in a photo, view it from a little distance.
• This is a natural spot with no fee to visit. Narrow mountain roads may continue, so allow extra time when driving.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Early summer with fresh greenery and autumn with foliage are especially recommended. Bright daytime hours let you study the texture and form of the giant stone closely.
• Avoiding crowds: As a quiet giant stone with few people to begin with, you can relax at any hour, though weekdays are ideal for the calmest visit.
• Time needed: About 20 to 40 minutes to view the stone, take photos, and reflect on the legends.
• Nearby spots: The same Tokiwa area is home to the kakezukuri Isozaki Shrine, making it ideal to tour Tamura Citys giant-stone and hidden faith spots together. Sacred Mt. Otakine also rises nearby.
• Budget feel: Viewing is free. Costs are mainly transport, and with nearby walking it comes to a few hundred to a few thousand yen.

A Quick Tip

You feel the size more as you draw near, but stepping back is the trick to capture the whole form. Gazing while recalling the legend lets you enjoy the mystical mood all the more. As some footing is left in its natural state, visiting in comfortable clothes and shoes gives peace of mind.

📚 Sources

Information on the Kodai Kameishi can be confirmed through public sources from Tamura City and on-site guidance, and guidance on legends of the megalith, such as the tale that it walks off in search of water at night and the lore of a tengu's footprint on the stone, is also helpful. Given the mountain-valley location, the condition of the narrow mountain road and access can vary, so please confirm the route and on-site conditions before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 20 to 40 minutes to view the megalith, take photos, and reflect on its legends. Allow half a day combined with nearby hidden spots.
• What to bring: There is a walking path to the megalith, so comfortable shoes are recommended. To fit the whole stone in a photo, view it from a little distance. Some ground is left natural, so easy-moving clothes are wise.
• Suggested route: View the turtle-shaped megalith and reflect on its legends, then tour Tamura's megalith and hidden worship spots together with the cliff-hanging Isozaki Shrine in the same Tokiwa area. The sacred Mt. Otakine rises nearby.