Tojindaba Site, Mysterious Megalithic Stones in Tosashimizu, Kochi

The Tojindaba Site, spreading across the hills behind Cape Ashizuri in Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture, is a mysterious power spot known mostly to those in the know. The area is dotted with giant stones reaching six to seven meters in height, and many stone tools and pottery fragments have been found here, showing that people lived in this place from the early Jomon period. Though it sits close to the busy Cape Ashizuri, the site is wrapped in a quiet and wondrous atmosphere.

Highlights

• The sheer power of Tojin-iwa, where giant stones six to seven meters tall are piled together
• An enormous arrangement of stones said to possibly be a stone circle
• The romance of unearthed stone tools and pottery, proof of life here since the Jomon era
• Views of the blue Pacific Ocean glimpsed between the giant stones

Enjoying the Seasons

From spring into early summer the fresh greenery is dazzling, and its contrast with the giant stones is beautiful. Summer brings cool shade beneath the trees, and in autumn you can gaze at the sea past the stones in clear, crisp air. The area is maintained as a park, so quiet strolls can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Matsuo, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture
• About a dozen minutes by car from Cape Ashizuri
• Parking available; the site is maintained as a park and free to visit
• Using Kochi Prefectural Road 348, the Camellia Road, is recommended; some roads are narrow, so drive with care
• Public transport is limited, so visiting by car is convenient

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: a sunny morning is ideal, when the sea and sky are a clear blue and the shadows of the giant stones stand out sharply.
• Time needed: about thirty minutes to an hour to walk the giant stones and the park unhurriedly; allow a little more to enjoy the views.
• Avoiding crowds: fewer people come here than to Cape Ashizuri, making it a quiet hidden gem.
• Nearby spots: Cape Ashizuri, Kongofukuji (the thirty-eighth temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage), and the Ashizuri Undersea Observatory are all within driving range, easy to combine with a Cape Ashizuri outing.
• Budget feel: viewing is free, so the main cost is transport such as fuel.

A Quick Tip

If you visit, a sunny morning is ideal. As you walk among the giant stones, imagine the scenery that ancient people may have gazed upon. Comfortable walking shoes will make your visit easier. Some sections of road are narrow, so please take great care when driving.

📚 Sources

For the Tojindaba Site (the Tojin-ishi giant stones) and the park grounds, the guidance published by the Tosashimizu City tourism association is the reliable reference. For explanations of the excavated stone tools and pottery and Jomon-period life, local historical materials and on-site signboards are also helpful. Ways to tour it together with the Cape Ashizuri area can be confirmed in the city tourism information. Parking, road conditions, and access may change, so please check official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: About 30 minutes to an hour to walk the giant stones and the park grounds slowly; allow a little more to enjoy the views.
• What to prepare: You walk within the grounds, so wear comfortable shoes. Viewing is free, and costs are mainly transport (such as fuel).
• Suggested route: View the Tojin-ishi giant stones of six to seven meters and enjoy the blue Pacific glimpsed between the boulders.
• Check transport: Public transport is scarce, so a car is convenient; parts of Prefectural Route 348 (the Camellia Road) are narrow, so drive carefully.
• Pair your visit: It sits within driving range of sights such as Cape Ashizuri and Kongofukuji.