Kyoseki Park

Kyoseki Park in Yamato, Saga City, is a natural park where seventeen giant stones are scattered across the slopes of Shimoda mountain. Some stones exceed ten meters in height, and the sight of the cluster spreading through the mountains at an elevation of roughly two hundred to three hundred fifty meters preserves traces of ancient rock worship, in which people revered the stones themselves as gods. Though not heavily promoted as a tourist site, this cluster of giant stones standing quietly in the mountains has long been cherished as a little known power spot.

Highlights

• A variety of distinctive giant stones with names such as Eboshi Rock and Frog Rock, each with its own legend.
• Two small waterfalls, Ishigami Falls and Eboshi no Shizuku, along the trail that circles the stones.
• Views from the heights overlooking Kawakami Gorge, with the Saga plain spreading out among green mountains.

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring greenery and autumn colors dress the giant stones, making the contrast of rock and forest beautiful. In summer the shade is cool, and the breeze flowing between the stones feels pleasant. Throughout the year you can savor the mystery of the giant stones along with a quiet mountain walk.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Umeno, Yamato, Saga City, Saga Prefecture
• Access is easiest by car, with parking at the entrance (a parking fee of a few hundred yen for a standard car).
• Entry to the park is free. It is generally open from around 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (entry to the giant stone trail until 4 p.m.), and closes on rainy days.
• From the entrance with parking, it is about a twenty minute climb to the giant stones. The route is a mountain path, so come in sturdy shoes.

Practical Travel Notes

• The best seasons are spring with fresh greenery and autumn with colored leaves. In summer the shade is cool and suited to a mountain walk.
• Allow about one to one and a half hours to stroll once around the giant stones. Since the route has ups and downs, bring water and take it at a comfortable pace.
• Entry to the giant stone trail closes at 4 p.m., so set out with time to spare.
• Nearby lies Kawakami Gorge, and it is popular to combine the visit with hot springs and riverside scenery.

A Quick Tip

The loop around the giant stones has ups and downs. Bring water and take it at a comfortable pace. Because there is a cutoff time for entry in the afternoon, aiming to arrive in the morning is reassuring.

📚 Sources

This article is edited based on tourism information and operator disclosures for Yamato-cho in Saga City and Kyoseki Park, and regional materials on the Kawakami Gorge. Operations such as opening hours, parking fees, and rainy-day closures may change, so please confirm with the official information of Kyoseki Park before visiting. The legends of each megalith related to iwakura (sacred-rock) worship are based on the park's guidance and regional materials.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About one to 1.5 hours for the loop walk among the megaliths; the terrain undulates, so go at an easy pace
• What to bring: It is about a 20-minute uphill walk on a mountain path from the parking area to the megaliths, so bring comfortable shoes and water; entry is free but parking costs a few hundred yen for a standard car
• Suggested route: Climb from the entrance parking and tour the named megaliths such as Eboshi-iwa and Kaeru-ishi, the small Ishigami and Eboshi-no-Shizuku falls, and the lookout over the Kawakami Gorge; combine with the nearby gorge
• Timing: Entry to the megalith trail ends at 4 p.m., so aim to arrive in the morning