Devil's Washboard
鬼の洗濯板
Wave-shaped rock platforms eroded by the sea from alternating layers of sandstone and mudstone, like giant washboards stretching along the Aoshima and Nichinan coasts.
The Devil's Washboard formed when layers of sandstone and mudstone, deposited on the seabed about 7 million years ago, were uplifted. The softer mudstone was eroded by the waves, leaving the harder sandstone standing as neat wave-shaped ridges. They run from Aoshima south toward Tomonoura for about 8 km and are designated a national natural monument. At low tide you can walk on the rock slabs to observe small fish and crabs in the tide pools. The rock surface is slippery with seaweed, so return early when the tide comes in. The best viewpoints are around Aoshima and the Horikiri Pass observation deck.
Opening hours
All day (best at low tide)
Nearby sights
- Aoshima Island & Aoshima Shrine
- Horikiri Pass & Michi-no-Eki Phoenix
- Kisakihama Beach
- Sun Messe Nichinan
- Miyazaki Jingu
- Udo Jingu Shrine
- Heiwadai Park
- Obi Castle Town