Onigajo, Kumano

Onigajo is a coastal scenic spot in Kimoto-cho, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture. It is part of the national scenic beauty spots.

Numerous sea caves, large and small, carved by the rough waves of the Kumano-nada Sea, are lined up in a staircase due to upheaval caused by earthquakes, and continue for about 1.2 km facing the Kumano-nada Sea. This is the southernmost point of the rias coastline that continues from the Shima Peninsula, and south of this point the coast turns into a gently sloping sandy beach. Cherry trees are planted along the hiking trail leading from the east entrance to the top of the mountain, and in spring, four different types of cherry trees bloom one after another, making cherry blossom viewing enjoyable for a long period of time.

In 1935, it was designated as a national natural monument, and in 1958, Shishi-gan was additionally designated as a scenic beauty and natural monument "Kumano no Onike-jo: Shishi-gan". It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". It is also selected as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan.