The rock formations known as 'Devil's Washboard' are technically known as wave-cut benches created by differential erosion.
Horikiri Pass is a prominent stop on the route toward the sacred Aoshima Shrine, which also features similar geological rock formations.
The site sits on a portion of the Nichinan Coast Quasi-National Park, protected for its unique geological and coastal beauty.
Horikiri Pass is a scenic coastal viewpoint located along the Nichinan coastline in Miyazaki, Japan. The site is characterized by the 'Devil's Washboard' (Oni-no-sentaku-iwa), a series of wave-eroded rock formations caused by long-term uplift and weathering of alternating layers of sandstone and mudstone. Elevated above the Pacific Ocean, the pass offers a panoramic vista of the rugged shoreline and the blue waters of Hyuga-nada. The area features a roadside rest area equipped with observation decks designed to capture the coastal scenery. The surrounding cliffs and cliffsides host lush subtropical vegetation typical of the Miyazaki region.
The main observation deck overlooking the curve of the coastline and the rock formations below.
Visit on a clear day to see the contrast between the dark, layered rocks and the deep blue Pacific water.
Check weather reports for high wind warnings, as the exposed cliffside can become very windy.
Do not attempt to walk on the wet, slippery rock formations at the shoreline, as the surfaces are jagged and uneven.
