Innojofuta: “Wild Dogs,” Eyeglass Rock, and Humpback Whales
This section of coast is part of the Amami Gunto National Park, which stretches across much of the Amami Islands. The first kanji character of Innojofuta, meaning “dog,” was once thought to come from a pack of wild canines that prowled the area, but that story is now considered unfounded. The true origins of the name are unknown.
The cliffs here were formed between 1 and 1.5 million years ago by a seismic upheaval that thrust a limestone reef up from the earth. Over time, the erosion from wind and rain has sculpted the cliff faces into unusual shapes and jagged protrusions.
Megane-iwa, or “Eyeglass Rock,” is a set of two joined sea arches in the cliff face, which resemble a pair of spectacles and provide a perfectly framed view of the East China Sea, particularly striking at sunset. Kinoko-iwa, or “Mushroom Rocks,” is a series of formations at the shoreline that appears to have sprouted from the sand. Waves have eroded their lower sections, leaving bulbous, grassy tops. Concrete paths lead to these and other rock formations, but please be aware that some of the steps are relatively steep and can be challenging.
This area is known for sightings of humpback whales, particularly between January and March.