Shiraiwa
Shiraiwa, the name of the massive 20-meter-tall boulder by the shore, means “White Rock.” Its snowy top is the result of droppings of both sea cormorants and black-tailed gulls accumulating over the years. The amount of droppings varies seasonally, as birds migrate to and from the area. Like Kabushima, Shiraiwa was venerated by fishermen due to the prevalence of seabirds. Its other name is Myojin Iwa, or “Great God Rock.”
Visitors may notice the red torii gate tucked away in the forest overlooking the shore. This is Shiraiwa Jinja Shrine. The small sanctuary contains votive tablets commemorating the long journeys of pilgrims from this area to Konpira-san, a shrine in Kagawa Prefecture, and the Kumano Sanzan shrines in Wakayama Prefecture. Shiraiwa Jinja offers a clear view of the white-capped boulder.