Saru-iwa

長崎県

4.3

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

Japanese Odd Rock Scenery "Saru-iwa" More Monkey Than Expected!

A natural wonder created by nature! It stands at a surprising height of 45m at the tip of the Kurosaki Peninsula and is a popular photo spot that symbolizes Iki. In the evening, you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset seen through the Saru-iwa!! There is also a souvenir shop nearby that sells original goods.

Features & How to Enjoy

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Highlights

Point 1

Giant Monkey Rock, Reaching 45 Meters in Height!

The biggest attraction of "Saru-iwa" is undoubtedly this unique rock formation that looks just like a monkey's profile! This huge, 45-meter tall rock was not made by human hands, but rather was created by nature over a long period of time through erosion. In 2015, it was even selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Unique Rock Formations," making it a rare sight throughout the country! Let's take a close look at the magnificent natural beauty of this grand-scale rock formation!

Point 2

Stage of the Birth Myth of Iki Island!

Saruiwa, also known as Monkey Rock, is known as the stage for a legendary myth! According to the myth of the birth of Iki Island, the island was once called the "living island" and was thought to move on its own. To prevent it from moving on its own, the gods are said to have erected eight pillars and tied them together, and one of these "Eight Pillars" is said to be here at Saruiwa. Although some of the "Eight Pillars" have broken, some still exist in various places as "Broken Pillars," so if you're curious, be sure to look it up!

Point 3

Enjoy a Beautiful Sunset View!

While visiting during the day is also nice, it's recommended to visit Saruiwa during the sunset hours! This is because Saruiwa is located on the west side of the island, making it a popular spot to view the beautiful sunset. The scenery of the black silhouette of Saruiwa against the orange gradient backdrop is so beautiful that you might get lost in its beauty! If you take a photo, you can capture a wonderful shot that will look great on social media!

Point 4

View Saruiwa from the Sea by Boat!

画像引用：ながさき旅ネット

Off the coast of Saruiwa, there is a cruise course where you can ride a pleasure boat with a capacity of six people and view the backside of Saruiwa from the sea. The backside of the rock has a slightly different expression from the monkey face seen from the island, and you can look up at the powerful rock from below on the sea! The boarding point is at "Ugappa Sea Station" and departs only twice a day at 11:00 and 13:00. Whether you can ride or not depends on the weather and rough waves, so it's a matter of luck! Why not incorporate it into your family trip or date plan?

Point 5

Find Souvenirs at "Saru no Kagoya"!

画像引用：【公式】壱岐観光ナビ

At the Saruiwa parking lot, there is a "Saru no Kagoya" shop where you can find souvenirs before heading home. In addition to seafood and sweets, there are also retro items and original products that can only be found here, making it exciting just to look around! You can also buy ice cream on the spot, making it a recommended break time after sightseeing. The point is that you can easily stop by before getting in the car!

Access

Access in about 20 minutes by rental car from "Gonoura Port"!

First, let's talk about access to Iki Island from Kyushu. There are routes such as taking a ferry or high-speed boat from "Hakata Port" in Fukuoka Prefecture to "Gonoura Port" in Iki Island, or taking a plane from "Nagasaki Airport" in Nagasaki Prefecture to "Iki Airport". Once you arrive on the island, it's convenient to rent a car. It takes about 20 minutes by car from "Gonoura Port" and about 30 minutes from "Iki Airport" to arrive at "Saruiwa". There is also a free parking lot that can accommodate about 20 cars at Saruiwa, making it convenient. Please choose the method that suits you best by comparing the required time and cost of each access option.

Basic Information

	Address	Gonoura-cho Shinden-fure, Iki-shi, Nagasaki 811-5103, Japan.
	Business Hours	Open 24 hours on Monday, open 24 hours on Tuesday, open 24 hours on Wednesday, open 24 hours on Thursday, open 24 hours on Friday, open 24 hours on Saturday, open 24 hours on Sunday.
	TEL	0920-48-1130
	Web Site	https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Attraction_Review-g1022847-d1424848-Reviews-Saruiwa-Iki_Nagasaki_Prefecture_Kyushu.html