タチジャミ

Path and Waterfall

From the parking lot, a long staircase leads down to sea level. The stairs are steep, but there is a bench along the way as well. A scenic path heads west through trees and bushes, and over little streams. Along the way, you’ll see holes in the ground where burrowing crabs (Sesarmops intermedium and Uca) wait for food. If you wait carefully, you might see one of the crabs come from its hole.

About half-way down the path is a clearing with table and benches to rest. Just past the table, and up a slight incline, is a beautiful waterfall, small pool, and creek. There used to be a table here as well, but significant rains and subsequent flash flood washed most of it away. Still, it is a great place to visit and rest on the way to Tachijami Rock.

Tachijami Rock

Just past the clearing, you’ll find the main path leads to the right, and down to a wide, flat area before the ocean. The trail becomes less distinct, but the goal is obvious. Work your way past a few tide pools and streams and you’ll be presented with Tachijami Rock.

Once part of a larger cliff that pushed out towards the sea, Tachijami is a lone, slender spire of natural rock. From the side facing you, it looks quite substantial, until you get up close and see how thin it really is.

Tachijami means “standing god” and is a section of ryholite rock measuring 40 meters high, 70 meters wide, and 5 meters thick. It was formed by magma flowing and condensing in a chasm of an ancient volcano after Uegusuku Mountain erupted sometime between 22 and 27 million years ago.  Since the rocks forming the dike were harder than the surrounding volcanic rocks, its resistance to weathering and erosion has left it standing alone.