If you board the underwater viewing boat, Amanbō, you will be able to view the Saburō-iwa rocks up close. But even without boarding this boat, you should be able to see three strangely shaped rock formations of various sizes peeking out from the ocean. What do you think is the backstory behind them?

These three rock formations were once one larger formation. This used to be part of a small peninsula that connected to the main island we are standing on. However, over time, the elements wore down the peninsula, breaking it into three different parts. It is believed that there was once a fourth island as well. In other words, the Saburō-iwa Rocks you see before you could disappear at any moment. Neither land nor people can withstand the changes that come with time. The landscape you see before you is not always guaranteed to remain the same as it is today. The next time you find yourself at the Oki Islands, you may find the landscape has completely changed.

This doesn’t just pertain to the Saburō-iwa Rocks. The earth below you, for example, is the result of magma that erupted from a volcano and hardened. Water that has flowed through the rocks and dripped down beneath the earth can be seen gushing up from a nearby rock formation. The more you walk around, the more connections you will find with the earth around you. We hope these little discoveries will leave you excited for the rest of your journey through Oki!

Even the earth, which we see as unwavering, continues to change. Just like this landscape that is being chipped away, you will also cease to exist someday. What do you want to do with the remaining time you have? Let’s take a moment to reflect on this.