Oshitoishi Hill 押戸石- Minami Oguni
Oshitoishi has the reputation of a powerspot, a group of mysterious standing stones situated on a hill on the pyroclastic flows above the northern caldera edge of the giant Aso caldera. On top of the grassy hillside there is a mysterious line of rocks. The largest is over 10 metres high。
The name Oshitoishi 押戸石 can be translated as push door rock, why it’s called Push door rock no one knows
Oshitoishi Hill Access Information
- 200 Yen (11 years and under are free)
- Large free car park
- 09:00 to 17:00
- Portaloo Toilets and indoor rest area
Oshitoishi is open all year round, however in the winter the road may not be passable due to snow.
Getting to Oshitoishi Hill
Oshitoishi cannot be reached by public transport.
Bicycles can be rented from Aso station, from there it would be a very scenic but hilly 20km ride, electric bicycles are available.
Oshitoishi drive times:
Aso Station - 35 mins
Kurokawa Onsen - 25 mins
Kumamoto City - 1 hr 30 mins
Nakadake volcano, Mt Aso - 1 hr 10 mins
How to get to Oshitoishi Hill by car
Oshitoishi is situated between the northern caldera edge of Aso and Oguni town. Turn off the Milkroad near Daikanbo and head towards Oguni. After 2 or 3 km you will come to a turn off on your left to the Mystery Road (Nobody knows why it’s called the Mystery road…). There is a small very inconspicuous sign in Japanese 押戸石, but if you can read katakana you might also notice a larger sign saying Power spot パワースポット. Follow the Mystery Road until you come to a bridge, in the winter there will be a barrier across the road here as the mystery road is closed in the winter. (Nobody knows why the Mystery road is closed in winter…). Before the barrier turn off to your left along a narrow road follow this a couple of km, it gets quite rocky and a little bumpy and but just keep going, at the end you will get to a carpark area.
Places to visit near Oshitoishi Hill
- Daikanbo viewpoint
- Kurokawa Onsen
- Senomoto
- Mazeno Gorge
- Nishiyunoura enchi viewpoint
- Sorafune Pier
- Nabegataki Falls