Killing Stone

Killing Stone is a rocky, desolate landscape that is also known as a historical site where the legend of the nine-tailed fox remains.

This lava flow near Nasu Yumoto Onsen (hot spring) creates a unique atmosphere with the smell of sulfur surrounding the area.

This place is known as the place where the nine-tailed fox, disguised as the immensely beautiful “Tamamo no Mae,” approached the Emperor Toba, but fled when her true identity was discovered.

It is said that the exterminated fox turned into a stone and its grudge became poisonous and kept killing people, livestock, birds, and animals that approached it.

The stone is also said to have continued to kill people, livestock, birds, and animals that came close to it, and it has been known since ancient times as “the stone of death,” as it is said to kill birds and animals that come near it.

Basho Matsuo also visited this site, and there is a well-maintained promenade where visitors can take a stroll.

The well-maintained promenade leads to the Nasu Plateau Observatory, and since it is close to Nasu Yumoto Onsen, it is a popular stopover when visiting the hot spring resort area.

However, be careful not to be exposed to this odor, especially small children.

There is also a day spa nearby that is the source of Nasu Yumoto Onsen, so be sure to stop by when you visit.

In May, a fire festival called Gojinkasai is held. Highlights of the festival include a torchlight procession from the Nasu Onsen Shrine, the “Kitsune-no-Yomeiri,” a Shinto wedding ceremony performed by an actual couple, and the dedication of nine-tailed drums.

Best time to view the autumn foliage in Nasu Highlands (approximate)

Chausudake: Late September to early October
Ubagadaira: Late September to early October
Asahidake: Late September to early October
Near Nasu Ropeway: Early to mid-October
Komadome Falls: Mid-October
Nasu Koshi Road: Mid-October
Tsutsuji suspension bridge: mid-October
Kakuseishi: Mid to late October
Yumoto Onsen (hot spring) area (Nasu Hot Spring Resort): Mid to late October
The above is an introduction to the facilities of Sesshoseki.

Sesshoseki is a lava field located in Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture. Volcanic gases erupt in this area, and it has long been known that birds and animals are killed by the gases. In Buddhism, the word “kill” is one of the Five Precepts and means “to deprive of life.

It is well known that Matsuo Basho visited this area in his “Okunohosomichi” (The Road to the Deep North), and it is also a designated national scenic spot. However, according to legend, there are several stones throughout Japan that are said to have originated from this stone, some of which are called “killing stones.

Some literature also claims that there are stones called “killing stones” in places where volcanic gases erupt, similar to the killing stone in Nasu. However, the term “killing stones” generally refers to the Nasu killing stones.

In this area, toxic volcanic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfurous gases are constantly erupted, and it has long been known as the “killing stone,” which kills birds and animals if they come near it. Matsuo Basho also visited the area and wrote, “The scent of the stone, the summer grass red, the dew hot.

Today, this area is known as the “Kakusei-ishi Park” and is a popular tourist attraction for many visitors. However, entry is restricted during times of high gas emissions.

A stone with a mysterious legend in a desolate area

On March 5, 2022, it was confirmed that the killing stone was broken in two. Since cracks had been found for several years, the town of Nasu stated that there is a high possibility that the stone broke naturally.

Also, on December 7, 2022, the carcasses of eight wild boars (three adults and five juveniles) were found near the killing stones. Previously, raccoon dog and fox carcasses had been found, but this was the first time a wild boar had been found. Regarding the toxicity of the gas, there is generally no problem as long as humans do not approach the area, but caution should be exercised if young children or pets are in the area. Signs have long been posted in the community to alert people to the danger.

Mikami Fire Festival

The Goshinkasai (fire festival) is held every May by the Nasu Town Tourist Association as a prayer to calm the active volcano of Chausudake (Mt. Nasu). In this festival, a torchlight procession of 100 people dressed in white with fox masks and face paint gathers at the Nasu Onsen Shrine to light a fire called “Muma Jigoku no Hi” (the fire of hell) and descends to the Kakuseki stone. After the ritual, a large torch, “Goshin’i”, about 5 meters high, set up near the Kakusei-ishi, will be ignited. In addition, white-faced, golden-haired nine-tailed fox drums will be performed in front of the Kakusei-ishi.

Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox

Legend has it that Tamamomae, a beautiful woman favored by Emperor Toba, was an incarnation of the nine-tailed fox (yokko). She was discovered by the yin-yang master Yasunari Abe and fled to the East. The fox was hunted down by Kaminosuke Hirotsune and Miurasuke Yoshizumi, and after being exterminated, the fox is said to have transformed into a stone. However, the stone emitted poison and continued to kill people and other creatures, and thus came to be known as the “killing stone. It is said that the stone was destroyed by monk Gen’o in 1385, and its fragments were scattered across the country.

The pieces of the killing stone are said to have been scattered to three locations named “Takada” in various parts of Japan (various theories exist). It is generally believed that they were scattered in one of the following places: Takada in Mimasaka Province (present-day Katsuyama, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture), Takada in Echigo Province (present-day Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture), Takada in Aki Province (present-day Aki Takada City, Hiroshima Prefecture), Takada in Bungo Province (present-day Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture), and Aizu Takada (present-day Aizu Misato Town, Fukushima Prefecture).

There is also a tradition that the fragments were scattered in places other than “Takata,” and are said to have become burdock seeds in Hida, dog gods in Shikoku, and osaki in Ueno Province.