Places near me Random place
All Japan Kumejima-chō Tatami-ishi (Tatami Rocks)

Tatami-ishi (Tatami Rocks)

Unusual hexagonal rocks formed by cooling lava named for their resemblance to traditional Japanese tatami mats.

Kumejima-chō, Japan

Added By
pokipaul
  pokipaul / Atlas Obscura User
  pokipaul / Atlas Obscura User
  pokipaul / Atlas Obscura User
  pokipaul / Atlas Obscura User
  pokipaul / Atlas Obscura User
  pokipaul / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

Tatami-ishi 畳石 (Tatami-Rocks) is a Nationally Designated Natural Monument located on the south coast of Oujima 奥武島 (Ou Island).

These pentagonal and hexagonal shaped rocks, formed by andesite magma cooled under a geological process called columnar jointing, are called Tatami-Rocks because of the resemblance to the tatami mats of traditional Japanese home design.

Water erosion has leveled and smoothed the tops of the rock structures.

Related Tags

Rock Formations Geological Oddities Geology

Know Before You Go

Check daily tide charts, best viewed at low tide.

A bridge connects Oujima to Kumejima.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

pokipaul

Edited By

mrarfarf

Published

March 13, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 110

Related Places

  • A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.

    Malpe, India

    Thonsepar

    These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations.

  • The winding curves of Ybykty Canyon.

    Koyulus, Kazakhstan

    Ybykty Canyon

    This small canyon is home to a treasure trove of geological oddities.

  • Pyramids of Euseigne

    Hérémence, Switzerland

    Pyramides d'Euseigne

    These spindly, stone-capped formations are the product of glacial deposits and thousands of years of erosion.

  • Colorful sandstone cliff just west of the Colorock Quarry.

    Moapa Valley, Nevada

    Buffington Pockets

    The rocks exposed at Valley of Fire State Park also occur in a much less known but equally spectacular area a few miles to the southwest.

  •

    Grampian, Pennsylvania

    Bilger's Rocks

    Rocky outcrops containing overhangs, caves, fissures, clefts, and alcoves that invite exploration and scrambling.

  • Northern face of the Deakin Anticline

    Deakin, Australia

    Deakin Anticline

    This fascinating and unusual geological formation dominates a suburb of Canberra.

  • Mexican Hat

    Mexican Hat, Utah

    Mexican Hat

    This balancing rock is one of Utah's most unusual geological formations.

  •

    Mortana, Australia

    Murphy’s Haystacks

    These oddly shaped pink granite formations got their name after being mistaken for massive piles of hay.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member