Tō-no-Hetsuri, Natural monument cliff in Shimogo, Japan.
Tō-no-Hetsuri is a cliff along the Agano River in Shimogo, designated as a Natural Monument of Japan. The rock walls stretch beside the water and display layers of volcanic stone with deep grooves and hollows.
Volcanic activity during the Pleistocene formed the rock layers visible today. Over thousands of years, the river shaped the walls and created the forms seen now.
Local speech patterns around Aizu gave this cliff its name, with "hetsuri" describing the way rock walls rise sharply from riversides. Villagers still use the word when talking about similar formations nearby.
The train station Tō-no-Hetsuri sits nearby, and a short path leads from there to viewing spots by the river. Sturdy footwear helps when walking the trails along the rock formations.
Some sections of rock hold Buddhist statues placed in small niches. Visitors reach a few of them by walking narrow wooden walkways built against the cliff face.
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