Muroiwado, Stone quarry in Matsuzaki, Japan.
Muroiwado is a stone quarry on the Izu Peninsula where workers extracted volcanic stone from underground tunnels for centuries. The site consists of multiple corridors carved into rock, clearly revealing the geological layers that formed the surrounding landscape.
During the Edo period, workers quarried large amounts of Izu Stone here to build the fortress walls of Edo Castle. This stone was essential for constructing one of Japan's most important strongholds.
The site reflects traditional stone extraction methods that Japanese workers developed and refined over many generations. Visitors can observe how miners shaped and moved massive blocks using hand tools and ingenious techniques passed down through families.
The tunnels are accessible to visitors and equipped with electric lighting that lets you see the carved passages and rock formations clearly. Wear shoes with good traction since the stone floors can be wet and slippery in places.
The walls display clear layers of submarine volcanic material that compressed into solid tuff rock over millions of years. These geological layers tell the story of an ancient seafloor that has become visible in the landscape today.
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