Osarubatake no Ōkirigishi

Osarubatake no Ōkirigishi is a stone quarry and archaeological site stretching roughly 800 meters along the border between Zushi and Kamakura cities. The cliff faces range from 3 to 10 meters high, showing clear traces of how stone was extracted from the hillside.

The site was long thought to be a fortification against the Miura clan until recent excavations revealed it was actually a major stone extraction site from the Kamakura period. This discovery reshaped how historians understand the region during that era.

The name comes from a 1260 legend where monk Nichiren fled attackers by following a white monkey to this spot. Visitors today can feel this story woven into how locals speak about the place.

The site has two viewing routes: an upper path and a lower path, with the lower route showing more of the quarry's features. Wearing sturdy shoes and allowing enough time lets you explore both paths and see the site from different angles.

The Kamakura stone extracted from this quarry was essential for building projects throughout the city after the shogunate was established. Stone removed here became a key part of the city's architectural character that visitors see today.