[Ganbou-iwa Rock in Engaru] Huge Rock Has Various Legend and Rumor

Ganbou-iwa Rock

Ganbou-iwa Rock (がんぼう岩) is a huge monolith in Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park (太陽の丘えんがる公園), Engaru town located in the northwestern part of Kitami city, and was born by volcanic explosion about 7,300,000 years ago. The Ganbou means "A place with with a fine view" in Ainu language, and the Engaru is derived from it. A legend credits a place that Tokachi Ainu (十勝アイヌ) fought against Yubetsu Ainu (湧別アイヌ) in Ainu period. Its height is 78 m, and it was used as a watch-place. For the form outstanding conspicuously, it has became a symbol of Engaru.

Movie of Ganbou-iwa Rock

Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park

Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park (太陽の丘えんがる公園) is a park near Engaru Station in the center of Engaru town located in the northwestern part of Kitami city. Cosmos Garden (コスモス園), Moss Pink Garden (シバザクラ園), Ganbou-iwa Rock (がんぼう岩), Miharashi Ranch (見晴らし牧場), Niji-no-Hiroba Administrative Building (虹のひろば管理棟), Hyotan Pond (ひょうたん池), Bunka Trainig House (文化研修館) and Sun HIll House (サンヒルハウス) are in the site. In the park, the moss pink, cherry blossoms, azaleas, tulips can be savored in a spring, and the cosmos can be enjoyed in an autumn. Especially, the Cosmos Garden is one of popular tourist attractions in Eastern Hokkaido, and is one of the largest cosmos gardens in Japan that a lot of tourists come. In addition, it is said that the moss pink garden is one of 3 major moss pink gardens in Okhotsk area along with Higashimokoto and Takinoue. Read More

The Engaru is a birth place of Mr. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (安彦良和), a famous Japanese animator, that is well-known for Mobile Suit Gundam (機動戦士ガンダム), and the rumor said that the Gundam originates from the Ganbou-iwa Rock. Listening to it, I started to realize the rock is like the Gundam. By the way, the rock is famous as a suicide spot, and is well-known as a haunted place, too. The rumor said that a ghost picture was printed on a poster of a local credit association. I do not know if it of true, and the symbol has various rumors.

An express bus "Kosoku Engaru-go (高速えんがる号)" runs between the Sapporo and the Engaru.

List of Means of Transportation

An express bus "Engaru-go (えんがる号)" runs between the Sapporo and the Engaru. Refer to following the means of the transportation. As for car rental comparison websites, you can compare vehicle rental prices on Tabi-Plaza Rental Car Reservation (旅ぷらざレンタカー予約), Jalan Rental Car (じゃらんレンタカー) and Rakutem Travel Rental Car (楽天トラベルレンタカー).

Chuo Bus(中央バス)	From Sapporo to Engaru	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Chuo Bus(中央バス)	From Engaru to Sapporo	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Toyota Rental Lease(トヨタレンタリース)	Their office is near the Engaru Station.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Ones Rent-a-car(ワンズレンタカー)	Their office is near Coop Sapporo Engaru Minami Branch.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Carsta Rent-a-car(カースタレンタカー)	Their office is near Coop Sapporo Engaru Minami Branch.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten

Top of Ganbou-iwa Rock

A parking lot is provided near the top of the rock. It takes about 5 minutes from there to the top on foot. But, please watch your step because a path is rough. There are a gazebo and an astronomical observatory(?) on the top, and it is popular for viewing the Engaru. However, there are no safety facilities entirely. Please ensure your safety at your own risk. Be careful not to fall out! Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge.

Atmosphere of Ganbou-iwa Rock Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Ganbou-iwa Rock

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations in the Engaru.

Engaru

Hotel Sunshine(ホテルサンシャイン)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Takahashi Inn(ビジネスホテルタカハシイン)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Takahashi(ビジネスホテルタカハシ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Izumi(ビジネスホテル泉)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Matsuya Ryokan(まつや旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Wakaba Ryokan(若葉旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Ikutahara Onsen

Hotel North King(ホテルノースキング)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Maruseppu Onsen

Maure Villa(マウレ山荘)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Auto Camping Ground(オートキャンプ場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten