
- October 18th, 2014
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- EasternArea
[Ganbou-iwa Rock in Engaru] Huge Rock Has Various Legend and Rumor
CONTENTS
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 direction 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 direction 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.
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An express bus "Kosoku Engaru-go (高速えんがる号)" runs between the Sapporo and the Engaru.
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
Admission | Free of charge |
---|---|
Parking lot | A pay parking lot is provided (10 cars). |
Business hours | Open 24 hours. Climbing at night is dangerous. |
Regular closing day | Open year all round |
Telephone number | +81-158-42-4819 |
Home page | Home page is here |
Mapcode | 404 182 573*21 |
List of Accommodations
Refer to following websites for the accommodations in the Engaru.
ENGARU
SETOSE ONSEN
IKUTAHARA
IKUTAHARA ONSEN
MARUSEPPU
MARUSEPPU ONSEN
SHIRATAKI
By the way, Club Tourism (クラブツーリズム), a Japanese tour travel agency, provides various types of tours such as day trip tours or ordinary tours. In the case of bus tours, tourists do not drive their cars themselves, so they can savor alcohol. Choosen tourist attractions are national parks such as Rishiri and Rebun, Shiretoko, and popular tourist places such as Furano and Biei, and some activities such as hiking and fruit picking are also enjoyed depending on seasons. If you are interested in tour trips, you should visit the club tourism's website for details.
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ご指摘ありがとうございます!
>アイヌ語で「見晴らしの良い所」を意味し、遠軽町の語源にもなっています。
これは瞰望岩のアイヌ語名「インカルシ」についての説明ですね。