Viewing Ichimai-iwa in Kozagawa Town While Savoring Game Meat and Yuzu | A Mountain Village Local Gourmet Detour Notebook

Ichimai-iwa in Kozagawa Town: A View Meant to Be Looked Up At

Kozagawa Town spreads out in the southeastern part of Wakayama Prefecture, just north of Kushimoto Town. As you drive along the clear-flowing Koza River, a massive rock wall suddenly appears in the mountains. This is Ichimai-iwa (literally, "One-Slab Rock"). Designated a National Natural Monument, it is known for its enormous scale as a single mass of stone.

Standing before it in person is far more powerful than any photograph. Looking up, your neck will ache from the sheer size, and the contrast between the patterns on the rock face and the calm river flowing in front will stop you in your tracks.

Tips for Taking in the View

• Its expression changes with the time of day: Soft light in the morning, and shadows that play across the rock face in the evening—the impression changes dramatically.
• Take your time: Even for a short stay, simply parking the car and taking a deep breath makes the trip feel much more rewarding.
• Mind the weather: After rain, the river's water level and footing may change, so enjoy the view within your comfort zone.

Why Kozagawa's Gibier Is Called "The Taste of the Mountain Village"

In deep-mountain regions like Kozagawa Town, crop damage caused by deer and wild boar has long been a challenge. In response, initiatives to use the lives of captured animals as local food ingredients—gibier—have spread throughout the area.

There's no need to brace yourself with worries like "gibier has too strong a flavor." When carefully processed and cooked, the rich umami of the lean meat comes through clearly and feels light and easy to eat. It is often prepared in approachable dishes like curry, croquettes, and sausages, making it easy to try for the first time.

*Please note that the shops offering these dishes, the products, and the seasons they are available may change. Be sure to check the latest information before visiting.

Rounding Off Local Gourmet with the Scent of Yuzu

Kozagawa Town is also well known as a yuzu-producing region. From autumn into winter, the yellow fruit adds color to the mountain village landscape.

Yuzu is prized not only for its juice but also for the aroma of its peel. With a wide variety of processed products—yuzu kosho (yuzu chili paste), ponzu, jam, juice, and sweets—it's also a great choice for souvenirs.

Gibier and Yuzu Make a Great Pair

Adding yuzu's fragrance to gibier dishes helps the lean meat taste refreshingly light. Enjoyed with ponzu, or with a dab of yuzu kosho on the side, the combination of "the boldness of meat plus the freshness of citrus" is one you can only find in a mountain village.

A Half-Day Detour Itinerary

1. Morning: Drive along the Koza River to Ichimai-iwa. Allow about 30 minutes to an hour for photos and a stroll.
2. Lunch: Look for a meal featuring gibier or yuzu in town or the surrounding area.
3. Afternoon: Pick up yuzu products as souvenirs at a roadside station (michi-no-eki) or direct-from-farm shop, then head back toward Kushimoto.

Since some spots are difficult to reach by public transport alone, traveling by car is recommended. Sunset feels early on mountain roads, so try to plan your activities while it's still light out.

Summary

Kozagawa Town is filled with the hidden charms of southern Kumano—the grand scenery of Ichimai-iwa, the mountain's bounty of gibier, and fragrant yuzu—offering a complete experience of "seeing, eating, and taking home." Combine it with the Kumano Kodo or the sea at Kushimoto for a different kind of trip to the mountain villages of Nanki.

Image: 和歌山フォトライブラリー (via 和歌山フォトライブラリー)