TAKAMORI, Kumamoto Prefecture A local railway line wrecked by earthquakes in southwestern Japan seven years ago finally resumed full service on July 15.
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Men no ishi in Minamiaso, Kumamoto Prefecture, in November 2014 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
The village of Minamiaso in Kumamoto Prefecture is home to a hanging boulder that remained precariously balanced midair at the mouth of a cavern on Mount Gairinzan.
Because nothing seemed capable of knocking this boulder off its post, it came to be called men no ishi, meaning the stone is safe from a fall or any unfortunate outcome.
However, it did finally fall five years ago, much to the disappointment of villagers. It was dislodged by the main tremor of the Kumamoto Earthquakes of 2016. We used to promote this stone as a lucky charm for school entrance test candidates, job seekers and election candidates praying for success, said Isao Kashiwada, 80, a local hiking guide.