Giant 'Pac-Man' rock in Japan drawing climbers - Bangkok Post

A rock shaped like video game character Pac-Man in Nobeoka in Miyazaki prefecture, southwestern Japan, is popular for tourists. (Kyodo photo)

MIYAZAKI, Japan: A giant rock that resembles video game character Pac-Man is drawing climbers to a mountain in southwestern Japan, with visitors eager to capture images to share on social networks.

A 90-minute hike from the Shishigawa campground in Nobeoka, Miyazaki prefecture, takes mountain climbers and tourists to "Pac-Man Rock". The boulder, around 7 metres in diameter, lies on a trail leading to the top of 1,277-metre-high Mount Hoko.

The large opening in the lower part of the rock prompts visitors to strike funny poses, as if they are being devoured like the dots that Pac-Man eats in the video game.

The rock is located in the Sobo-Katamuki-Okue mountain range that was designated as a biosphere reserve by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization last year.

According to Masao Todaka, head of a local environmental conservation group Forest Mantoru Kamishishigawa, images of the boulder have been shared many times on social networking sites such as Instagram since the spring of last year.

The rock's popularity has kept the group busy dealing with inquiries about directions, in addition to improving roads and setting up signs.

While welcoming the increasing number of new visitors, Todaka, 64, warns people to properly equip themselves with mountain gear as a river has to be crossed to reach the rock.

"We want you to enjoy yourselves while acting responsibly as mountain climbers," Todaka said.

The video game became a huge hit in Japan and other countries after its initial release in 1980 by a predecessor of Bandai Namco Holdings.

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