Nakoso checkpoint

A famous historical location in Iwaki City. One of many ancient checkpoints which once existed in Japan, this particular checkpoint was renowned as an image in Heian period waka poetry. The area around the checkpoint has been designated Nakoso Prefectural Nature Park, and, together with the Shirakawa Barrier in Shirakawa City and Nezugaseki in Yamagata Prefecture, it is considered one of the three great checkpoints of Ohshu Province. Near the checkpoint stand monuments inscribed with waka poetry by Ono no Komachi, Minamoto no Yoshiie, and Izumi Shikibu, and a haiku by Matsuo Basho.