Japan's Kyushu: Takachiho Gorge - Travel Report
Apr 22nd, 2017, 08:26 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Japan's Kyushu: Takachiho Gorge - Travel Report
I am not sure if you have heard of this place before. But if you ever visit the beautiful Kyushu in Japan, maybe you could consider adding this place into your itinerary – the Takachiho Gorge.
My friends and I were planning our trips to Kyushu and when I saw a picture of the waterfall, I immediately included this place in my itinerary. The Gorge is located in the Miyazaki prefecture – where is mostly known for its beautiful beaches and good surfing spots, Takachiho is nestled high in the northwest, safely guarded by the mountains. Takachiho Gorge is a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. The peculiar sheer cliffs lining of the gorge was owing to the volcanic basalt columns form over a very long time. According to the locals, the surfaces of the cliffs look like scales of a dragon where the stone twisted and flowed along the river. Another awesome sight of the gorge is a 17-meter high Minainotaki Waterfall that was cascading down to the river in the middle of the gorge. It is impressive to witness the waterfall running on a backdrop of dense green foliage and dramatic gray cliffs.
We drove from Mount Aso early in the morning and it took about 2 hours to reach Takachiho Gorge. There are two ways to enjoy the fantastic view of the gorge. First, we got out of the car and had a great view overlooking the cliffs and river from above. The walking trails were well paved and run along the edge of the gorge. There were numerous viewpoints where tourists could stop and take beautiful pictures. At the end of the trail, we took a rest in a Japanese tea drinking shop located on the top the cliffs to enjoy some tea, udon, and a fantastic view of the gorge from afar. Then, we walked down the staircase at the south end of the gorge where we could rent a boat and row through the gorge. The water was calm and easy to navigate. We also had a closeup view of the cliffs and waterfall!
Apart from the cliffs, there are few other attractions to see like the Takachiho Shrine, freshwater aquarium, stocked fishing pond and somen restaurants (Flowing somen – catching noodles with a flowing somen slide). A small town, Takachiho is nearby where tourist may continue their journey with various bus connections, had they are not driving themselves.
*Blog, info, videos and photos @ http://wp.me/p5Lw9a-1M5
My friends and I were planning our trips to Kyushu and when I saw a picture of the waterfall, I immediately included this place in my itinerary. The Gorge is located in the Miyazaki prefecture – where is mostly known for its beautiful beaches and good surfing spots, Takachiho is nestled high in the northwest, safely guarded by the mountains. Takachiho Gorge is a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. The peculiar sheer cliffs lining of the gorge was owing to the volcanic basalt columns form over a very long time. According to the locals, the surfaces of the cliffs look like scales of a dragon where the stone twisted and flowed along the river. Another awesome sight of the gorge is a 17-meter high Minainotaki Waterfall that was cascading down to the river in the middle of the gorge. It is impressive to witness the waterfall running on a backdrop of dense green foliage and dramatic gray cliffs.
We drove from Mount Aso early in the morning and it took about 2 hours to reach Takachiho Gorge. There are two ways to enjoy the fantastic view of the gorge. First, we got out of the car and had a great view overlooking the cliffs and river from above. The walking trails were well paved and run along the edge of the gorge. There were numerous viewpoints where tourists could stop and take beautiful pictures. At the end of the trail, we took a rest in a Japanese tea drinking shop located on the top the cliffs to enjoy some tea, udon, and a fantastic view of the gorge from afar. Then, we walked down the staircase at the south end of the gorge where we could rent a boat and row through the gorge. The water was calm and easy to navigate. We also had a closeup view of the cliffs and waterfall!
Apart from the cliffs, there are few other attractions to see like the Takachiho Shrine, freshwater aquarium, stocked fishing pond and somen restaurants (Flowing somen – catching noodles with a flowing somen slide). A small town, Takachiho is nearby where tourist may continue their journey with various bus connections, had they are not driving themselves.
*Blog, info, videos and photos @ http://wp.me/p5Lw9a-1M5
Apr 22nd, 2017, 08:47 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were there last year, pairing it up with a stay in Kurokawa Onsen. I'm glad you were able to get out on a boat. The boat rental was closed when we were there, as were some of the area roads to Mount Aso due to the earthquake. Takachiho Gorge is truly a magical place.
Apr 24th, 2017, 12:06 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We visited Takachiho Gorge during our 2013 trip to Japan, during which we spent 8 nights in this region. Like you we self-drove and enjoyed our visit to the Gorge. My disappointment was that water conditions meant that there were no boats running, so we couldn't get down onto the water to see it from that perspective, which we so wanted to do. Perhaps we will visit again another time.
May 2nd, 2017, 06:16 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks @internetwiz, It sounded amazing and I love onsen, too! Mount Aso is my favorite spot and there's a Rakuten with private onsen with a view of the the volcano! @ knucx.journeying
https://knycxjourneying.com/2015/09/26/aso-boy/
https://knycxjourneying.com/2015/09/26/aso-boy/
May 3rd, 2017, 12:46 PM
#7
For anyone interested in Takachiho, I suggest attending the kagura performance at the shrine. It does require sitting on a hard wood floor, but I enjoyed it immensely.
There are all-night kagura performances at farmhouses in/near Takachiho during late fall and winter. I believe that the shrine performances (an hour or so?) are offered at other times of the year or year round.
There is a nice scenic viewpoint where you can see all the way to Aso-san. The fall colors were ok, not much. There is also a hike between the shrine and the bridge but too steep for me. There is an onsen in the town in a modern community building.
I headed west from Takachiho to the JR line to Aso. The trip involved a bus and a scenic ride on a cute little train. That was a fun travel day.
There are all-night kagura performances at farmhouses in/near Takachiho during late fall and winter. I believe that the shrine performances (an hour or so?) are offered at other times of the year or year round.
There is a nice scenic viewpoint where you can see all the way to Aso-san. The fall colors were ok, not much. There is also a hike between the shrine and the bridge but too steep for me. There is an onsen in the town in a modern community building.
I headed west from Takachiho to the JR line to Aso. The trip involved a bus and a scenic ride on a cute little train. That was a fun travel day.
