Takkoku no Iwaya
21/01/2026 / Last updated : 21/01/2026 d.d Tohoku region

Takkoku no Iwaya and Motsu-ji　達谷窟、毛越寺

Oct. 23rd.  2025 A cold night at michi no eki Genbikei, which provided a magnificent display of stars. Such an array I had not experienced for, perhaps, years. Genbikei Gorge　　厳美渓 From the michi no eki Genbikei, we walk for 10 minutes or so to Genbikei Gorge. This gorge is famous and on the tourist itinerary. Mainly because of a novel dango shop that dispenses its wares by way of a rope pulley system. The dango, soft rice balls, are delivered in a basket across the gorge. A gimmick I can do without, but I’m a miserable old sod. The gorge itself is rocky and steep-sided. It is not very long […]
18/01/2026 / Last updated : 20/01/2026 d.d Tohoku region

Sukawa Highland, Lake and Onsen　　須川高原

Oct. 22nd. 2025 The parking adjacent to the main road at michi no eki Misato was not really an issue, but we were woken at 6.00 am with a bear sighting announcement. Quite how near this sighting occurred we are unsure. This announcement is repeated at intervals until we get up on a cold, damp morning. Oyasu Gorge　　小安峡 Our aim for the day is Kirikoma Sanso an onsen hotel at Sukawa Kogen (highland). A famous onsen area. On our way, we stop at Oyasu Gorge. This is a small but impressive spectacle. The access is down numerous concrete steps then along a path deep in a narrow steep-sided gorge. A […]
17/10/2025 / Last updated : 17/10/2025 d.d Hiking / Walking

Gandate Gorge, Hida Kosaka　　飛騨小坂巌立峡

May 31, 2025 A quiet, uneventful night at Hida Ahashi Mura. The morning is overcast with occasional very fine drizzle. We set off, heading west stopping at various michi no eki but our aim is Gandate Gorge in Hida Osaka. Gandate Gorge　　巌立峡 This area boasts 200 odd waterfalls and we plan to walk part of the gorge to view a few. We park at Gandate Koen. The parking is free here but there is a 300 yen charge to walk this section of the gorge. This is to cover maintenance and it is easy to see why. The gorge is precipitous and the rocky torrent in its base unpredictable so […]