14/05/2026 / Last updated : 16/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Kikuchi Gorge　菊池渓谷

Nov. 14th 2025 Michi no Eki Kugino Michi no eki Kugino is quiet overnight despite the large number of shachuhaku vehicles. The morning brings more activity, as 4 buses arrive bringing in school parties. We take a wander around the place, there is a great deal of space, views of distant Aso and even a dog run. We leave, it is time to visit Kikuchi Gorge. Kikuchi Gorge This, we find, is surprisingly busy by 10.00am on a Friday morning. The gorge offers a couple of circular walks, the longer around an hour. There are some pretty falls and deep pools as you walk along the rushing river. The water […]

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 Scenic Drive / Spots

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 […]

02/09/2019 / Last updated : 12/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Nakatsu Gorge – Niyodo Blue　中津渓谷

November 2018, Bios Ogata michi-no-eki It is a national holiday and Bios Ogata is busy very early. We go for a short walk and watch the surfers, far away as the beach is very wide. There is also a flotilla of fishing boats arrayed with banners moving slowly, line astern. Suddenly the lead craft breaks away, very fast, and turns around to head back towards the port. All the rest of the boats follow suit, turning in opposite directions alternately and heading back the way they had come towards the port. Clearly some kind of festival but too far away to figure out what it was all about. Leaving the […]

31/08/2019 / Last updated : 11/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Omogo Gorge and Iwaya-ji 面河渓、岩屋寺

October 2018, & November 2025 Imabari Yunoura Onsen michi no eki Imabari Yunoura onsen michi no eki is noisy, being on the main road, but I sleep well regardless. In the morning, I discover it doesn’t have an onsen, but it does have a Fog Machine. This is a dome of large, rough stones that intermittently puffs out steam. To invoke the spirit of an onsen, perhaps? Omogo Gorge 面河渓 Today our plan is to visit Iwaya-ji, a Henro Trail temple (no.45), but first we drive to Omogo-kei or Omogo Gorge. The gorge is very fine and it is an access point for climbing mountains. Consequently, it provides a walk […]