2. Takachiho Gorge was created when Mount Aso, an active volcano in Kumamoto Prefecture, erupted, and the pyroclastic
flow, spreading through the Gokase River, abruptly cooled down. the Takachiho Gorge was formed by 4 eruptions of the
Mount Aso, the first dating back 270,000 years ago. The successive lava flows formed a V-shaped valley filled by the Gokase
River, which flows for about 7 kilometers. The steep cliffs are 80 to 100 meters high, made up of columns of volcanic
basalt resembling the scales of a dragon.
The water of the Gokase are so extraordinarily turquoise blue in places that you would understand why the gods would have
made their home there!
In 1934, it was designated as a sight of an outstanding beauty ("meisho" in Japanese), and became one of Japan’s natural
monuments, which has resulted in many travelers coming to visit from many countries.
Imagine lazily cruising through a deep volcanic gorge in a rowboat while a waterfall forms rainbows in the mist around
that appeals to you, put Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture on your Kyushu itinerary.
The gorge is formed by columnar jointing, the result of the rapid cooling of an ancient lava flow.
The view from a boat directly up the 17-meter Manai Falls is truly thrilling. Manai Falls is about 17-meters in height and is
located in the middle of Takachiho Gorge. It was recently chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls for its scenic beauty.
sight of its waters crashing into the gorge is a highlight for visitors, and boats can be rented out during the day year-round to
experience the falls up close from below. At night, Manai Falls is illuminated in different colors for mystic nighttime strolls.
source of the waterfall is connected to Japanese mythology. The waters flow from a natural well of spring water at Ama
spot said to be the first source of water brought by the deities to the earthly realm.
3. What does Takachiho
mean?
kami having fun
Kagura, written in kanji as 神楽, means “kami having fun”
(a kami is a deity or a spirit worshipped by Shintoists).
It is an artistic ritual consisting of a theatrical dance
accompanied by traditional drum and flute music,
performed by 3 musicians.
Where is Takachiho？
Takachiho is a town in southwest Japan. It's known for Takachiho Gorge, where a trail
follows the Gokase River, also accessible by boat, past Manai Falls. Surrounded by trees,
Takachiho Shrine dates back over 1,000 years. Among the town’s many Shinto shrines,
Amano Iwato Shrine faces the mythical cave of the sun goddess Amaterasu. Kunimigaoka
hill’s observation deck has views of the surrounding Kyushu Mountains.
4. It is also the disputed landing place of
the god Ninigi no Mikoto, grandson of
Amaterasu, who was sent down from
heaven to establish the lineage of
Japanese emperors, a distinction which
it competes for with Mount Takachiho-
no-mine in Kirishima National Park
Takachiho is known as a "power spot", a
place of profound religious importance
and natural beauty, which radiates
spiritual energy. Among the best spots
for a spiritual experience are Amano
Iwato Shrine and Takachiho Gorge on a
calm day.
Takachiho (高千穂) is a town in northern Miyazaki Prefecture that is steeped in
Japanese mythology. It is the supposed site of legend where Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun
Goddess, disturbed by her brother's cruel pranks, hid herself in a cave, prompting the
other gods and goddesses to try and lure her out.
5. How long is Takachiho Gorge?
The 12.3-kilometer course begins at the Information Center in town and goes
past Takachiho Shrine, the gorge, Mukoyama Shrine and Maruono Tea Garden, finishing up at the
Gamataze Market.
Don't Miss
•Rowing a boat through the gorge.
•Side trips to Takachiho Shrine and Amano-Iwato Shrine.
•Trekking the 12.3-kilometer Takachiho Course if you've got the day.
*Takachiho’s Three Arched Bridges (Sanbashi) View!
(The Takachiho Gorge is said to be one of the few spots in all of Japan with
a simultaneous view of three arched bridges. The three bridges showcase diverse construction
technologies: 1) Shinbashi (stone construction over a concrete arch); 2) Takachiho Ohashi (steel
bridge), Showa period (1926–1989);
and 3) Shinto Takachiho Ohashi (concrete bridge), Heisei period (1989–2019).
Visit the fall in fall!
The gorgeous shots you typically see of Takachiho Gorge are taken when the leaves are green,
from April to October. Once the fall season begins, the gorge is filled with orange and red leaves.
Plan your autumnal visit from mid-November to early December.
6. Climb to the perfect vantage spot！
There's a little wooden observation deck perched nicely on top of the rocks that gives
a perfect vantage point to capture the flow of the falls and the rowboats meandering
down below.
Walk along the riverside！
You can also walk along the water‘s edge. It’s rocky and slippery in spots, so make sure
you‘ve got appropriate footwear. You won’t be able to go directly under the falls
without riding in one of the boats, but you will be able to see the mossy cavern. The
southern end of the gorge offers a freshwater aquarium, a stocked fishing pond and
restaurants and souvenir shops.
Staying for the night
Staying overnight is a possibility. There are traditional Japanese inns, ryokan, and
hotels close to the gorge. One reason to do so in summer is that the gorge is
illuminated. You should also make the trip to Takachiho Shrine and the Kagura Night
Festival dance performance. You might even squeeze in a side trip to Amano-Iwato
Shrine to get a full cultural experience.
7. A trail for serious trekkers！
If you're a dedicated hiker, consider a trek along the Takachiho Course, which
an extensive look at the natural and cultural high points of the Takachiho area.
12.3-kilometer course begins at the Information Center in town and goes past
Takachiho Shrine, the gorge, Mukoyama Shrine and Maruono Tea Garden,
up at the Gamataze Market.
How old is the Takachiho Gorge?
100,000 years ago
Takachiho Gorge was formed over 100,000 years ago after volcanic eruptions in
the nearby Mount Aso area. The remarkably pristine Gokase River flows through
the sheer basalt rock walls, just 3m apart at their narrowest point and over 100m
tall in places.
8. 6 Things To Do In Takachiho!
1. Rent a Boat at Takachiho Gorge
Inside the gorge, you’ll discover Manai Falls (picture above), designated as one of Japan’s 100 Most Beautiful
Waterfalls. The powerful 17-meter wall of water gushing down will leave you speechless! The best way to get to the
waterfall and take in other spots at the dynamic gorge is to rent a boat. It is very rare to get so close to a waterfall
that you can nearly feel the water splashing down on you.
The rental fee for a boat is 2,000 yen for 30 minutes (up to three persons). During Golden Week (the holiday week
lasting from the late April through the beginning of May) and summer holidays there is a possibility you’ll have to
wait for 2 to 3 hours for your boat, so it is best you visit the gorge when you have a lot of time to spare.
2. Walk Down the Takachiho promenade!
In the Takachiho Gorge alongside the Gokase River is a kilometer-long promenade. During April 2016, due to the
Kumamoto Earthquake, the promenade was closed but was repaired and reopened in March 2017.
The walkway has many interesting spots, such as Yaritobi Bridge, spread across the narrowest part of the Gokase
River, Kihachi no Chikaraishi, a gigantic rock estimated to be large as 3 meters high and as heavy as 200 tons,
Tamadare Falls, and Manai Falls, where water flows in several stunning streams. In the summertime, you can
enjoy illuminations and view the mesmerizing autumn foliage in the fall. The area is bound to surprise you each
season with its look-of-the-season.
9. 3. Hop on the Grand Super Cart of Amaterasu Railway！
In 2005, old, out-of-use railway tracks were used to create Amaterasu Railway, a train that operates at 25 km per hour
between Takachiho Station to Takachiho Iron Bridge for a 5.1-kilometer round trip.
The Grand Super Cart, which made its debut in March 2017, is particularly popular. The center part of the passenger seat
floor is see-through, fortified glass, enabling you to see the tracks. Another fascinating side to the round trip is 105-meter
high Takachiho Iron Bridge, which, together with the cart’s glass floor, makes the voyage all the more interesting.
The ride only lasts for around 30 minutes, but since the reservations aren't required, this activity is easy to fit into your
travel itinerary. It will also familiarize you with the area’s beautiful nature and give you a chance to enjoy the stunning
scenery.
4. Visit the Divine Amano Iwato Shrine!
The Japanese Amano-Iwato myth (machine-translated English available) tells a story about the sun goddess Amaterasu
Omikami and Susano-o no Mikoto, brother and sister deities, whose relations worsened when Susano-o enraged his sister,
making her retreat herself to a cave called Amano-Iwato.
Amano Iwato Shrine was built to honor the Amano-Iwato from the story. You can take a look at the Amano-Iwato goshintai
(sacred place) under the guidance of the Shinto priest in charge.If you take a 15-minute walk from Nishi-hongu to the
Iwato River, you’ll find a large cave called Amanoyasukawa. The myth says that when the sun goddess, Amaterasu Omikami,
was in the cave, the whole world went dark. It marks that very place as the place where countless gods and goddesses were
to discuss the problem. The cave is will give you goosebumps with its sacred and magical atmosphere.
10. 5. Watch the Traditional Performance, Takachiho Kagura, at Takachiho Shrine!
The Takachiho Gorge once had over 500 different shrines, and there were 88 shrines that were above all others, known as
Takachiho’s 88 Shrines.Built almost 1900 years ago, Takachiho Shrine represents the main shrine of Takachiho’s 88
Shrines, and its main hall and the pair of iron komainu statues (komainu: lion-dog) are designated as Important Cultural
Property in Japan. Every year from the middle of November through the beginning of February of the following year,
Takachiho City organizes a musical and dance performance known as Yokagura throughout the night, at 20 different
locations.Yokagura is another Important Intangible Cultural Property in Japan. Visitors can watch Takachiho kagura every
evening from 20:00 to 21:00 throughout the whole year at Takachiho Kagura Hall (Kaguraden).
6. Look Down at a Sea of Clouds at Kunimigaoka!
There is an old Shinto legend at Kunimigaoka about Takeiwatatsu no Mikoto, grandson of the first emperor of Japan,
Emperor Jinmu. It is said that he stood on this hill and observed Kyushu.
The view from a platform 513 meters high above the sea level is so magnificent that Kunimigaoka was granted a star from
Michelin Green Guide Japan (2011).
The area is known for its beautiful sea of clouds, and during the early mornings in autumn and early winter, Takachiho
basin and the surrounding mountains are covered in mist, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere.
11. Walk Takachiho Gorge’s Road of the Gods!
To continue your pilgrimage on foot, continue on the path along the gorge for 1 kilometer. The path starts at the top
the gorge and offers spectacular views along its length.
Among the points of interest on the trail is Kihachi Rock. This 200-ton rock was reportedly throwed by the god
to demonstrate his power and challenge the irresponsible deity who ruled the village of Takachiho.
You will also see a 70-meter high cliff called Sennin-no-Byoubuiwa, which it is said only hermits with divine
strength have the ability to climb (sennin means hermit and byoubuiwa, rock wall).
Finally, at the entrance to the footpath, there is the Onokoro-ike Bridge and Onokoro-jima Island. Onokoro-jima
was said to be the first island that the gods created, and once included a sanctuary guarded by the sacred
bird Unotori (cormorant). During the Spring Festival of the Takachiho Sanctuary, a portable shrine is brought
must be carried across the bridge 3 times in order to be purified.
As with all Japanese tourist places, finding food options is no problem. Next to the parking lot there is an area with
restaurants, ice-cream makers and souvenir shops. But if you want to get away from the crowd, take the pedestrian
to the Shin-Bashi Bridge, and you will find a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh local soba on a terrace
the river. The restaurant’s location is cooled by the breeze and is ideal for a refreshing break.
