Never Get Lost Again! Your Complete Takachiho Gorge Walking Guide
Takachiho Gorge is one of Japan’s premier tourist destinations—but it’s also a fairly expansive area.
How do you get there? What’s the best route? Where should you park? How should you explore the area? If it’s your first time visiting Takachiho Gorge, this guide has everything you need to know to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge was formed by four major pyroclastic flows from Mt. Aso approximately 270,000, 140,000, 120,000, and 90,000 years ago. The lava cooled and solidified into a gorge, later shaped by river erosion, creating stunning columnar joint formations.
The cliffs average 80 meters in height, reaching up to 100 meters in some places, and stretch approximately 7 kilometers from east to west. About 1 kilometer of walking paths have been developed, allowing visitors to enjoy the majestic gorge scenery and Manai Falls, which is recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.
- Designations
- National Scenic Spot
- Natural Monument
- One of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls
- Recommended For
- Those seeking a magical landscape like a Studio Ghibli movie
- Those wanting to enjoy majestic views by rowboat
- Hours
- 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Hours for main parking lots)
https://takachiho-kanko.info/sightseeing/18/
You can also check out a live camera feed to see the weather and conditions before visiting.
http://www.town-takachiho.jp/top/kanko_bunka/raibukamera/808.html
Overview of Takachiho Gorge
Let’s start with a broad overview of the area.
Download Takachiho Gorge Map - PDF
The main attractions in Takachiho Gorge are generally divided into two zones:
- Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail Area
- Manai Falls Area
Since the gorge covers a considerable distance and requires a fair bit of walking, dividing it into these two zones makes it easier to plan your visit.
The Walking Trail Area mainly features the riverside path known as the Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail.
The Manai Falls Area is where you’ll find Manai Falls, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
We’ll introduce each area in the next sections.
Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail Area
The Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail runs alongside the Gokase River and offers a close-up experience of the gorge’s natural beauty.
As shown in the photos, the trail has stairs and is well-maintained, making it safe to walk.
This trail lets you fully immerse yourself in Takachiho’s stunning natural scenery. Below are a few must-see spots along the way.
”Takachiho Three Bridges” – A Unique View Only from the Trail
There are three bridges that cross Takachiho Gorge: Shinbashi Bridge, Takachiho Ohashi Bridge, and Shinto Takachiho Ohashi Bridge. You can view all three at once only from the walking trail.
The Enchanting Yaritobi
This spot, called Yaritobi, is the narrowest part of the Gokase River within Takachiho Gorge. It lies near the midpoint of the trail.
If you’re lucky, you’ll witness beams of sunlight reflecting off the river’s surface—a truly magical sight.
The name “Yaritobi” (meaning “spear leap”) comes from a local legend: as people escaped attackers, they are said to have leapt across the gorge using spears. Those who planted their spears on the near side made it across; those who missed fell into the river.
Thanks to the narrow river width, people supposedly vaulted across using their spears. Today, a proper bridge called Yaritobi Bridge spans this spot, so you can cross safely.
Seeing the sunlight reflected on the water here is absolutely breathtaking—like a scene out of a Studio Ghibli film. Highly recommended.
The photo above was taken around 9:00 am, so try visiting on a sunny morning to capture this view.
Manai Falls Area
The Manai Falls Area is home to the most iconic view of Takachiho Gorge, as often seen in photos. It also features restaurants and souvenir shops.
Stunning Views! “Manai Falls”
Manai Falls is the most famous attraction in Takachiho Gorge. It lives up to the many photos you’ve likely seen online—truly breathtaking.
From the Manai Falls viewpoint, you can also observe columnar joints—a geological formation featuring regular cracks unique to igneous rocks. These symmetrical polygonal columns can be seen up close.
Onokoro Pond
In ancient times, the Sakura River Shrine (Jōtsu Myōken Shrine) stood by this pond, and roosters were believed to serve as sacred birds of the shrine.
During the spring festival at Takachiho Shrine, the portable shrine (mikoshi) is carried three times around this pond as part of a purification ritual.
A small shrine on the pond is called “Onokoro Island” and is said to be the mythical place where the deities Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto first created land.
Onokoro Pond is also home to sturgeon—be sure to look for them!
Yes, the same sturgeon used for caviar! Miyazaki Prefecture has been farming sturgeon since the 1980s to produce its famed “Miyazaki Caviar,” and Onokoro Pond is one of the locations where they are cultivated.
Take a Break When You Need It
Takachiho Gorge involves a fair amount of walking, but there are plenty of benches placed throughout for resting. Around Onokoro Pond in particular, there are many spots to sit and relax.
Dining and Souvenir Shops
The Manai Falls Area also offers places to eat and shop for souvenirs.
Tourism Association Souvenir Shop
This shop is directly operated by the local tourism association and features a wide selection of souvenirs.
The Original Flowing Somen at “Chiho-no-Ie”
At Chiho - no - Ie, you can enjoy nagashi somen—cold somen noodles flowing in clear water—using the pristine spring waters of Takachiho.
It is said that flowing somen originated right here in Takachiho!
Local Cuisine at “Inakaya”
Inakaya offers local specialties such as chicken nanban, a famous dish from Miyazaki, as well as yamame trout set meals and other Takachiho-exclusive cuisine.
Try Your Luck at the Fishing Pond
Takachiho Gorge also has a fishing pond where you can try catching rainbow trout.
- Hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays)
- Fee (includes gear): 500 yen
Please note that you are required to purchase the trout you catch for 500 yen each—so be careful not to catch too many!
Spectacular View of Manai Falls from Mihashi Bridge
Mihashi Bridge connects to the Daiichi Oshioi Parking Lot area.
While the standard viewpoint for Manai Falls is from the designated observation deck, the view from Mihashi Bridge is also absolutely stunning.
Because it’s closer to the waterfall than the observation deck, you can enjoy a different angle of the Gokase River, the boats floating below, and Manai Falls itself.
Where to Park for the Best Experience
Here we’ll explain everything you need to know about parking at Takachiho Gorge.
There Are Five Parking Lots in Total
Takachiho Gorge has five parking lots.
If you’re planning to explore the main areas of the gorge, you’ll most likely want to park at either the Daiichi Oshioi Parking Lot or the Daini Araragi Parking Lot.
Daiichi Oshioi Parking Lot
The Daiichi Oshioi Parking Lot is located near the Manai Falls area and is closest to the boat rental dock.
Parking fee: 500 yen Address: 204 Mukoyama, Takachiho-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki 882-1103
Daini Araragi Parking Lot
The Daini Araragi Parking Lot is located near the entrance to the Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail.
Parking fee: 300 yen Address: 1245 Oshikata, Takachiho-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki 882-1102
These Two Parking Lots Are Located on Opposite Sides
Let’s check the map again to see where the two parking lots are located in relation to the main Takachiho Gorge area.
As you can see, they’re located on opposite sides of the gorge.
How to Get to Daiichi and Daini Parking Lots
You can reach both parking lots by taking the same road up to a certain point.
At the fork, a traffic guide staff member will be stationed—just let them know which lot you want, and if there’s space available, they’ll guide you there.
Which Parking Lot Should You Choose?
We recommend the Daini Araragi Parking Lot.
From this lot, you can walk straight to Shinbashi Bridge, where stairs lead down to the Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail.
The stairs are located beside Araragi-no-Chaya and at the base of Shinbashi Bridge.
This allows for a smooth sightseeing route:
- Daini Araragi Parking Lot
- Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail
- Manai Falls
- Restaurants & Souvenir Shopping
- Return to the parking lot
By visiting Manai Falls at the end, you can end your trip on a high note—making this order highly recommended.
So, if you want to get the most out of your Takachiho Gorge visit, Daini Araragi Parking Lot is your best bet.
However, if you only plan to visit Manai Falls and rent a boat—and skip the walking trail—then Daiichi Oshioi Parking Lot is more convenient.
That said, skipping the walking trail means missing out on half of what Takachiho Gorge has to offer. If it’s your first visit, we strongly recommend exploring the walking trail as well.
Easy Return Route via the Road
Since the walking trail includes stairs and elevation changes, doing a round-trip entirely on the trail can be quite tiring.
Instead, consider taking the road back for a more relaxed return.
While it’s technically a road, it has a charming atmosphere—very scenic. There’s even a tunnel along the way.
Also, on your way in, you likely didn’t cross Shinbashi Bridge since you descended stairs to get to the trail. But if you return via the road, you’ll have a chance to walk across it.
The view from Shinbashi Bridge is beautiful as well.
Important: Don’t Use the Aoba Bridge Route
If you’re heading to the Daiichi Oshioi Parking Lot, there’s another route via Aoba Bridge.
However, this route is extremely narrow. Toward the end, the road becomes so tight that two cars can’t pass each other.
According to the Takachiho Tourism Association:
“This route is mainly used by locals and not intended for tourists. While it’s not officially closed, it’s very narrow—barely wide enough for one car. We recommend visitors use the route introduced in this article via Hotel Takachiho. If you do use the Aoba Bridge route and the Daiichi Parking Lot is full, you’ll likely have trouble turning around due to foot traffic and nearby shops. You may be stuck waiting until a space opens.”
By following the recommended route in this article, you can also access the Daini Parking Lot in case the Daiichi lot is full. The staff at the junction will manage the flow and guide vehicles based on availability—so if you bypass them via Aoba Bridge, they won’t be able to account for your vehicle.
Additionally, some people may be waiting at the junction specifically for the Daiichi lot to open up, so if you go via Aoba Bridge, you might end up waiting behind those cars anyway—with no clear idea of when a space will open up.
But even before all of that:
Let’s leave this narrow, local-only road to the people who use it in daily life.
As visitors, let’s show some consideration and choose a more courteous route.
Estimated Time Required for Exploring Takachiho Gorge
Based on all the information so far, here’s a rough estimate of how much time you’ll need to explore Takachiho Gorge. All times are for walking.
- From Daini Araragi Parking Lot to the walking trail, then exiting to the public road: 15 minutes
- From the public road to the Manai Falls Area: Just under 10 minutes
- Exploring Manai Falls, Onokoro Pond, restaurants, souvenir shops: 30 minutes
- Returning to the parking lot from the Manai Falls Area: Just over 10 minutes
In total, it takes around 1 hour.
If you plan to have a meal or rent a boat, be sure to add extra time accordingly.
How to Enjoy Takachiho Without a Car
Takachiho Gorge is located in a mountainous area, so you’ll need either a rental car or a bus to get there. Since Takachiho Town has no train service, you can’t reach it by airplane, Shinkansen, or local train alone.
If you’re visiting without a rental car, your only option is to use the bus.
- From Nobeoka Station: Local bus
- Duration: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
- From Kumamoto Station: Limited express bus “Aso-go” or “Takachiho-go” (1 service per day, reservation required)
- Duration: approx. 3 hours
Let’s Visit This Magical Ghibli-like Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is a place where the mystical beauty of nature is on full display. The crystal-clear river flowing through the gorge and the lush green forest surrounding it offer beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. This breathtaking gorge captivates visitors with its majestic landscape and refreshing atmosphere.
Its charm lies in both its grand scale and the variety of seasonal views. With cliffs towering up to 100 meters and the Gokase River running through, the gorge is truly a sight to behold.
The Takachiho Gorge Walking Trail stretches for about 3 kilometers and is well-maintained, allowing you to fully enjoy the gorge on foot. Along the way, you’ll encounter key landmarks such as Shinbashi Bridge and Yaritobi, offering many scenic highlights.
Takachiho Gorge is the perfect destination for nature lovers. Be sure to visit and experience the grandeur and beauty of this incredible gorge for yourself.
