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Located in the heart of Shodoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture, Kankakei Gorge is celebrated as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges. This scenic masterpiece features dramatic rock formations and cliffs created by ancient volcanic activity, with landscapes that transform beautifully through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Kankakei, including ropeway views, summit panoramas, and seasonal highlights.
Kankakei Gorge is a valley located in the central part of Shodoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture. Designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1927, it ranks among Japan’s three most beautiful gorges. The rocky landscape was formed by volcanic activity approximately 13 million years ago, featuring distinctive scenery that changes with each season. The autumn foliage is particularly famous, drawing visitors from around the world.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (Ropeway) |
| Closed | Open year - round |
| Phone | 0879 - 82 - 0904 |
| Parking | Available at summit |
| Access | Approximately 25 - 40 minutes by car from Shodoshima ports; free parking at summit |
| Address | Kankake - dori, Shodoshima - cho, Shozu - gun, Kagawa |
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| March 21 - October 20 | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| October 21 - November 30 | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm |
| December 1 - December 20 | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
| December 21 - March 20 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
Gondolas depart every 12 minutes normally, or every 6 minutes during peak periods. The ropeway operates year-round but may close during severe weather.
| Period | Adult (Round Trip) | Adult (One Way) | Child (Round Trip) | Child (One Way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 21 - October 31 December 1 - December 10 | 2,340 yen | 1,300 yen | 1,170 yen | 650 yen |
| November 1 - November 30 | 2,700 yen | 1,500 yen | 1,350 yen | 750 yen |
| December 11 - March 20 | 2,160 yen | 1,200 yen | 1,080 yen | 600 yen |
The Kankakei Ropeway connects Koun-tei Station at the base with the summit station in approximately 5 minutes. This unique aerial journey offers the rare experience of viewing both gorge and sea simultaneously, making it popular with tourists and locals alike.
From the gondola windows, you can take in panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea islands, sheer cliff faces, and unique rock formations stretching along the gorge. When the view opens up, the forest below and distant sea come together in one frame, creating picture-perfect moments at every turn.
From fresh spring greenery to deep summer shade, vibrant autumn foliage, and winter snow scenes, the views are impressive year-round. Gondolas run every 12 minutes normally, or every 6 minutes during peak periods, ensuring relatively smooth boarding even during busy times.
The Kankakei summit features three observation decks offering panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and all of Shodoshima Island. Here we introduce them in order: First Observation Deck, Second Observation Deck, and Takatori Observation Deck.
The First Observation Deck offers the widest views in the summit area. You can take in both the dramatic gorge stretching below and the Seto Inland Sea islands beyond in a single glance. On clear days, the distant mountain ranges of Honshu and Shikoku become visible.
The Second Observation Deck provides elevated views of the Seto Inland Sea and Kankakei Gorge. The wide vistas reveal vivid contrasts of blue sea and green mountains on sunny days.
The Second Observation Deck is especially known for its dramatic sheer cliff scenery. When shrouded in mist, the landscape takes on a mystical quality, as if you’ve stepped back in time to the ancient formation of Earth.
Visitors can also enjoy “kawara-nage,” a traditional activity of throwing unglazed ceramic discs at a ring target. Successfully passing a disc through the ring is said to bring blessings of traffic safety and good fortune, making it a popular activity among tourists.
Starting August 2025, the Second Observation Deck also features Japan’s first automated drone photography service called “SKYPIX.” After scanning a QR code and completing payment on your smartphone, a drone automatically launches to capture approximately 2 minutes of aerial footage with the stunning gorge as your backdrop. AI-edited high-quality video is delivered about 30 minutes later.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | 2,400 yen per group |
| Hours | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm |
| Closed | Rainy, foggy, or windy conditions |
| Languages | Japanese, English, Chinese, etc. |
SKYPIX Kankakei Official Website
Takatori Observation Deck is a historic site where Emperor Ojin is said to have enjoyed falconry. From this elevated position, you can survey both the Seto Inland Sea and the mountains of Kankakei.
A short walk along the promenade from the observation deck leads to a contemporary art installation called “Sora no Tama” (Sky Orb).
Peering through the sphere frames the landscape in a unique way, creating unexpected visual perspectives. This art piece, naturally integrated into its surroundings, has become a popular photography spot.
In this tranquil atmosphere, you can sense history while enjoying the unique interplay of landscape and art found only here.
Kankakei offers distinctive highlights in every season.
Spring brings mountain cherry blossoms and sprouting leaves, with soft new greenery enveloping the gorge. As early summer arrives, the greens deepen further, creating refreshing scenery complemented by crisp mountain air.
Autumn is the most spectacular season, when vibrant fall colors paint the entire gorge, drawing visitors to one of Japan’s premier autumn foliage destinations. Winter brings snow-dusted unique rocks under clear skies, creating a serene atmosphere.
The ability to discover fresh surprises with each visit is one of Kankakei’s greatest charms.
The Kankakei summit area offers abundant local cuisine and exclusive souvenirs made with regional ingredients. The “Olive Beef Croquette Burger,” featuring Kagawa Prefecture’s famous olive-fed beef, is particularly popular among visitors.
You’ll also find exclusive items like “Momiji Cider” and sweets made with olive oil. The products showcase fresh local ingredients and traditional methods, making them perfect travel mementos.
The souvenir shops carry a complete selection of Shodoshima specialties including olive products, local sake, and traditional Shodoshima somen noodles. With spacious interiors and extensive product selections, these shops offer convenient one-stop Shodoshima souvenir shopping. After being awed by Kankakei’s natural beauty, be sure to enjoy the local flavors and souvenir selection.
Kankakei features two hiking trails from the ropeway base at Koun Station to the summit: “Omote Junikei” (Front Twelve Scenes Trail) and “Ura Hakkei” (Back Eight Scenes Trail).
The Omote Junikei follows well-maintained paths, allowing hikers to comfortably enjoy distinctive rocks and gorge scenery. The Ura Hakkei offers a more natural mountain trail experience with diverse gorge landscapes.
Both courses reach the summit in approximately 60-90 minutes, allowing visitors to choose based on fitness level and available time. These trails are popular with hikers who prefer walking up rather than taking the ropeway and those seeking to immerse themselves in nature.
| Trail | Duration | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakei Omote 12 Scenes Trail | 1 hour | 2km |
| Kankakei Ura 8 Scenes Trail | 1 hour 30 min | 2.3km |
Hiking Trail Guide | Kankakei Official Website
To reach Kankakei, you can drive by rental car to either the summit or the ropeway base station at Koun-tei, or take a bus to the ropeway base station.
For detailed access information to Kankakei, please see the article below.
Read more about How to Get to Kankakei
Kankakei was formed by volcanic activity approximately 13 million years ago, featuring a distinctive valley terrain primarily composed of breccia. The current unique rocks and cliffs emerged as lava cooled and solidified, then underwent repeated weathering and erosion over millions of years.
This landscape shaped by nature’s long processes is widely recognized as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges.
Since its designation as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1927, ongoing preservation efforts by local residents have protected its beauty. Kankakei, where history and nature exist in harmony, remains a beloved scenic destination.
At the summit of Kankakei stands an information board called “Kankakeyama Meisho-ben” explaining the origin of the gorge’s name.
The mountain where Kankakei is located was traditionally called “Kankakeyama.”
Nakagiri Kenkichi (1842-1899), a Meiji-era Chinese classics scholar who deeply loved this mountain, wrote a text called “Kankakeyama Meisho-ben” in 1897.
At the time, tourists and locals had given the area various names—“Kankakei” (灌花渓), “Kankakei” (寒霞渓), “Kagikakei” (鉤懸渓)—creating confusion. He clarified that the traditional name had always been “Kankakeyama.”
This text was inscribed on a stone monument in 1915 and erected near Kogun-tei. It was relocated to its current location in 1991.
Kankakei is a natural wonder created by 13 million years of volcanic activity and the passage of time. The unique rocks, gorge, and rich seasonal colors make it a must-see destination.
The string of unique rocks threading through the gorge and the Seto Inland Sea islands spreading in the distance create an impressive panorama from the ropeway and summit observation decks.
The summit area offers lunch and light meals prepared with fresh local ingredients. Popular items include the signature Olive Beef Croquette Burger and exclusive Momiji Cider. You’ll also find a wide selection of souvenirs including olive products, local sake, and traditional Shodoshima somen noodles.
With its ropeway, hiking trails, and interactive kawara-nage experience, Kankakei offers diverse ways to enjoy this destination. Come experience the miraculous scenery where nature and history intertwine.
