Warning! This Waterfall at Takachiho Gorge Will Make You Book at Trip to Japan!
Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki, Japan
Does the perfect place really does exist? Are the most mesmerizing waterfalls in Japan? Well Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡) in the lush Miyazaki Prefecture of Kyushu will make you want to put all your travel plans on hold, and book a ticket to straight to Japan! Designated as National Place of Scenic Beauty, Takachiho Gorge is one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in Kyushu, as well as the whole of Japan – the waterfall pouring down over the iconic rowboats that slowly roam throughout the chasm.
Nestled in a steep gorge forged from an eruption of Mt. Aso volcano, Manai Falls (the actual name for the waterfall) are the most captivating cascades you will see in Japan, with the walk through the gorge no less than breathtaking.
The Gokase river runs through the 7-kilometre-long gorge reaching up to 100 metres in height giving you plenty of photo spots to capture the most picturesque photos of the gorge that resembles a dragon snaking its way through lush green foliage. The photos alone should do enough to convince you go!
Takachiho Gorge Itinerary
As a must-see attraction when visiting the Kyushu region of Japan, it’s best to plan ahead and get most out of your time there. The basic itinerary when visiting Takachiho Gorge includes:
- Arrive at Takachiho Gorge.
- Discover/Walk to the Manai Waterfall (30 minutes)
- Boating in Takachiho Gorge (30 minutes) – need to book ahead
- Eat Nagashi Somen / Catch Flowing Water Noodles For Lunch (30-40 minutes)
- If you want to spend extra time in the area you can also:
- Hike the Kyushu Nature Trail (30 minutes)
- Visit Takachiho Shrine (高千穂神社, Takachiho Jinja) (30 minutes)
Walking to Takachiho Gorge
Whether you arrive by bus or drive there, you will ost likely start out from the Takachiho Bus Center, just outside the town centre. The walk from the town centre to the gorge is roughly 30 minutes. The path to the gorge continues to descend gently to the Takahiho shrine, providing excellent views along the way. Remember when leaving, or when you arrive, to check out the Machinaka Tourist Information Center directly across the street from the Takachiho Bus Center. Not only can you get some unique gifts you can also pick-up important information or brochures for attractions in the region.
We walked down the lengthy winding road to the gorge after passing through the relatively quiet streets. If you choose to visit the Takachiho Shrine on the way, it takes about 15 minutes, with signs indicating how far you have to go. On the walk through the gorge you will be blown away by the incredible surroundings; the chasm was formed around 90,000 years ago when the Mount Aso volcano erupted. The pyroclastic flow that had been flowing across the Gokase River had abruptly cooled and in turn producing the stunning columnar rock formations with organ pipe-like characteristics.
The the serene blue-green Gokase river cuts through the canyon providing a spectacular contrast, culminating with the water cascades falling from the cliff’s edge creating one of the most breathtaking views and a memorable natural experiences in Japan.
After visiting the falls, we took a leisurely stroll down to the Takachiho Promenade. There is a viewing point along the walkway where you can see the rowboats and the rush of the falls straight down to the river. This wooden observation deck is another great place to take in Manai’s famous views and interesting rock formations. It’s impossible to describe how beautiful the vista is and photos still don’t do it justice. Along the promenade, there are a few unique locations that you can’t miss. Kihachi no Chikaraishi, a massive boulder reported to be 3 metres tall and 200 tonnes in weight. Kihachi was a demon who was notorious for his bad activities, according to folklore. When ancient gods in Japan came after Kahachi, he threw this massive stone. There are quite a few myths surrounding Takachiho gorge, and it’s commonly referred to as the gorge where Gods live. Another location to check out on the walk is the Yaritobi Birdge that spreads across the narrowest part of the Gokase River.
Discover Minainotaki Waterfall
At the end of the walk through gorge you’ll arrive at the sheer cliffs where the 17 meter high Minainotaki waterfall cascade down to the river below. Surrounded by a background of lush foliage and grey cliffs it’s truly impressive.
The gorge can be viewed from two different angles that provide the best photo opportunities. The first method involves rowing down the river from below. The river is calm and easy to navigate, and rental boats are available near the south end of the gorge. The cliffs and waterfall may be seen up close and personal on this highly recommended route, but it does come with a fee. Walking along the paved walkway that runs along the brink of the gorge provides the second perspective, which is from above. Beautiful views can be seen all along the walk, and at some spots you can see almost straight down to the river below. The walk continues for nearly a kilometre before arriving at Takachiho Shrine.
There are a few more attractions near the gorge’s southern end, such as a freshwater aquarium, a stocked fishing pond, and a few restaurants and gift shops. During the summer, the gorge is lighted until 22:00 so if you can visit at night you’ll be in for an amazing sight.
Takachiho Gorge Boats
One of the must-do things in Takachiho Gorge is paddling around in a boat through the profound volcanic canyon. Boat rides are the best way to see the gorge, but you can only row within an approx. 200m area. When I visited the Takachiho Boats cost ¥2000 for 30 minutes with a max of 3 people per boat, yet in recent years this has jumped to ¥3000 which is nearly $40 AUD. If you do want to jump in a boat GO EARLY! The rental hours are 8.30am-4.30pm and you can expect to wait a few hours if you don’t go early. You can get more information on Takachiho Boat rentals here.
If you have a tight budget or aren’t sure if it’s worth it, remember you can simply see everything from the walkways and viewing platforms and still have an extraordinary encounter without hacking up $ for the boat rental. If you skip the boats, you will also save a few hours from waiting, which you can use to visit other places in the region.
Catch the Flowing Water Somen Noodles
After viewing the falls we decided to explore the promenade and maybe grab a quick snack. If you’re hungry or simply want to try a one-of-a-kind dining experience then make sure you try the Nagashi Somen Noodles (流しそうめん). Nagashi Somen Noodles are the most well-known and popular dish and were actually invented here in the 1950s at the Chiho no Ie Teahouse (千穂の家) so make sure to try out this signature local speciality. It’s quirky and fun to try and catch the somen noodles as they flow down the bamboo, and they actually taste great! Somen are thin and white noodles made from wheat flour and are generally eaten cold or dipped in cold broth. A set meal will cost you ¥1200, or ¥1700 with grilled fish in the set menu.
Planning Your Trip to Takachiho Gorge
How to Get to Takachiho Gorge
I drove to the gorge, and trust me, it’s a lot better than wasting most of your day waiting for and catching a bus there and back. If you’re driving to the gorge you have more freedom with your time and you can also stop at various scenic places along the way such as Mt Aso and Reidaikyo Bridge (below). If you’re getting to Takachiho Gorge via public transport make sure to allocate your time wisely and give yourself enough time to get back to Takachiho Station.
Driving to Takachiho Gorge
While you can stay in Miyazaki, it’s far more typical to stay in Fukuoka (Kyushu’s largest city) or Kumamoto. If you are staying in either of those locations, you should rent a car for the day or, like I did, for the duration of your trip on Kyushu Island. Apart from the lines to and from the larger cities, having a car made it very easy to visit all of the amazing natural sights, since there wasn’t much in the way of public transportation. For the most part, getting to remote waterfalls or volcanoes is done on a tour or by car.
Takachiho Gorge from Fukuoka: It takes roughly 3 hours to travel 178 kilometres from Fukuoka City to Takachiho Gorge. You could make a few stops along the route to break up the journey (like we did) but it will unavoidably be long.
Takachiho Gorge from Kumamoto: If you want to visit Takachiho Gorge, Kumamoto is a closer place to start. It’s a 77-kilometer drive from Kumamoto that takes 1 hour and 40 minutes by automobile. It is also 1 hour to Mt Aso.
My advice is to do yourself a favour a drive – it’s approx.. 1.5hrs from Kumamoto Airport, and 3.5hrs from Fukuoka airport. If you’re like me, and planned a few days in and around Kyushu visiting different towns, then it’s easy to add the waterfall to your trip.
As a sidebar, my week-long Kyushu trip went from Fukuoka > Beppu > Takachiho > Kumamoto > Nagasaki > Fukuoka. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to get down to Kagoshima (there’s always next time!).
When you arrive at the gorge following GPS, it will take you to the small-town centre with the gorge a 30-minute walk away. Tourist buses are infrequent and there are no buses on regular weekdays (from my research as well as information from Japanese friends). When you arrive in the town centre there are parking lots on two side of the trail providing easy parking.
Tour / Day Trip to Takachiho Gorge (if You Don’t Want to Drive)
If you’re based in Kumamoto and worried transportation or are not planning on driving, there are day tours you can book that come with an English-speaking guide such as this tour on Klook. It will let you do all the things you want to do such as explore the gorge, row in the famous boats as well as visit the ancient Takachiho shrine.
If you’re based in Fukuoka then you can book a similar day trip tour such as this tour on Klook. I haven’t taken a tour on Klook so can’t speak to the overall experience, but if it gets you to Takachiho Gorge then I doubt you will be disappointed.
Best Season to Visit Takachiho Gorge
Summer and fall are the most popular tourist seasons on Kyushu Island, and they are both stunning; Japan transforms in each of the four seasons so visiting anytime has its benefits. The trees turn a gorgeous hue of orange and other colours in the fall (best visited between mid-November and early December). The combination of fall foliage, waterfall mist, and stunning rock formations creates a magical ambience. If you choose to visit May-July you are blessed with the nicest weather in the summer (I went in the summer, providing leaf greens and moderate weather for the short hike). If you want to visit without the crowds, Takachiho Gorge is less crowded, quieter, and more picturesque in the winter. The result is that it is essentially a year-round attraction that only varies somewhat at different periods of the year and it is open all year for visitors.
The picturesque gorge and its surroundings take on a varied look depending on the season and even from a different angle. The leaves remain green along the gorge from April to October, and this is the classic shot for Takachiho Gorge.
During the spring, it is not a popular site for sakura viewing but you can see plenty of sakura throughout Kyushu. Whilst Takachiho Gorge is popular in the summer, it can be crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. The waterfalls and the promenade are illuminated by powerful spotlights at night creating a mysterious and serene atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit Takachiho Gorge
The most critical aspect of your trip to Takachiho Gorge is the time of day that you visit, not the season of year that you visit. This is because during a brief hour-spell, light shines down upon the waterfall, creating a golden flow. When I arrived at 10 a.m., the sun was in the right location, and the waterfall began to sparkle around 11 a.m. Whether you have a camera or not, this was the greatest time to take photos and simply enjoy the gorge in the best lighting. Arrive in the middle of the morning and stay for a while, giving you time to set up and get your rowboat, or to locate a beautiful position to take in the views of the gorge.
We showed up at Takachiho Gorge at around 10 am, which ended up being incredible luck. The brilliant lighting hit the cascade around 45-minutes after the fact so we were in the ideal timeframe for photographs. If you book a towboat, the walk down to the harbor region allows you to pass a wonderful cascade, the well known Minainotaki Waterfall, which is the superstar in the crevasse.
The second method for partaking in the Takachiho Gorge is from one of the many viewpoints around the falls. My two top picks were the scaffold and the lower (generally well known) perspective. The extension provides you with an exceptionally raised perspective on the boats and the cascade beneath, outlined pleasantly by the overhanging trees and the walls of the chasm. The lower perspective is supposed to be staggeringly packed during crowded seasons however we had it generally to ourselves, as there weren’t many people on the trail plus people continue to hike to and fro instead of staying in the same spot.
After visiting the falls, make sure to keep an eye out for local wildlife and try out the the noodle shops close to the stream giving you a truly unique way to eat somen noodles. Strips of bamboo run along the tables, with water flowing constantly. Be quick to snatch up your noodles as they drift down. And if you are thinking, wait are these cold noodles? Yep, the restaurant uses cooled water from the cascades to keep the somen noodles at the right temperature, and honestly makes it a truly incredible experience.
What to See & Do in Kyushu
Nearby Attractions in Takachiho & Where Should You Go in Kyushu
Fukuoka – If you want to be in a vibrant city scene and a central base, you may want to stay in Fukuoka. Fukuoka has heaps of incredible sites and is famous for Hakata Ramen!
Kumamoto – If you’re looking to get away from the bustling city life and be centrally positioned for all hotspot tourist locations then visit and stay in Kumamoto.
Beppu – If you want to check out a lot of hot springs, mud baths, and sand baths, Beppu in Oita prefecture is the best place for you.
Kagoshima – If you are eager to go hiking in Kirishima and see Mt. Sakurajima, head to Kagoshima prefecture.
Yakushima (Separate Island) – If you want to hike through the stunning Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley, see ancient cedar trees, and waterfalls, Yakushima is the best place for you.
How to Travel Around Kyushu
While the train may suit those in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and even in Fukuoka, it won’t cut it out here on Kyushu. The trains will get you from major towns and even into some regional areas with bus connections but almost all of the adventure spots I visited had no bus connections. When I searched on Google Maps and clicked the public transport option it would just say ‘not available’. I also got Japanese friends to help find travel arrangements and the results are very clear; Kyushu island is best to explore by car, especially if you are doing hikes and activities outside of the main cities.
Renting a car wasn’t too expensive and I did the car booking online finding the best-reviewed and the cheapest options. I flew in from Osaka so picked the car up from Fukuoka Airport and dropped it back when I was done. I got a very small car as it was cheap but it turned out very handy on narrow roads and for parking. Remember you need to have an international driver’s license to rent a car in Japan. In fact, they won’t even look at your actual driver’s license and only want to see the international driver’s license. Without it, no car, no refund.
Overview – Day Trip to Takachiho Gorge
All in all, words can’t describe how beautiful Takachiho Gorge was. The volcanic rock formations are almost ethereal and completely mesmerising. Try to allocate at least 3 hours if you’re walking to and from the gorge, though it can be done in 1.5hrs if you blaze through it. It is definitely worth the long drive out there to view such a unique breathtaking natural attraction and still remains one of the most memorable and beautiful trips I’ve undertaken in Japan. If you are interested in Kyushu, check out other Kyushu blog articles on my site or if you have any questions don’t hesitate to drop us an email if you need any information and help on the Takachiho travel guide.
This waterfall is a definite for any bucket list! Pin it now, plan later!
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[…] ashore in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu. By the way, this stunning waterfall to your left is Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡) in the lush Miyazaki Prefecture of Kyushu, a prefecture known for it’s beauty […]