Takachiho travel guide
Takachiho Gorge
This travel guide is curated by Japan KYUSHU Tourist to help you make the most of your
journey. Based in Fukuoka, we are a dedicated travel agency specializing exclusively
in the Kyushu region.
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A narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River, the gorge is lined with nearly sheer cliffs made of volcanic basalt. These slow-forming columns resemble the scales of a dragon, where the stone twisted and flowed as it took shape. |
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The most recommended activity at Takachiho Gorge is renting a boat to experience the river at the base of the canyon. The view from the water—where you can see the cascading waterfalls and dramatic columnar cliffs simultaneously—is a rare sight found in few other places in the world. Don’t miss this breathtaking perspective from your boat. |
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Located just west of the town center, Takachiho Shrine is nestled in a grove of tall cedars. During the day, the shrine’s modest, unpainted buildings blend naturally with the surrounding forest. In the evening, visitors can experience the traditional Takachiho-no-Yokagura.
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Takachiho-no-Yokagura is a sacred Shinto ritual that has been dedicated to Ujigami (the local guardian deity) from November to February in each settlement for centuries. For those unable to attend the seasonal festivals, four highlight episodes are performed nightly from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Takachiho Shrine Kagura-den Hall throughout the year. |
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This attraction utilizes the facilities of the discontinued Takachiho
Railway. The 5.1 km course from Takachiho Station to the Takachiho
Railway Bridge takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
The rail car seats 30 people and is pulled by two power vehicles
— one at the front and one at the rear—each equipped with a 2,500cc
diesel engine.
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Takachiho is the birthplace of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion. It is the setting for one of the most famous legends in Japanese mythology. According to the tale, Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, was so outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks that she hid herself in a cave, depriving the world of her life-giving light. |
Local cuisine , Somen nagashi
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Somen are thin wheat noodles typically eaten cold with a savory dipping sauce. “Somen Nagashi” is a traditional way of enjoying these noodles, where they are slid down a water-filled bamboo flume, as seen in the video below. “Nagashi” literally means “flowing.” |
Takachiho
