Takachiho – town of myth and natural beauty
A couple of hours drive from Kumamoto City over the border into Miyazaki Prefecture. The legendary town of Takachiho nestles above a steep river gorge formed from Aso’s pyroclastic flow. This area is famed as the center of Japanese mythology; here lies the cave where in the dawns of time, the sun goddess Amaterasu hid and the immense cavern where the other gods assembled to plan how to persuade her to come out and bring back light to the world. Ancient shrines abound and the surrounding countryside offers beautiful treks through forests and terraced ricefields.
Below are activities and sights you can explore in and around the Takachiho area. Click on the picture links to find out more. Then why not plan your own custom made guided or self-guided tour and contact Explore Kumamoto for a quote. Want to go but don’t know how to get there, simply take a Takachiho Gorge tour with Explore Kumamoto.
The solemnly peaceful 1800 year old Takachiho Shrine is set in a wonderful grove of towering Japanese Cryptomeria trees, the oldest said to be over 1000 years old. Takachiho Shrine is the head shrine of the 88 shrines of the 18 villages of Takachiho. The most famous of the trees surrounding the
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Takachiho is not only famous for its gorge, it is also the creator of 'Nagashi Soumen' - 'flowing noodles' just about the most fun way to eat noodles ever! This simple and refreshing summer dish is made of super thin wheat flour noodles, plunged into ice cold water eaten with
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One of the most popular activities to do in Takachiho Gorge is to rent out a rowing boat and experience the gorge from the water. Boats cost 4,000 or 5,000 Yen and seat 3 people or 4 if there is a small child, the boats are rented out for 30
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Ama No Yasukawara Cave From the Ama No Iwato Shrine take a 10-minute walk along the Iwato River, past many delicious looking icecream stalls, descend a steepish path over a simple, arched bridge into the river valley, follow the river path for a few minutes and rounding a corner you will suddenly come to a vast
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Just over the border into Miyazaki Prefecture, the romantic Takachiho Gorge winds its way through the sleepy town of Takachiho. The gorge was formed from the pyroclastic flow of the Aso volcanos, when sudden cooling led to dramatic columnar formations and sheer cliffs that rise above the river between 80 to
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