The Healing Forest
Kikuchi Valley, known as Kikuchi Keikoku 菊地渓谷 in Japanese is renowned as one of Japan’s 44 ‘Shinrin Yoku’ or ‘Forest Bathing’ sites. The Japanese developed Forest bathing in the 1980s, the idea being to boost your health and well being by engaging with nature using all five senses, luxuriating in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. It may sound a bit new agey but there is hard science behind it, research has shown that the health benefits of a walk in the forest far outweigh taking a walk in an urban environment. One of the reasons is the presence of phytoncides in the forest, these are the volatile substances released by trees to ward off insects and disease. These essential oils give a forest its fantastic fragrance and on humans they have the magical effect of boosting the immune system, lowering stress hormones and lifting the mood. The forest of the Kikuchi Valley is particularly good for forest bathing, its rare virgin forest being high in phytoncides which infuse the air due to the natural mists which form from the many small falls and natural springs.
The setting is a photographer’s and botanist’s dream, the transluscent blue Kikuchi river winding and falling beautifully through the wooded shady valley. The trees including splendid towering Cryptomeria and Japanese Elm are moss fringed and green giving you views reminiscent of Yakushima’s natural paradise. Unlike Yakushima you don’t need any professional hiking equipment to enjoy this scenery. The route around the gorge is perfect for a leisurely walk, following the river which tumbles over rocks in a series of waterfalls. The path does have some steps so access with a wheel chair or pushchair would be a little difficult. The valley is particularly popular during spring and autumn when the foliage is at its finest. In summer it is a great spot to escape the heat as the water flows of the ground at a constant 15 degrees, making it refreshingly cool in the summer and mild in the winter.
Click on the photos to see the full image:
Explore Kumamoto can add a trip to Kikuchi Valley as part of your custom made Kumamoto tour, just contact us with your request.
There are two routes to follow: a 30 minute and a 60 minute loop along the river bank and back down the other side. Entrance costs 100 Yen for adults and is free for children up to 16 years old. Parking costs 200 Yen. .
When to go
Kikuchi Valley looks good all year round but is at its finest in its spring and autumn colours.
Getting there
Getting to the Kikuchi Gorge is difficult by public transport so either hire a car, take a taxi or a hire a guide to take you there. By car it takes an hour from Kumamoto City and is a 15 – 20 minute drive from Kikuchi Town.
Travel Advice
If you are heading to Aso you could add a trip to Kikuchi valley into your route, visiting the valley first and then following the Milk Road up to the northern rim of the caldera for the dramatic views from Daikanbo before descending into the caldera itself.
A visit to the valley can also be combined with a trip to Kikuchi Castle, Kikuchi Onsen or Yamaga Town, take a look at the Yamaga and Kikuchi Valley tour. Explore Kumamoto also offers a great day trip to Kikuchi valley and Kurokawa Onsen
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