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 minutes, which is just long enough to row to the end of the gorge and back. Once you have passed the crush of people in boats admiring the Manai Falls and hopefully avoided getting a shower from the falls the gorge becomes much more peaceful, particularly at its far end where few people seem to go. The rowing landing stage is by the river next to Car park No. 1.
If you are visiting on a public holiday or weekend booking a slot for rowing in advance is highly recommended. Bookings can be made through the Takachiho Tourism website from a week to 2 days in advance.
Cost per boat: ¥4000 on weekdays, ¥5000 on weekends and holidays
Time: 30 minutes
Boat capacity: 3 people per boat or 4 if two passengers are under 6 years old.
Boat rental hours: 8:30 ~ 16:30 daily Summer: 07:30 ~ 18:00
Boating can be cancelled due to high river levels after heavy rain.
Viewing the stunning Manai Falls and wierd and wonderful rock formations on the steep gorge walls make this activity a truly memorable one.
If you are interested in trying Takachiho Boating but not sure how to get there and back in a day, why not take a Takachiho Gorge Day Trip with Explore Kumamoto.
Travel Tips
Try getting to the gorge early to avoid lengthy queues or time the rowing for midday when most people are eating lunch.
If there are very long queues you can pay first and then recieve a ticket with a time to come back by written on.
There is no access to the rowing boats other than down a steep stone staircase.
Children under the age of 15 cannot row unacompanied by an adult.
Car park No. 1 costs 500 Yen and fills up fast, car park No. 2 is at the far end of the gorge and is a little cheaper at 300 Yen.
If you are travelling by bus, first walk to Takachiho Shrine then take the steep foot path down to the gorge by the side of the shrine.
Many hungry, ducks and fish gather around the rowing stage, so if you are in for a long wait, bring some food for them, it’s fun to see which are faster the ducks or the fish.