Review: Takachiho Gorge Guided Tour

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to walk straight into a Japanese myth from a thousand years ago, let me tell you about my day trip to Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki, Japan.

I enjoyed my last guided tour of Kumamoto so much that I went back for seconds and booked the Miyazaki tour of Takachiho Gorge. Again, I’d like to share my experience for anyone who’s considering booking one of these tours.

Up next, you can find what to expect from the trip, costs, prices, lodging recommendations, and add-on package information in a comprehensive guide.

A Day in the Land of Legends: Shrines, Sacred Caves, and Firefly Forests

Since my last Kyushu guided tour through Kumamoto was a great experience, I booked another tour through Get Your Guide that promised a mix of nature, folklore, waterfalls, and the kind of quiet magic you only get in the deep mountains of rural Japan.

I figured it would be a nice escape from city noise, but never did I imagine I would come back energized and almost… reverent.

Stop 1: Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine: Ascending into the Spirit World

That day started painfully early — one of those “why did I do this to myself on a Saturday?” kind of mornings. But as an experienced second-timer, I found the tour group much easier than my first time, and quickly boarded the bus in front of the Lawson at Hakata Station, Fukuoka. Unlike the last tour, there were no assigned seats.

Watching the city outside morph slowly into rice fields and forests, we chatted quietly as the rest of the bus snoozed. When we made a rest stop after an hour, we opted not to buy any snacks at the convenience store.

Two hours in, the guide announced over the bus intercom that we were arriving at the first stop: Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine.

Located in the mountains of Kumamoto Prefecture, the moss-covered stone steps that lead up to the shrine are the inspiration of the anime “To the Forest of the Firefly Lights”, or Hotarubi no Mori e, a hauntingly beautiful story about a girl and the forest spirit she can never touch.

This famous shrine was also one of the stops on my last Kumamoto tour.

The forest remained perpetually misty and hallow, just like the last time I’d visited. We made our way up the stone steps, passing lantern by lantern, and prayed at the shrine at the top of the staircase.

Though there were fewer tourists this time, the mountain felt the same – a slumbering giant covered in age-old stones and sacred shimenawa (Shinto purification straw ropes). The forest too felt familiar, the same haunting and ethereal feeling from the hit anime Hotarubi no Mori e, or perhaps even from the Spirit World in Avatar: the Last Airbender.

After an hour or so spent at the shrine and at the top of the mountain where the hole in the cliff face was, we descended and made our way to the bus for the next leg of the journey.

Stop 2: Amano Iwato Shrine: Entering the Story of the Sun Goddess

Next, we drove to Amano Iwato Shrine, which sits near a cave tied to one of my favorite Japanese myths. One of the oldest Shinto myths, this is the story of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu.

According to legend, Amaterasu hid herself in a cave after a dispute with her brother, Susano-no-Mikoto, plunging the world into darkness for days. The entrance of the cave was sealed with a large boulder, so the world turned cold, crops stopped growing, and the people became sick. The other gods went to the god of wisdom for help, and they devised a plan.

The gods set up a large banquet with food and dancing, and invented music; the sweet sounds of laughter and music made Amaterasu curious, as she had thought the world would be in despair by now. She cracked open the boulder and became transfixed by the sight of her own face reflected in a mirror that the other gods planted; it was then that the gods pulled her out and sealed the boulder with the first known “Shimenawa” sacred rope, so she could not return to hiding.

We got off the bus at Amano Iwato Shrine, which literally means “Boulder Gate of Heaven” Shrine, and walked 5 minutes to the shrine itself.

I’ve been to countless shrines, large and small, but this one was one of the most peaceful and beautiful. The cave Amaterasu is said to have hidden in is sacred and can’t be entered, but you can wait for the priests to show you where it is from across the river. This shrine also has a replica of the Yata no Kagami (a bronze mirror) that captivated the goddess.

A short hike away is Amano Yasugawara, a shallow cave where all 8 million gods are said to have gathered to devise the plan to save the world from darkness.

We hike 15 minutes down and down the steps, walking past towering trees, lush green ferns, and a roaring river. The air felt cleaner and cooler here, as if purified. After crossing a bridge, we arrive at the cave of wishes – a shallow indentation in the cliff face which enshrines a torii gate, an offering box, and thousands upon thousands of stacked river stone towers.

The stones are stacked by visitors past, either neatly or haphazardly; some are balanced in unbelievable ways. Each stone represents a wish, a prayer, or a quiet hope left behind in a place of magic and myths.

Even if you’re not religious (which I’m not), there’s something special about standing in front of a place that’s been part of a story told for over 2,000 years.

We lined up for some photos at the gate, prayed, and leisurely made our way back. Be prepared to wait, as there are hundreds of tourists on any given day, and do try not to knock down any stone towers!

Stop 3: Takachiho Gorge: The Main Event

After a short bus ride, we finally arrived at the star of the show: Takachiho Gorge.

I’d seen pictures, since this place has been on my bucket list since I moved to Kyushu. The fiery autumn leaves around the surreal vertical cliffs, the dappled sunlight glinting off the serene river — but absolutely nothing prepares you for the moment you see it in person.

The gorge walls rise straight up, a mix of steely gray and dark blue, carved by ancient volcanic activity. The river glows emerald green, even under a light cover of clouds. And slicing through the cliffs is the famous Manai Waterfall, pouring down like strands of silken spider webs.

We walked along the elevated riverside path first. Every few meters, the view became even more unreal — the gorge looked like it had been chiseled with intention, as if someone wanted it to be symmetrical and dramatic all at once.

A 20 or so minute hike takes us past the Kihachi Rock, a 200-ton boulder that legend says was thrown by a malevolent “oni” in a show of strength.

After admiring the winding river, the gorge and waterfall, and the boats drifting tranquilly beneath us, we make our way to an area with shops and restaurants.

Unfortunately, we had no time for a real sit-down meal, so we opted for a meal of grilled river fish and nagashi-somen, or noodles that you catch drifting down a bamboo trough in clean water. Generally, this is only available in summer.

The tour we booked doesn’t include the boat rides, so if you want to take pictures up close and personal with the waterfall, be sure to book boat rides in advance on their website.

The boat ride costs 4000 – 5000 yen for 30 minutes, depending on the day, and seats 3 or 4 people; since there aren’t many slots, they’re usually sold out a few weeks in advance. You can try your chance with a day-of ticket, but it’ll likely be sold out. Be sure to book tickets online and early!

Bonus: The Three Bridges of Takachiho & Another Hit Anime

On the way to the gorge, you’ll see the Three Bridges of Takachiho.

They’re exactly what they sound like — three bridges stacked one above the other, each from a different era. One stone, one steel, one concrete, spanning the epoch of post-war Japan to modern-day “Heisei” era Japan.

Standing below the bridges and looking up, you could see the story of time literally stacked in front of you. Also, it makes for a surprisingly aesthetic Instagram shot.

Takachiho Gorge is also known as a famous spot that appears in the popular anime, Oshi no Ko, so you may find some anime references around if you’re observant!

Lodging Options

If you want to stay longer and enjoy the sights at your leisure, I recommend finding a hotel nearby. Here are some easily accessible hotels below:

1. Hotel Takachiho
   A 4-minute car ride or 15-minute walk from the gorge, this hotel offers outdoor terrace seating, traditional tatami-style rooms, and a semi-natural hot spring and steam sauna.
2. Ryokan Shinsen
   For those with a bigger budget, I recommend this guest Ryokan with western-style rooms, a luxurious onsen, and exceptional dining.
3. Hotel Shikimi
   Also, a 5-minute car ride from Takachiho Gorge, this hotel has been in business for 50 or so years, but was recently renovated for a more modern feel while keeping its traditional roots. Boasting a decadent dinner buffet and indoor baths, this hotel is easily accessible and beautiful.

Here is a map for more lodging choices.

Conclusion

In general, I’d say this Takachiho Gorge tour was an even better experience than my previous; it felt well-paced, and all the attractions were close together and given the time and respect they deserved. I do wish I could have stayed longer to explore the Amanoiwato Shrine, as it was tranquil and lovely, like a bubble suspended outside of time and space.

For the reasonable price of $60 USD, the tour included transportation to and from Fukuoka and guided English-language explanations of 3 attractions. If we had tried to rent a car or buy train and bus tickets to all of these attractions, it would have cost at least twice as much.

On the ride back to the city, the entire bus fell into a peaceful lull. Some people slept, others scrolled through photos, but no one spoke too loudly. I think we were all processing the same thing — that quiet awe you feel after being somewhere ancient, sacred, and exquisite.

As the watery sun sank behind the mountains, I thought about the stone towers, the waterfall’s echo, the mossy stairs, the myths that felt suddenly alive. This was more than just a day trip; it felt like stepping into the backbone of Japan’s spiritual identity, and I would love to go back to explore more.