Contents
MYTH
Japan’s myth is said to have begun here. According to ”Kojiki” (Records of Ancient Matters, written in the 8th century), the islands of Japan were created and formed by a couple of primary gods, “Izanagi” (male) and “Izanami” (female). They also gave birth to a number of gods including the sun goddess “Amaterasu”, considered the most noble of all that Izanami bore. Since “Susano’o”, another child of Izanami’s, was a very violent god, Amaterasu hated him and hid herself in “Amano Iwato” rock cave which is said to be located at “Amano Yasugawara” riverside. The earth was gone dark since the sun goddess hid in the cave, so numerous gods gathered there at “Amano Yasugawara” to discuss how to get her out of the rock cave. Finally, a goddess “Ameno Uzume” came up with an idea. As she began dancing naked, all the gods laughed out loud at that funny scene, that made Amaterasu wonder what was going on out there and tried opening the rock cave’s door. And there was a god of power “Tajikara’o” standing by right in front of the rock door, opened the door and threw it away, then pulled her out. Thus, the earth regained the light.
One of Amaterasu’s grandchildren “Ninigi” landed in Takachiho from Heaven to control Japan upon Amaterasu’s order. 3 generations passed after Ninigi, “Jimmu” show up and conquered today’s Kansai region to be the first Emperor of Japan, says “Kojiki” (Records of Ancient Matters)
Standard Itinerary
07:30 Pickup at your hotel / anywhere in Kumamoto city
08-10 Ride to Takachiho
09:45 Scenic walk at Kunimi ga Oka
11:00 Hike & Boating at Takachiho Gorge
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Tochimata terraced rice paddy fields
14:00 Amano Iwato shrine
14:30 Amano Yasukawara
15:00 Leave Takachiho for Kumamoto
____ or move on to anywhere you like (extra charge)
17:30 Return to HOTEL
Pricing
40,000 JPY (shared among the number of people) + 7,000 JPY per adult
(children from age 8 up to age 15: 5,000 yen, under age 7: 5,000 yen for baby seat)
Max number of people: 7 (in my mini van without large luggage)
9 (renting a 9-passenger-seat van : + 28,000 yen)
13 (renting a 13-passenger-seat van : + 32,000 yen)
Tour Includes
Tour Arrangement / Transport / Photographs
HIGHLIGHTS
Kunimi ga Oka
A hill located in the northwest of Takachiho, offers a great landscape of the entire Takachiho area and the peaks of Mt Aso. A few-minute walk after arriving here leads you to this beautiful spot.
Boating at Takachiho Gorge
Breathtakingly beautiful gorge very well known to visitors. We walk down the path along the gorge viewing its curious rock formations, and enjoy a boat ride between the rock walls and with the beautiful waterfall “Manai”.
Fee: 4,100 JPY per boat (Tue – Thu)
5,100 JPY per boat (Fri – Mon, holidays & high seasons)
Capacity: 3 adults or 2 adults + 2 under 7 yo
Rental Hours: 8:30 – 16:30 / Winter 7:30 – 18:00 / Summer
Duration: 30 mins
NOTE:
As the rowboat at Takachiho Gorge is a very popular content, it is required to reserve a boat 7 – 2 days in adavance via the following website.
https://eipro.jp/takachiho1/terms/view/toppage
Amano Iwato shrine
The Shinto shrine that enshrines Amaterasu, the head goddess of all gods of Japan . Located in a peaceful atmosphere, 20-minute drive away from the Gorge. By applying for a 10-minute tour guided by a Shinto priest at the entrance, you can walk into the sacred zone which is behind the main Shinto building, and take a view of the ruin site of the legendary Amano Iwato rock cave.
Amano YasuKawara
We have a 10-minute walk from Amano Iwato shrine down to the nearby river, feeling the holy atmosphere. A small path leads us to a riverside with a cavern where ancient gods and goddesses had a meeting together to discuss how to get Amaterasu out of the heavenly rock cave. Inside the cavern, there is Yasugawara shrine and around there you can find a lot of stone pile-ups which have been done by visitors hoping for their good luck or family’s good health etc,.
Takachiho Grand Cart
Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Company presents this unique short tour. Ride a modified open-top car and go for a scenic tour. Just watch the YouTube footage below to check out what it is.
Fare: 1,800 JPY per adult / 1,100 JPY per 7 – 15 yo child / 600 JPY per under 6 yo
Duration: 30 minutes
Operation Hours: 09:40 am – 03:40 pm
NOTE: Not operated in case of bad weather
Lunch
Nagashi Somen
Why don’t you enjoy Japanese modern tradition “Nagashi Somen” in a restaurant right next to the Gorge. Soumen is the noodles made from wheat and typically eaten cold. They offer Somen noodles flowing through a long bamboo pipe and you catch them with chopsticks as the following footage! It’s a refreshing dish especially in the summer heat. Of course they have other dishes in addition such as rice balls and grilled river trout, and hot Udon / Soba noodles.
Soba noodles at Otaniya
Otaniya is situated on the way to Amano Iwato shrine from Takachiho Gorge. They offer high quality and tasty hand made soba (buckwheat) noodles with a beautiful landscape of terraced rice fields on the hills of surrounding mountains, which is registered as one of the GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) areas. For cold soba noodles, you dip them into a soysource-based dipping sauce and experience as the Japanese do.
NOTE: They are closed on Tue, Wed and when they are not available
ROUTE
Travel on R218 to Takachiho and take the same way back to Kumamoto
Related Tours
Takachiho & Aso
