Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is a narrow v-shaped chasm made over thousands of years by the Gokase River’s erosion of Mt. Aso’s volcanic rock. This spectacular place is surrounded by cliffs that average 80 meters in height (reaching up to 100 meters) and extend along for 7 kilometers. Takachiho Gorge has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
Takachiho Gorge in the wind and rain had its own poetic charm.
On 20260627, after being greeted by a rare morning rainbow over Kumamoto Castle, my very first trip to Kyushu, Japan began. Following the journey, I arrived at Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture. Although the area was under the outer circulation of Typhoon Mitag, with a steady drizzle along the way, it made the mountains and forest look even more lush. Mist drifted through the gorge, like an ink-wash landscape painting. The rushing stream surged past. I couldn’t get close to Manai Falls, and I also missed the chance to take a leisurely boat ride through the gorge. Still, the rain and mist created a different kind of quiet beauty and emotion.
Travel doesn’t always go exactly as planned, but the wind and rain made the experience even more meaningful. It also made this Kyushu memory feel even more precious and unforgettable.
