Walking the Special Place of Scenic Beauty, Sandankyo Gorge (by Car)

This is a driving tour of Akiota Town. Walk the trails of Sandankyo Gorge, a nationally designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty, to enjoy views of the gorge lined with deep pools and waterfalls. Afterward, drive to the mountain basin to visit the Ini Rice Terraces and gaze upon the paddies layered across the slopes surrounded by mountains.

History and Regional Charm

Located in the northwestern part of Akiota Town, Sandankyo Gorge is a 16-kilometer-long ravine running along the Shiwaki River and is designated as a national Special Place of Scenic Beauty. There are only six gorges in Japan that have received this designation, and Sandankyo Gorge is the only one in western Japan. During the Taisho era, photographer Kuma Nanpo began exploring the gorge. Captivated by scenery reminiscent of Chinese landscape paintings, he worked alongside local residents to introduce it to the world. The walking trail that Kuma planned, designed to disturb nature as little as possible, is still in use today.

Located in the mountains east of the gorge, the Ini Rice Terraces comprise 324 rice paddies built upon mortar-shaped slopes. It is the only site in Hiroshima Prefecture selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for "Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields." The oldest stone walls are believed to date back to the Sengoku period, and they continue to be maintained and preserved today by local residents and students. The natural gorge carved by the river, and the rural mountain landscape preserved by people over many years—the charm of this course is being able to experience these two contrasting landscapes in a single day.

Major Highlights

• ​Sandankyo Gorge​​: In this gorge, where the river has deeply carved into the rock, there are numerous waterfalls, rapids, and deep pools. Among them, Kurobuchi, Sarutobi, Nidan Falls, and Sandan Falls are well known. Kurobuchi is a large pool with gentle currents surrounded by gigantic cliffs covered in primeval forest; taking a ferry boat allows you to view scenery different from that seen from the walking trail. About one-sixth of the more than 1,800 species of moss found in Japan can be observed along the trail, and the fresh greenery in spring and the autumn foliage offer particularly beautiful views.
• ​Ini Rice Terraces​​: Rice paddies overlap in multiple layers across the slopes of the mountain-surrounded Ini area. In spring, the sky is reflected on the water-filled paddies; in summer, the thriving rice plants resemble a green patchwork; and in autumn, you can enjoy a golden landscape. Special events are held in spring and autumn, allowing visitors to participate in rice planting and harvesting. The stonework supporting the paddies incorporates techniques used in constructing mountain castles.

Recommended Route and Travel Time

The estimated time required is about 7 hours. The south entrance (Shomen-guchi) of Sandankyo Gorge is approximately a 15-minute drive from the Togouchi Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway.

The roughly 3-kilometer stretch from the south entrance to Kurobuchi is the most popular path in Sandankyo Gorge and takes about 50 minutes to walk one way. Ride the ferry boat at Kurobuchi, take a short rest, and then retrace your steps back to the south entrance. If you wish to see Sandan Falls or Sarutobi upstream, it is convenient to walk from Mizunashiguchi, which can only be reached by car; it takes about 30 minutes one way to Sandan Falls. Because some sections may be closed due to falling rocks after heavy rain, please check the accessible sections with the local trading company Akiota before setting out. As bears may occasionally appear, carry a bear bell while walking.

After walking through Sandankyo Gorge, return toward the Togouchi Interchange and head east for about 11 kilometers toward the Ini Rice Terraces. From the Togouchi IC Bus Center near the Togouchi Interchange, it takes about 10 minutes by taxi. The road to the terraces is about 1.5 lanes wide with continuous S-curves, and at the top of the climb is the Ini Tunnel. Along the way, you can view the mountain ridges of the Nishi-Chugoku Mountains. Please drive slowly and watch for oncoming traffic.

Summary of the Experience

Venture deep into the gorge lined with waterfalls and deep pools on foot, and observe it from the water aboard a ferry boat. In the afternoon, cross the mountain into a rural village where paddies supported by stone walls overlap. This course allows you to savor both landscapes crafted by nature and landscapes preserved by human hands, all in one day.