A soothing gorge where the beauty of natural formations will captivate you
Designated as a prefectural natural park and selected as one of the “88 Waterfronts of Shikoku,” Nakatsu Gorge offers spectacular views created by nature and the clear river.
The beauty of the formations created by the power of the river flowing through the gorge and the force of nature, such as rain, fascinate visitors.
Here, visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery in all four seasons: dazzling, fresh greenery in spring; cool streams in summer; and oceans of colorful autumn leaves in autumn.
There are numerous points of interest located within the gorge, including the Nakatsu Gorge entrance, Ryujin Shichifukujin, an observatory, the Uryu Falls, Ryugubuchi, as well as stone pillars.
Visitors can enjoy the scenery and the sights with their eyes as they stroll leisurely along the 1.6-km-long walking trail, and enjoy with their ears the sound of water flowing over the mountainside, past the stones in the river, and down the gorge to the waterfall basin.
Visitors can also enjoy Nakatsu Gorge to the fullest with all five senses, including the smell of the natural air, which differs in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
A leisurely round trip stroll along the walking trail takes roughly 40 minutes.
In particular, Uryu Falls, with its 20m drop, overwhelms those who lay their eyes upon in with its awesome power and beauty.
Other highlights include the deep green pool "Ryugubuchi" and the 8-meter-tall stone pillars, both of which are oddly-shaped rock formations created by nature.
The teahouse and hot spring hotel Nakatsu Gorge Yunomori is located at the entrance to the gorge, and here, visitors can enjoy meals and hot springs to go with their strolls.
In addition, upstream of the Nakatsu River, Mountain Village Nature School Shimona-no-Sato, a shuttered elementary school that has been repurposed, offers a full range of mountain village experiences.
