Kikuchi Gorge - Kumamoto

26/08/2009

Kikuchi river is a beautiful river with numerous curves flowing from kumamoto to the sea. Kikuchi gorge has become a favorite walking course among Japanese people. It takes one hour to walk around the kikuchi gorge watching this river beauty curving itself and falling making enchanting waterfalls. Kikuchi is a beautiful nature spot throughout the year. I went there in the summer of 2009.

In our case the vehicle was parked some where around 750 meters or more away from the original entrance. It was a walk up the hill watching the kikuchi river descending in all its glory. At the entrance there is a small shop selling grilled fish and grilled corn.

Be kind enough to pay a 100 yen for the charity near the entrance so that you can receive a little route map of the walking course. The first gorgeous glimpse of the Kikuchi river s beauty can be caught here. The river forms a little Niagara on it s way down. Something really beautiful. The water is crystal clear, and I mean it.

7.1 The Little Niagara

We came a cross this red bridge, a hanging bridge across the river. We crossed the river to take the woody track up the river bank. The first little water fall (黎明の滝)　can be seen from this bridge. The river bank is lined with maple trees which is a sign of a beautiful autumn. I guess it is one of the most beautiful spots to be watching the autumn leaves.

7.2 The View from the First Bridge

Next we go up the hill passing several water falls, watching the kikuchi beauty descending glimmering in the morning sun shine. The sound of it s silver colored water hitting the thousands of rockd is so amazingly sweet. when youb travel some where around 750 meters up the river you come across the famous and the most beautiful waterfall (四十三万滝)。

7.3 Teh Yonju san Man Taki

Little way up the hill you come across the puddle called (広河源). this is the turning point of the course. You cross the old bridge to the other side of the river and then start the descending alongwith the beauty.You can also have a bath in the river but for me it was too cold. I had a hard time posing for photos with my legs in the water.

7.4 The Beautiful Water Flow of the Kikuchi Gorge

Any way it was a beautiful morning, a beautiful experience with the nature. I always cherish ever moment spent with the river kikuchi.

more photos

7.5 A Yard Away from The Head of A Waterfall

7.7 The Crystal Clear Water

7.8 A Waterfall

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