Takachiho Gorge & Manai Falls
高千穂峡・真名井の滝
A gorge carved through columnar joints formed by the cooling of Mount Aso's volcanic ash flows. Take a rowboat down to the base of Manai Falls for a look up at the cliffs, and it's Takachiho's signature sight.
The Gokase River has cut through columnar joints formed when Mount Aso's pyroclastic flows cooled. The cliffs rise 80 to 100 meters, and the gorge stretches about 7 km. The core section has an approximately 1 km walking trail, passing the Sennin Byōbu rock formation, the Kihachiriki-ishi stone, and Manai Falls, one of Japan's 100 Waterfalls, which drops about 17 meters. Rowboats rent for 30 minutes, with a maximum of 3 people per boat. During peak season, book online in advance. Service is suspended when water levels are high. Entry to the gorge is free, but parking at the Mishioi lot costs a fee. It's about a 20-minute walk from Takachiho Bus Center.
Opening hours
Open all day; boating about 08:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Takachiho Shrine & Yokagura
- Takachiho Amaterasu Railway
- Kushifuru Shrine
- Aratate Shrine
- Tunnel no Eki
- Kunimigaoka
- Amano Iwato Shrine
- Akimoto Shrine