Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
The most popular place in Kikuchi is Kikuchi Valley. The valley is filled with sights such as numerous waterfalls and giant trees, and is located just 30 minutes by car from the city.
You will walk along natural mountain paths and rocky areas, but they are well maintained and are a great spot to enjoy nature for people of all ages and genders.
To get to Kikuchi Valley, take the reservation-based "Tourist Ainori Taxi"! Head to the valley, 30 minutes from the city center.
For travelers like me who don't rent a car, the "Tourist Ainori Taxi" is very convenient as it will pick you up at the main tourist spots in Kikuchi City and take you to Kikuchi Valley from there! It operates on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and Golden Week (excluding New Year's holidays), so it's definitely worth using if you can time your trip accordingly.
There are also stalls and souvenir shops at the starting point.
I was tempted by the exquisite salting of the river fish, yamame, grilled here by an old man who has been grilling it for 40 years, and bought one. The liver of the fish is cleaned and can be eaten whole. There are also plenty of other gourmet foods to satisfy your hunger, such as yakitori and ikinari dango.
We went to the very popular Kikuchi Valley. It was the last period of autumn leaves, so it was crowded with people. We took the Kikuchi Sightseeing Ainori Taxi to get there! A normal taxi would cost about 4,000 yen one way, but this one-way trip was only 900 yen. It runs on weekends, holidays, and Golden Week, but reservations are required.
I would like to cross the vermilion bridge and start exploring the valley right away, but...
Before that, let's try some Kikuchi Valley gourmet! The key to Ikinari Dango is the deliciousness of the sweet potato. It's hot and fluffy.
What does the Yamame trout taste like when you eat it by the river? The saltiness is perfectly seasoned by an old man who has been grilling Yamame trout here for 40 years. It is indeed delicious, cooked to a fluffy texture.
There is also yakitori.
Corn and other products are selling like hotcakes!
A stroll through Kikuchi Valley, where overlapping waterfalls and maple trees compete
Follow the footpath along the mountain path that runs alongside the valley. Along the way you can descend to the riverbed at key points, but there are some slippery spots due to the humidity.
The first thing we saw was the "Kakemaku Falls." We could see it from the red bridge, and the water was so beautiful! It was clear and refreshing, and there was a lot of water, so it was worth seeing.
From "Reimei Falls" to "Momijigase", the fallen leaves, moss, and trees all seem to approach you at once, creating a sense of scale. You can walk leisurely through the primeval forest, so there were many elderly people and people with children. The air was clear and the water was clean, and it felt like the most healing thing was falling on me.
Now, it's time to start our tour of the waterfalls, looking forward to the spectacular views of the valley.
Kikuchi Valley has a gently sloping promenade along the river. It is relatively easy to walk on, but when it rains or is humid, it can become slippery due to fallen leaves.
A rich forest where moss and small plants coexist.
You can see many small waterfalls and the forest gets deeper. The blueness is breathtaking!
You can see many giant trees. This forest is an almost untouched primeval forest, so the power of the trees is different.
The autumn leaves have all fallen, but they are still beautiful. Clear water flows through the leaves that fall on the moss-covered stones.
We arrived at the first big waterfall. It was just a short walk from the entrance. The waterfall is called "Reimei-no-taki" and is impressive as it flows through the round rocks. The forest spreading out in the distance also gives you a sense of the world of nature.
I went down to the rocks. The water was very clear. It looks like a good place to escape the heat in the summer.
The large rocks rolling around are said to have been blown here by the huge eruption of Mount Aso in the past, and they also create an artistic landscape.
We head to the next waterfall, feeling the harmony between the clear water and the mossy rocks.
There were many visitors from overseas that day, and the large number of people here demonstrated that this is one of Kumamoto Prefecture's leading tourist destinations.
And here is the waterfall I liked the most. "Momijigase". It's so beautiful. The water is so clear.
As you can see in this photo, you will be greeted by endless blue water. On the walls of the canyon, you can see columnar joints, which are formed by the cooling of magma.
There is nothing artificial in any direction, no matter how you look, and it's a space surrounded by nature. You could stay here for hours.
Dynamic waterfalls and mystical scenery abound. From Tengu Falls to Hirokawara.
Now, we continue to go around Kikuchi Valley. The water here is blue. It is cool in summer and cold in winter. The water temperature is 14℃ throughout the year. When walking through the dense forest, it may be a good idea to bring a jacket over your head rather than walking on flat ground.
The 2km round trip is a flat mountain path where you can enjoy the water, the scenery, and forest bathing. Kikuchi Valley is located on the outer rim of Mount Aso and is blessed with the indescribably clear underground water of Aso.
As you walk, new landscapes unfold one after the other, making this a well-worth-see tourist spot. You won't find many places in the country where you can experience a healing forest so easily. It has also been selected as one of Japan's "Top 100 Waterfalls," "Top 100 Famous Water Sources," and "Top 100 Forests of Water Sources."
There is still much to see in Kikuchi Valley. Isn't it amazing that you can enjoy it by just paying 100 yen to help beautify the environment?
"Yomiuri Waterfall" is a waterfall that looks like a natural water slide. However, the water temperature is quite cold at 14℃. The path down to the water's edge is quite rough, so be careful.
The scenery makes you wonder if this rock was also blown here by the eruption. Kikuchi is located on the outer rim of Mt. Aso, there is an abundance of spring water. Even the tap water is groundwater. The source of that water is the Kikuchi Valley.
You can immerse yourself in a world of wabi created by nature.
And finally, we are approaching the halfway point. This mysterious tree seems to be inhabited by a god.
Who would have thought it would grow so big, grasping the rock from above and sending its roots down to the ground?
We arrived at "Hirokawara." As the name suggests, there is a large, flat waterfall.
We also visited the water god and then headed home.
People who come to Kikuchi Valley are so lightly dressed that you would think they were just sightseeing. It's definitely a spot that everyone, from the elderly to children, can drop in to casually. However, the temperature is lower than on the plains, and there are some dangerous spots on the way to the riverbank. It's a good idea to bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing to avoid injury.
Read the second part here
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
