Rapids, waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs, suspension bridges and waters of the clearest blue. Welcome to the Dorokyo Gorge! This as far from civilisation as you can go before you start coming back.
The Dorokyo Gorge is made up of about 31 kilometers of canyons and ravines on the borders of Nara, Mie and Wakayama Prefectures cut by the Kitayama and Kumano Rivers. The 1.2 kilometer long Doro-Hatcho section of the gorge, on the trilateral border of Nara, Mie and Wakayama Prefectures, displays the classic cliffs and rock formations of a true canyon. The lush greenery, mountain wildflowers and fiery autumn colours of the unsullied forests that grow above the canyon’s walls make it one of the most spectacular and remote places in Nara. The Doro-hatcho is only accessible via a sightseeing jet boat from downstream or by a winding mountain road from the north. Coming by car grants one the freedom to hike and explore the canyon, swim in the river, soak in the hot springs, or hire the Kawasemi riverboat for a private tour of the rapids, waterfalls and other parts of the canyon that can only be accessed by boat. A private tour on the Kawasemi (minimum 2 people) costs no more than ¥1,900/person and lasts about 30 minutes, though longer tours can be negotiated. The Kawasemi’s driver is also so good at what he does that he can hold the Kawasemi in one place in the middle of a rapid!
With the point where Nara, Mie and Wakayama Prefectures meet smack dab in the centre of the Dorokyo, it really is as far out as one can get. Fancy a boat ride on the Grand Canyon of the Kumano?
References:
http://dorokyo.jp
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/regional/wakayama/dorokyo.html
http://www.japan365days.com/journey_dorokyo_gorge.php
https://www.japanhoppers.com/kansai/kushimoto_nachi/kanko/1287/
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/瀞峡 (Japanese )
Photo credits:
Licensed under Creative Commons 3.0 Attributions License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode)
Sightseeing jet boat docked in the Dorokyo, created by 玄史生, Wikipedia Creative Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:No_65_kumano_Shipping_in_Tado_Cruiseboat_Port.jpg
Tsuirakuiwa in the Dorokyō, created by 玄史生, Wikipedia Creative Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tsuirakuiwa_in_Dorokyō.jpg
Okutoro Dorokyo, created by NALA Wiki, Wikipedia Creative Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Okutoro_（Otonori）_001.JPG