Kawakamikyo Gorge

Kawakamikyo Gorge

Kawakamikyo Gorge From long ago, Kawakami Gorge has been regarded by the people of Saga as the "Arashiyama of Kyushu" due to its beautiful scenery. Located at the foot of the mountain between Saga city and Mitsuse, Kawakami Gorge is visited by holidaymakers all year round.
In springtime, sakura cherry blossoms bloom in all their glory and around 600 koinobori (colorful carp banners) are erected over the water's surface.
In summer, the lush greenery and the gleeful cries of children as they frolic in the river are a familiar setting. In autumn the surrounding mountains transform into a patchwork quilt of amber and golden leaves.
There are many sights to see in the surrounding area, such as historic temples and shrines, Japanese gardens with seasonal flowers, and a huge cluster of boulders which remains firmly nestled into the belly of a mountain.There is also a 24-hour hot spring center. Shiratama manju is not to be forgotten as the signatory Kawakami Gorge souvenir. Made with Saga's premium rice powder, these manju are filled with mildly-sweet red bean paste and are loved by many for their taste that has remained the same down through the years.

 


● Access:
From train station: 20-minute taxi ride from Saga Station on the JR Nagasaki Main Line 
Car: 1-minute drive from Nagasaki Expressway Saga-Yamato IC
Bus: Get on Showa Bus bound for Mitsuse/Tanakakami/Hirotaki/Furuyu/Hokuzan/Manago at Saga Bus Center, and get off at Youth Peer Saga Iriguchi or Kawakami-bashi stop


● Contact: Yamato Branch Office, Saga City Government, Tel: +81-952-62-1111

■ Tourist attractions around Kawakamikyo Gorge
・Jissoin Temple
An old temple established by a monk Gyoki in 712. The Deva gate where Deva Kings are enshrined is designated by the Prefectural Government as an important cultural property.
・Yodohime Shrine
Established in 564 to enshrine Yodohime Daimyojin a guardian deity of the sea and river. Authentic in the sense it had become the top shrine in Hizen Province in the Heian period.
・Jukkaen, Tel: +81-952-62-0012
A garden as extensive as about 60,000 square meters is fully filled with rhododendron and azalea in spring.
・Kyoseki Giant Rocks Park, Tel: +81-952-64-2818
Offers you a walking course to view giant rocks larger than 10 m that had been believed as gods around the area.

Map

  • Hi-res4K SAGA
  • SAGA TRAVEL CALL CENTER
  • Kyushu Expressway Pass
  • KYUSHU-SAGA International AIRPORT
  • Saga Trip Genius YouTube Channel
  • Saga Tourism Brochure