One of the most iconic sights in the Ina Valley, impressing adventurers from around the world
Flowing through the Ina Valley from north to south and collecting the waters from the Akaishi and Kiso Mountains, the Tenryu River is the main force shaping this magnificent landscape. Since ancient times the river also has been an important route for transporting local products such as lumber, firewood, charcoal, paper, and fruits to the urban areas on the Pacific coast. Still today traditional Japanese river boats called “wasen” operate in the Tenryukyo Gorge.
The Tenryukyo Gorge is located in the south of Iida City, where the river enters the Tenryu Okumikawa Quasi-National Park. On a length of two kilometers the river’s emerald green waters flow between steep granite cliffs with bizarre rock formations, shaping a canyon that has inspired poets and adventurers for hundreds of years.
During the second half of the 19th century, adventurers such as the British diplomat Ernest Satow and the missionary and alpinist Walter Weston, have travelled the Gorge and written about its charms in their detailed travelogues of Japan. One of Weston’s fellow travelers by the name of O’Rourke wrote: “The beauty of the Rhine and the Danube cannot equal that of the Tenryukyo Gorge.” Being one of Japan’s most iconic natural sceneries, the Tenryukyo Gorge has been visited by English royals, members of the Japanese imperial family, and has inspired painters and poets from ancient times to this day.
This special program lets you explore the Tenryukyo Gorge by foot and boat while a local guide will point out hidden gems and answer your questions.
Nature/Culture/Activity
・The first half of the program is a walking tour of the Tenryukyo Gorge. Discover the spectacular views from Tenryukyo Ohashi Bridge, arching 80 meters above the river, cross over a picturesque suspension bridge and learn about the history of the ten poems of Tenryukyo Gorge.
・Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where you can sample a menu of soba noodles made with locally grown buckwheat flour, accompanied by seasonal tempura and other dishes (lunch not included in the tour fee).
・The second half of the program is a cruise down the Tenryu River in a wasen (traditional Japanese boat). From the boat you will have an unrivaled view of the granite cliffs and strange rock formations grown with old pine trees, just like in a scene from a Japanese painting.
・This program is available all year round. Each season highlights another aspect of the Tenryukyo Gorge: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green and wild flowers in summer, fiery autumn leaves in the fall, bare rock faces and pine trees in winter.
30,000JPY~ for 2ppl
22,000JPY~ for 3ppl
18,000JPY~ for 4ppl
16,000JPY~ for 5ppl
14,000JPY~ for 6ppl
13,000JPY~ for 7ppl
12,000JPY~ for 8ppl
10:00/15:40
10:00-10:10 Meeting at Tenryukyo Gorge Central Parking Lot, briefing with your guide and warm-up.
10:10-10:15 Tenryukyo Central Parking Lot → Yottekan Tenryukyo Exhibition
10:15-10:30 Visit of Yottekan Tenryukyo Gorge Exhibition
10:30-11:45 Yottekan Tenryukyo Gorge Exhibition → Tenryukyo-Ohashi Bridge → Koyakyo Bridge
11:45-12:15 Koyakyo Bridge → Tsutsuji Bridge
12:15-12:30 Tsutsuji Bridge → Goyukkuri Tenryukyo Onsen
12:30-13:30 Lunch at Goyukkuri Tenryukyo Onsen
13:30-13:50 Goyukkuri Tenryukyo Onsen → Tenryukyo Onsen Dock
13:50-15:25 Tenryukyo Gorge “Wasen” Boat Ride
15:25-15:40 Tenryukyo Onsen Dock → Tenryukyo Gorge Central Parking Lot
Tenryukyo Gorge Central Parking Lot (4 min. walk from Tenryukyo Station on JR Iida Line)
Year-round
11 yrs and above
30 days prior
Minimum 2 Maximum 8
Clothing and shoes suitable for walking and matching the weather conditions, backpack, drinks (ca. 1 liter), energy bar, hat, sunglasses (recommended). In summer the sun is strong on the river, bring UV-protection. In winter it gets cold on the boat, bring warm clothes.
2
[Distance] Around 7.0km [Elevation difference]Approx. 60m
The walk takes about 2.5 hours. There are no steep climbs, and you can enjoy the scenery along the way. The river cruise takes about 1 hour.
2
The walking route has a mixture of unpaved and paved paths, as well as steps. The unpaved part of the trail is easy to walk, but there are a few slippery sections, so please walk carefully.
English speaking guide fee, river boat ride fee.
Lunch at Goyukkuri, where you can choose your own lunch from a menu of soba noodles made with buckwheat flour grown by local farmers, seasonal tempura, etc. Prices range from about 1,000 JPY to 1,200 JPY and are not included in the tour fee. Please consult with us in advance if you have dietary requirements, etc. Transportation to/from the meeting point, insurance (please purchase international travel insurance in your own country). Anything else not specified in “what is included” above. Bank transfer fees are borne by the customer.
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[Fees in case of cancellation on behalf of the customer ]
-Cancellation on or after the 10th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 20% of the tour price.
-Cancellation on or after the 7th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 30% of the tour price.
-Cancellation the day immediately before the starting day of the tour: 40% of the tour price.
-In cases where the contract is cancelled on the starting day of the Tour: 50% of the tour price.
-Cancellation after the start of the tour or the traveler does not participate in the tour without notice (no show): 100% of the tour price.
[Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer]
-In the case of the tour being cancelled by the organizer, no cancellation fees will apply.
-In case of cancellation due to bad weather, we will contact you the day before the tour.
-The itinerary may be changed or the tour maybe cancelled after the program has started. In this case, we will pay an indemnity in accordance with the Standard General Conditions of Travel Agency Business, except in a case of force major (natural disaster).