Kankakei Gorge is on Shodoshima island in the Seto Inland Sea, and features many unique rock formations and cliffs rising vertically. The different colors of the trees in each season, make the spot worthy of a visit at any time of the year.
About Kankakei Gorge
Kankakei Gorge is located almost at the center of Shodoshima. It is a superb sightseeing spot, said to be one of the three most beautiful gorges in Japan. The breathtaking, vivid views are formed by the rocks created by volcanic activity 13 million years ago and the subsequent crustal movement and erosion by wind and rain.
To reach the highest point of Kankakei Gorge, you can either take the ropeway or trek along the mountain trails. At the top station, the facilities include a restaurant, gift shops, and bathrooms, not to mention a nice observatory deck.
Things to Do in Kankakei Gorge
Kankakei Gorge does not only offer magnificent views, but there is also excellent dining and shopping at the top. This time, we would like to recommend some the highlights to you.
The Four Seasons of Kankakei Gorge
There are two observatory decks at the top of Kankakei Gorge, which give panoramic views of the superb nature, the towns on Shodoshima, and nearby islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
The gorge is remarkable for the jagged rocks with strange shapes, and the changing color of the trees in different seasons - the pale green and pink of the cherry blossoms in spring, vivid green in summer, the golds and reds of autumn, and white with the winter snow. In winter when the trees are bare, the outline of the rocks is more prominent and even more starkly spectacular.
Restaurants & Gift Shops with Exclusive Kankakei Gorge Olive Beef Burger
At the ropeway top station, you can find a restaurant and some souvenir shops with Shodoshima specialties and some exclusive to Kankakei Gorge. Warm your stomach with “Tenobesomen” (literally hand-stretched somen noodles), and olive ramen, a specialty prepared with the olives Shodoshima is famous for.
The cafeteria at the gift shop serves “olive soft serves”, with a rich taste of olive, and an “olive beef croquette burger” that is exclusive to Kankakei gorge.
The “olive beef croquette burger” is made using beef from cows fed with olives.
Hiking with Breathtaking Scenic Views
Kankakei Gorge has three mountain trails - the Omotetozandou and Uratozandou trails to the top, as well as the Hoshigajo Tozandou which link the top of the gorge with the highest point on Shodoshima, Mt. Hoshigajo.
There are 12 and 8 designated sightseeing spots respectively along the Omotetozandou and Uratozandou trails. The different trails have different attractions, such as the unique views of the Horagaiiwa rock in the shape of a giant triton, and the Sekimondo cave that looks like it is buried under the rock.
If you go in spring, you can see the totemic flower of Shodoshima- weeping forsythia togashii.
Access to Kankakei Gorge
To get to Kankakei Gorge, you first head to “Kou-un station” of Kankakei gorge ropeway. From Kusakabe port, ride on the Kankake-line of the “Shodoshima Olive Bus” all the way to the terminus : Kou-un tei”, which takes about 15 minutes. Then it is about a minute's walk to the ropeway station. However, please note that the Kankake Line only operates on weekends and everything stops in winter. So check the official website before you head there!
The ride on Kankakei gorge ropeway to the top “Kou-un station” takes about 5 minutes.
Information
Name: Kankakei Gorge
- Address: 327-1, Kankakedori, Shodoshima-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa (zip code 761-4433)
- Access: Kusakabe port→ [route bus] Around 15 mins →Kou-un tei…[walk] around 1 min
- Wi-Fi: Available (KAGAWA Wi-Fi)
- Language: Japanese only
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted
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