Izumo, Shimane Prefecture
Exploring Tachikue Gorge A trip to admire rock pinnacles rising above the autumn leaves
About 20 minutes by car from central Izumo, Tachikue Gorge is also known as the “Yabakei of San’in.” Spend an October afternoon gazing at the rocks rising through the autumn foliage, then round off your trip with a soak in a hot spring and a meal of local wild mountain vegetables.
On an October afternoon, I looked up at the rock pinnacles—and found a few more reasons to linger in the gorge, from the autumn scenery to the onsen and wild mountain vegetables.
AutumnAn October afternoon
Every time I looked up, I noticed a different shape in the rocks
On an October afternoon, I looked up the moment the line of rock formations at Tachikue Gorge came into view. Beyond the trees, broad rock walls and narrow peaks stretched skyward. From the photos, I’d imagined one huge cliff, but every formation had its own shape. I looked away from the first pointed peak, only to spot another shape that caught my eye. I couldn’t decide where to look first.
I’d paired a lavender top with my short black jacket. Once I stopped and let my arms fall to my sides, I could give the view my full attention. The trees overlapped in front of me, with the rocks rising above them and a low roof peeking out below. Comparing the rocks with an everyday building suddenly made their height feel real, and I found myself stretching my neck again.
Erosion by the river and weathering shaped this gorge. It’s amazing that rock this solid could be worn into narrow peaks and deep clefts like these. Some formations even have names inspired by their shapes, such as Candle Rock and Eboshi Rock. Those names made me want to look for them, but first I wanted to take in the contours of the rocks right in front of me.
Trees grow between the rocks, their autumn leaves layered together. Looking at the cliffs alongside the trees gave me a better sense of how far the gorge stretches than when I was focused on the tallest rocks alone. Even as I let my eyes travel left and right, more formations kept appearing farther along. I felt a little silly for thinking one photo had shown me the whole place—I was completely absorbed in the real thing.
After taking in the view, I went for a soak at Tachikue Gorge Onsen. I felt the tension ease in my neck after all that looking up and in my legs after the walk. After my bath, I tried a dish made with local wild mountain vegetables. I took my time with every bite, discovering another way to enjoy the mountains. I’d come thinking about the rock formations, but by the time I left, I’d fallen for the hot spring and the food, too.
Before I got back in the car, I looked up at the rock peaks once more. At first, I hadn’t known where to look, but now I could still picture that slender peak and the broad wall beside it. The rocks hadn’t moved, yet they kept catching me off guard. I’m already looking forward to coming back and finding shapes I missed today.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Tachikue Gorge mountain-vegetable dishes
Around Tachikue Gorge, you can enjoy local dishes made with wild mountain vegetables and sweetfish. I tried a dish of wild mountain vegetables on my autumn trip. As I ate, I pictured the rocks towering above me and the trees nestled between them. It felt like discovering another side of the area, one bite at a time.
Highlights
Rock formations shaped by the river and weathering
Tachikue Gorge was shaped by erosion from the Kando River and by weathering. Some rocks are named for their shapes, including Candle Rock and Eboshi Rock. I kept comparing the outlines of the peaks, amazed that one cliff could hold so many different shapes.
A gorge protected since 1927
The national government designated Tachikue Gorge a Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument in 1927; in 1964, it became a prefectural natural park. Knowing people had come here to admire the scenery for a long time made me wonder if they, too, had looked up at the same rock that caught my eye. It made me happy that the same view can still surprise visitors today.
Rocky scenery and a relaxing onsen
At the inns along the gorge, you can enjoy Tachikue Gorge Onsen, including an open-air bath with a view of the scenery. After gazing up at the rocks, I took a breather in the hot spring. Even after my bath, those peaks stayed in my mind, and my soak became another part of the gorge-side trip.
Road information
Kando River Nature Trail
A nature trail runs between Furō Bridge and Furan Bridge. The Five Hundred Arhats and Reikōji Temple are also worth a visit. I wanted to leave time to admire the rocks, too, so I found myself looking up again while deciding where to walk.
When you reach the gorge, leave time for a walk along the river, too. While admiring the rock formations, I thought about the order in which to visit the Five Hundred Arhats and Reikōji Temple.
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