Ritsuunkyō

Overview

Ritsuunkyō is a gorge in Wadayama, Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture, set on the mid-slopes of Mount Asago (756.4 meters). Its name is said to derive from the dreamlike river mist of the Maruyama River and the beauty of the sea of clouds. A scenic ravine dotted with countless unusual rocks, giant boulders and waterfalls, the whole area is designated part of the Asago Mountains Prefectural Natural Park.

Highlights

• ●A gorge landscape scattered with unusual rocks, boulders and waterfalls such as Onaru Pond and Ryujin Falls
• ●One of the finest mountain-cherry viewing spots in the San'in region, also called the Tajima Yoshino
• ●Views of the Takeda Castle ruins atop Mount Kojo from each of four observation decks
• ●The ethereal sea of clouds created by the river mist of the Maruyama River

History

The name is said to come from the dreamlike scenery veiled in the river mist of the Maruyama River and the beauty of the sea of clouds. On the summit of Mount Kojo (353 meters) to the west stand the Takeda Castle ruins, a nationally designated historic site also known as the castle in the sky, while below the gorge overlooks the Maruyama River threading through the mountains and the former castle town of Takeda.

Map

35.2859, 134.8405 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Enter the gorge along the walking trail from the entrance at the foot of the slope
2. 2Visit the scattered rocks, boulders and waterfalls such as Onaru Pond and Ryujin Falls
3. 3Climb toward the mid-slope observation decks while viewing the mountain-cherry trees
4. 4Take in views of the Takeda Castle ruins and the Maruyama River basin from the four decks

Did you know?

💡 The gorge's name is said to derive from the dreamlike river mist of the Maruyama River and the beauty of the sea of clouds.

Nearby spots