Sounkyo Onsen
Sounkyo is a touristy hot spring resort in a narrow valley of Daisetsuzan National Park with a pleasant village center, onsen baths and beautiful nearby waterfalls. It is also a good base for walks and hiking tours into the national park.
Sounkyo has one public bath house, the Kurodake no Yu. Located in the town center, it offers indoor and outdoor baths with limited views of the surrounding landscape. More hot spring bathing is available at the town's many ryokan, several of which open their baths to non-staying guests during daytime and for typically around 1000 yen.
The Sounkyo Ropeway departs from next to the Sounkyo Visitor Center in the recently redeveloped village center. It is followed by a chair lift, which brings you to within a 1-2 hour hike of the summit of Mount Kurodake (1984 meters). The classic 1-2 day tour for advanced hikers continues from the summit of Kurodake to the summit of Asahidake, from where one can descend to Asahidake Onsen.
Mount Kurodake from the ropeway's upper station
Down in the valley, three kilometers from Sounkyo, there are two beautiful waterfalls, Ginga no Taki and Ryusei no Taki, which can be viewed from a large parking lot or from a small observation deck reached via a steep walking trail in about 15-20 minutes from the parking lot. Another five kilometers up the valley is the Obako rock formation.
A popular cycling road between the two waterfalls and Obako through the gorge had to be closed completely a few years ago due to the road's worsening condition. Unfortunately it is unlikely that it will be re-opened. Because public transportation along the valley is bad, a taxi or rental car is most convenient to view the waterfalls and Obako from the town center.
Sounkyo is a popular autumn leaf viewing spot. The peak of the season normally takes place in the second half of September in the higher elevations of Mount Kurodake, while down in the valley the colors are usually best around mid October.
Ginga no Taki
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Obako
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