Autumn Color Report: Kankakei

Raina's Japan Travel Journal
by Raina, staff writer of japan-guide.com

2015/11/19 - Autumn Color Report: Kankakei

Continuing my tour of valleys and gorges, I visited Kankakei Gorge located at the center of Shodoshima Island, the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Kankakei holds the reputation of being one of Japan's three most beautiful gorges and I was looking forward to seeing it. The autumn colors at the gorge were approaching peak especially along the ropeway and I expect it to improve further over the next few days. Those planning to visit over the coming long weekend should expect beautiful colors and bus tour groups.

I started early and took the ferry from Himeji Port in Himeji to Fukuda Port on Shodoshima. The ferry ride takes about 100 minutes and costs 1520 yen one way. Once on the island, there are a few options for getting around the island, bus, taxi or rental car. Buses to the gorge run every one to two hours from Kusakabe Port and it is advisable to check the timetable before heading off. While taxis are available on the island, it is best to book one ahead of time. It is also recommended to call ahead to check the availablity of rental cars especially during the autumn color season.

I decided to take the ropeway up to the top of Kankakei and walk down. While queuing for the ropeway, I somehow got mixed into some guided groups and ended up listening to explanations of the region. The ropeway ride only took six minutes, travelling a distance of 917 meters. Along the way, the ladies on the ropeway with me were moving around the cabin trying to get good views of the Seto Inland Sea and the valley below. The autumn colors along the way were absolutely gorgeous and I can imagine it to be even more stunning in good weather.

After arriving at the upper ropeway station, I checked out a few observatories and made my way down via the western hiking trail. Heavy rains from the day before made the walking path slick with wet leaves and some sections into mini streams, that meant no running down the hill to save time. While it was mostly green under the canopy, I could see from the colored leaves that covered most of the walking trail that they had taken one for the tree, and were blown off during the wind and rain.

You could buy small clay discs to throw through that metal hoop

Looking down at the upper station and the Seto Inland Sea from the slopes of Mikasayama

Can you spot the gorge staff crouching precariously near the edge of a cliff?

I did not drive up this way, but I am sure the view must've been beautifu

Leaves collecting by the side of the road

These two old men and I standing on a thin strip of rocks with not much separating us from the edge of the cliff

Amazing view from the edge, that's the Seto Inland Sea in the background

This rock is named sketchpad because the lines on the face kinda resemble sketches

View walking back down to the lower station

list all posts

List of Posts:
2024/08/12 - Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale 2024
2024/05/10 - Yebisu beer brewery reopened in Tokyo
2024/04/24 - A new 'corner store' opened in Harajuku in April
2024/02/05 - teamLab Borderless newly opened in central Tokyo
2023/12/31 - Travel Highlights 2023
2023/11/20 - Japan's new tallest building opens in Tokyo
2023/10/25 - Japan Mobility Show 2023
2023/10/02 - Toranomon Hills completed in central Tokyo
2023/06/14 - Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo Opens June 16, 2023
2023/03/02 - Haruka airport trains to stop at Osaka Station from March 18
2021/05/05 - Suggested 5-day itinerary for the Kansai Wide Area Pass
2020/12/31 - Travel Highlights 2020
2020/06/26 - Ariake Garden, a newly opened shopping complex in Tokyo
2020/06/26 - New shopping complex With Harajuku opens in Harajuku
2020/06/26 - Tokyo Mizumachi, a new pedestrian route near Asakusa
2020/06/25 - Travel restarting: Tokyo
2019/12/31 - Travel Highlights 2019
2019/12/03 - Shopping at Shibuya Fukuras and Parco
2019/10/23 - 46th Tokyo Motor Show
2019/03/20 - Moominvalley Park opens near Tokyo
2018/12/31 - 2018 Travel Highlights
2018/10/25 - Business as usual at Tsukiji Outer Market
2018/08/19 - Hello Kitty Shinkansen
2018/05/16 - Cruising Tokyo's waterways
2018/04/17 - Wisteria blossoms in Ashikaga Flower Park
2018/01/18 - Shinanomachi, the Backcountry of Nagano

2017/12/31 - Travel Highlights 2017
2017/10/25 - The 45th Tokyo Motor Show
2017/10/11 - Dipping into the three onsen towns of Yamanaka, Yamashiro and Katayamazu
2017/07/24 - Remote Riches in Toyama
2017/07/03 - Spiritual Chichibu
2017/05/02 - Fuji Shibazakura Festival
2017/04/14 - Sneak Peek from Ginza Six
2017/03/21 - A bit of everything in Fukui
2017/03/13 - Nikko Toshogu Uncovered
2017/02/15 - Subculture in Ikebukuro
2017/02/07 - Travel to the Goto Islands
2017/02/06 - Nagasaki Lantern Festival

2016/12/31 - Travel Highlights 2016
2016/12/19 - Winter Illuminations in Tokyo
2016/10/24 - The way of old on the Kunisaki Peninsula
2016/10/11 - Following the Tadami Line in Oku Aizu
2016/08/27 - Fool's Dance at Koenji Awa Odori
2016/08/16 - The three sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan
2016/06/20 - Train travel into the Ise-Shima region
2016/04/03 - Setouchi Triennale 2016
2016/03/08 - The hunt for Namahage on the Oga Peninsula
2016/03/02 - Sake Sangria
2016/02/20 - Tokyo Plum Blossom Report
2016/01/26 - Tour de Reinan: Obama, Oi and Takahama
2016/01/25 - Tour de Reinan: Tsuruga, Mihama and Wakasa