Kankakei Gorge on Shodoshima: Famous Autumn Foliage Spot and One of Japan's Three Great Gorge Beauties

Kankakei, located almost in the center of Shodoshima in Kagawa Prefecture, is a gorge formed when layers of andesite and volcanic breccia created by volcanic activity about 13 million years ago were subjected to long ages of crustal movement, weathering and erosion. Praised as one of "Japan's Three Great Gorge Beauties," it was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1923 and, in 1934, a representative scenic site of the Setonaikai National Park, Japan's first national park. The landscape woven from the rugged yet magnificent rock faces created over long ages, the rich greenery that colors them, and the autumn foliage is breathtakingly beautiful. It is Shodoshima's finest sightseeing spot, where you can enjoy a grand view taking in both the sea and the mountains in a way only an island floating in the Seto Inland Sea can offer. The mountaintop ropeway station is at approximately 612 meters elevation, with views of the Seto Inland Sea and islands spreading out below.

Gorge Beauty of Strange Rocks and Sheer Cliffs

The greatest appeal of Kankakei is the dynamic gorge beauty of strange rocks and sheer cliffs that nature has created over long ages. Rock formed by volcanic activity has been eroded by rain and wind, producing strange scenery full of character. Each rock has been given a name inspired by its shape, stirring the imagination of those who see them. The contrast between the rugged rock faces and the green trees that fill the spaces between them is superb, and it shows a different face in each season. Nurtured by the mild climate of the Seto Inland Sea, the gorge is truly a treasury of sculptural beauty created by nature.

The Grand View of Autumn Foliage from the Ropeway

The highlight of enjoying Kankakei is the ropeway, which lets you look down on the gorge from the air. During the roughly five-minute aerial stroll from Kouun Station (Koun-tei) at the mountain base to the summit station, you can take in the whole grand view of the gorge spreading out below. In the autumn foliage season especially, the trees dyed red and yellow, the strange rocks, and the Seto Inland Sea glittering in the distance come together into an overwhelming scene. According to the operating company, it is the only ropeway in Japan from which you can view "sky, sea and gorge" all at once. From the observation deck at the summit you can also enjoy a panorama looking out over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

Four Seasons of Gorge Beauty

Cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in spring, a cool green gorge in summer, a collaboration of autumn foliage and rocks in autumn, and snow scenery in winter allow enjoyment of different beauty throughout the four seasons.

Trekking Courses

Multiple trekking courses linking the summit and the valley are maintained, offering the powerful experience of walking between strange rocks and sheer cliffs. The standard course is ascending by ropeway and descending on foot.

Best Season and Access

Kankakei is most popular in autumn for the foliage, and the ropeway fare in November is charged at the peak-season (Period B) rate. The timing of the color change shifts from year to year, so check the foliage information on the official site before setting out. The autumn foliage coloring the gorge together with the grand view of the Seto Inland Sea makes the most beautiful scene of the year. Early summer, when the fresh greenery is dazzling, is also recommended. For access, the usual approaches are to take the seasonal "Kankakei Free Shuttle Bus" from Kusakabe Port and get off at the last stop "Koun-tei," or to head to Kouun Station at the mountain base by rental car or similar. To reach Shodoshima, there are ferries from Takamatsu Port to Tonosho Port taking about 60 minutes and high-speed boats taking about 35 minutes, as well as ferries from Shin-Okayama Port, Uno Port, Himeji Port, Kobe Port and elsewhere. Combine it with sightseeing unique to Shodoshima, such as the olive groves and the soy sauce village, and enjoy a trip that makes the most of the grand view of Kankakei, one of Japan's Three Great Gorge Beauties.

Practical Information

• Peak and best season: autumn for the foliage is the most popular. The ropeway fare in November is charged at the peak-season (Period B) rate. The timing of the color change shifts from year to year, so check the foliage information on the official site before setting out. Early summer with its fresh greenery is also recommended.
• Fees: ordinary passenger fares on the Kankakei Ropeway (Kouun Station to summit station) differ by period. In Period A (March 21 to October 31, and December 1 to December 10) adults (junior high school age and above) pay 2,340 yen round trip, 1,300 yen one way, and 3,000 yen for a one-day pass; children (elementary school age) pay 1,170 yen round trip, 650 yen one way, and 1,500 yen for a one-day pass. In Period B (November 1 to November 30) adults pay 2,700 yen round trip and 1,500 yen one way; children pay 1,350 yen round trip and 750 yen one way. In Period C (December 11 to March 20) adults pay 2,160 yen round trip and 1,200 yen one way; children pay 1,080 yen round trip and 600 yen one way. Showing a disability certificate halves the ordinary fare. One child under 6 travels free per adult.
• Access: to Shodoshima, ferry from Takamatsu Port to Tonosho Port about 60 minutes and high-speed boat about 35 minutes; Takamatsu Port to Ikeda Port ferry about 60 minutes; Takamatsu-Higashi Port to Sakate Port about 70 minutes; Shin-Okayama Port to Tonosho Port about 70 minutes; Uno Port to Tonosho Port about 90 minutes; Himeji Port to Fukuda Port about 100 minutes; Kobe Port to Sakate Port about 3 hours 20 minutes. For Kankakei, take the seasonal "Kankakei Free Shuttle Bus" from Kusakabe Port and get off at the last stop "Koun-tei" (about 11 minutes by car from Kusakabe Port). From Tonosho Port, take the Sakate Line or the southern-route Fukuda Line to Kusakabe Port and change to the shuttle bus. The ropeway uses 40-passenger gondolas, takes about 5 minutes, and runs at 12-minute intervals every hour (extra services at 6-minute intervals when busy). There are no reservations; boarding is in order of arrival.
• Winter closures and road closures: the ropeway is open all year, but there are suspensions for equipment renewal work and inspections, as well as suspensions of operation and temporary closures due to weather conditions such as strong wind. Check the official operating calendar for non-operating days. Operating hours are 8:30 to 17:00 from March 21 to October 20, 8:00 to 17:00 from October 21 to November 30, 8:30 to 17:00 from December 1 to December 20, and 8:30 to 16:30 from December 21 to March 20. You cannot make a round trip on the last service.
• Clothing and gear: light clothing is fine if you only stroll around the summit, but if you walk the mountain trails (Omote Junikei, about 2 km and about 1 hour; Ura Hakkei, about 1.8 km and about 1 hour; Hoshigajo, about 2.3 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes), bring shoes that are easy to walk in and plenty of water. If you take the ropeway one way and walk the other, the trail takes about 60 minutes.

*The whole Kankakei area is a special zone of the Setonaikai National Park. Capturing animals and collecting plants are prohibited, the use of fire is strictly forbidden, and rubbish must be taken home. Watch out for wild animals such as monkeys, wild boar and deer, and for dangerous creatures such as hornets and pit vipers. Official guidance asks that you hike with adequate preparation and health management, and act at your own responsibility.*

*Kouun Station (at the mountain base) has steps between the car park and the boarding area, making it difficult to use in a wheelchair. Wheelchair users are advised to drive up to the summit and make a round trip from the summit station (wheelchairs are available for loan).*

(Source: Kankakei Ropeway official site "The Appeal of Kankakei," "Ropeway," "Access" https://www.kankakei.co.jp/ / confirmed July 29, 2026)

(Sources: the official Kankakei Ropeway website, the pages The Charms of Kankakei, Ropeway and Access, https://www.kankakei.co.jp/ ; confirmed on July 29, 2026)