Arakawa Kenryukyo

Located in Shibata City, Arakawa Kenryukyo is the collective name for a mountain stream and gorge full of strange and curious rocks, a scenic site designated a prefectural natural park. The name Kenryukyo is said to come from a dragon legend tied to the stream flowing through the deep ravine.

Long ago a young man named Hikosaburo who lived here saved a dragon maiden, and in thanks she vowed to grant rain so the village would never suffer drought, then vanished. Every rock in Kenryukyo is sandstone, and their rounded, gentle forms make a landscape rare even in Japan.

Highlights

- Named crags and falls such as the Dragon Sword Carving, the Purification Falls, the Drum Rock, and the Tatami Rock. - Rounded, softly feminine rock faces polished smooth by the water. - The green of a gorge woven from broadleaf and conifer trees, and the flow of a clear stream. - A trail leading to the summit, offering a nature walk of about two hours one way.

Enjoying the Seasons

In summer the streamside is refreshingly cool, beloved locally as a place to escape the heat. Autumn paints the gorge with foliage, like a scene from a Japanese ink painting. Fresh-green spring is vivid too, and each season shows a different face.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: Arakawa, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture - Access: About 30 minutes by car from JR Shibata Station, about 45 minutes from the Seiro-Shibata interchange, and about 15 minutes from Tsukioka Onsen. - Parking holds about seven ordinary cars. It is about 3.7 kilometers from the Arakawa settlement to Kenryukyo.

A Quick Tip

If you walk the trail, prepare easy-walking shoes and a drink. After rain the rocks grow slippery, so watch your footing carefully as you enjoy the beauty of the gorge.