Kiyotsukyo

Located in Tokamachi City, Kiyotsukyo is one of Japan three great gorges, alongside the Kurobe Gorge in Toyama and Osugidani in Mie. Sheer V-shaped cliffs and rock faces of columnar joints arranged like regular pillars present a grand drama of nature. It runs about 12.5 kilometers, a stretch of gorge beauty carved over long ages by the Kiyotsu River.

Walking through the roughly 750-meter Kiyotsukyo gorge tunnel, opened in 1996 so the ravine can be enjoyed safely, you reach the panorama station at the far end. This is the setting of the Tunnel of Light, created for the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale by MAD Architects led by the Chinese architect Ma Yansong. The water mirror, a thin layer of water spread across the floor that reflects the rock walls and sky, draws many visitors as a dreamlike world.

Highlights

• The dreamlike water mirror spreading at the panorama station deep in the tunnel, an art space created for the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.
• Rock walls of regular columnar joints adorning the V-shaped gorge.
• Lookout points dotted through the tunnel, each with a different view of the ravine.
• The powerful scale of a gorge carved by a clear stream.

Enjoying the Seasons

With fresh greens in spring, deep green in summer, and foliage in autumn, the gorge seen from the tunnel changes its face through the seasons. The autumn-leaf season especially offers a splendid contrast of rock walls and turning trees. Winter wraps the gorge in the quiet of a snowscape.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Koide, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
• Access: About 25 minutes by bus from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station. By car, from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.
• An entry fee is required for the tunnel. For high school age and above it is 1,200 yen in the busy season (April 21 to November 20) and 1,000 yen in the quiet season (November 21 to April 20); for elementary and junior high pupils it is 500 yen in the busy season and 400 yen in the quiet season (preschoolers free).
• Hours guide: March to November, 8:30 to 16:30 (closing 17:00); winter, December to February, 9:00 to 15:30 (closing 16:00). Please check the latest information in advance.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season: mid October to early November, when foliage dyes the gorge, is especially popular. The water mirror looks different depending on the light.
• Avoiding crowds: on autumn weekends there can be waits. To view the water mirror quietly, weekdays or the time just after opening are recommended.
• Time needed: about 40 to 60 minutes for the tunnel round trip of roughly 1.5 kilometers.
• Nearby spots: the terraced rice fields of Tokamachi, works of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, and Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen. It also makes a base for touring the art festival.
• Budget guide: the entry fee is as above and varies by season. There are also a foot bath and cafes nearby.

A Quick Tip

The water mirror reflects most quietly when there are fewer people. The tunnel is chilly, so even in summer it is reassuring to carry something to wear over your clothes. Visit in easy-walking shoes.

📚 Sources

This article is based on guidance from Tokamachi City and the Tokamachi Tourism Association, public information from the operator of the Kiyotsukyo gorge tunnel, published materials on the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, and on-site information boards. The entry fee varies by season and hours may change, so please confirm with the Kiyotsukyo gorge tunnel or the Tokamachi Tourism Association before setting out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 40 to 60 minutes for the tunnel round trip of roughly 1.5 kilometers.
• What to prepare: A layer over your clothes, as the tunnel is chilly even in summer, and easy-walking shoes.
• When to go: The water mirror is quietest on weekdays or just after opening.
• How to tour: Pair it with the terraced fields of Tokamachi and the art festival works.
• Before you go: Confirm entry fees and hours in advance, as they vary by season.