Day1, Sunny and good weather
We were looking for a walk before making our way to Honke Bankyo Ryokan, and Ryoukyo Canyon fitted our criteria of being on the way to Honke Bankyu Ryokan. It is a trail through the mountains alongside a river and waterfalls.
~11:40 am : As we were not able to get more details about the trail from the web, we decided on the duration and walking path after we arrived in Ryukyo Station (using Ryuokyo Canyon Map outside the station). We plan a walk from Ryoukyo Station along the Kinugawa River to Shirowa before turning back to the station to take the train to Honke Bankyu.
We came to the first bridge Nijimbashi Bridge and got a view of the Nijimi Falls. We stood at the centre of the bridge to marvel at the views of the rapid-flowing river, and the lush forest on both side of the bridge. We then continued with our walk.
There were other hikers along the trails, and they usually just nodded politely, and did their own walking without much chatter, or in low voices. This definitely helped immerse us in the beautiful surroundings and the sounds of nature.
As we walked along the trail, we spotted a snake! It was a slithered across the path ahead of us. As we tried to avoid it, one walker used his stick to fling it into the side and it quickly disappeared into the forest. With our eyes now sharpened towards any other surprises, we continued through to the Bottomless Swamp. Soon the second bridge, Musasabibashi Bridge came into sight.
We crossed the bridge and continue walking on the other side of the trail.
12:30pm: The trails gradually ascended after we crossed the bridge.
We came across signs that warned us of leeches and bears, though fortunately we encountered neither.
The trail continued skirting along the side of the mountain, as we crossed bridges and a small dam.
~1 pm: After the switch-back trail, we walked till Shirowa bus-stop before retracing our steps back to the start of our walk.
The trail is well-maintained, making the walk enjoyable.
We stopped to take photos at Gokowa, and Usagi-hane outlook point.
~1:30 pm: We stopped for a rest at the Taikani (Grand View), where we were accompanied by a gorgeous view of the river and gorges.
Before long we came to the small Tategoto Falls, and had finished the trail.
~ 2pm : We headed back to Ryuokyo Station soon after. We had enjoyed our walk very much, and were looking forward to our next destination :- the Hanke Bankyu Ryokan.
Note: We walked rather fast so that we could catch the train for Honke Bankyu.
On the same trip:
Nikko 3-Days of Travel and Walking
A Ryokan Experience in Honke Bankyu Ryokan
Walking from Ryuzu Fall, Senjogahara to Yumoto-Onsen
Kogen Falls, Kanmangefuchi Abyss and Temples
We were looking for a walk before making our way to Honke Bankyo Ryokan, and Ryoukyo Canyon fitted our criteria of being on the way to Honke Bankyu Ryokan. It is a trail through the mountains alongside a river and waterfalls.
~11:40 am : As we were not able to get more details about the trail from the web, we decided on the duration and walking path after we arrived in Ryukyo Station (using Ryuokyo Canyon Map outside the station). We plan a walk from Ryoukyo Station along the Kinugawa River to Shirowa before turning back to the station to take the train to Honke Bankyu.
We came to the first bridge Nijimbashi Bridge and got a view of the Nijimi Falls. We stood at the centre of the bridge to marvel at the views of the rapid-flowing river, and the lush forest on both side of the bridge. We then continued with our walk.
There were other hikers along the trails, and they usually just nodded politely, and did their own walking without much chatter, or in low voices. This definitely helped immerse us in the beautiful surroundings and the sounds of nature.
As we walked along the trail, we spotted a snake! It was a slithered across the path ahead of us. As we tried to avoid it, one walker used his stick to fling it into the side and it quickly disappeared into the forest. With our eyes now sharpened towards any other surprises, we continued through to the Bottomless Swamp. Soon the second bridge, Musasabibashi Bridge came into sight.
We crossed the bridge and continue walking on the other side of the trail.
12:30pm: The trails gradually ascended after we crossed the bridge.
We came across signs that warned us of leeches and bears, though fortunately we encountered neither.
The trail continued skirting along the side of the mountain, as we crossed bridges and a small dam.
~1 pm: After the switch-back trail, we walked till Shirowa bus-stop before retracing our steps back to the start of our walk.
The trail is well-maintained, making the walk enjoyable.
We stopped to take photos at Gokowa, and Usagi-hane outlook point.
~1:30 pm: We stopped for a rest at the Taikani (Grand View), where we were accompanied by a gorgeous view of the river and gorges.
Before long we came to the small Tategoto Falls, and had finished the trail.
~ 2pm : We headed back to Ryuokyo Station soon after. We had enjoyed our walk very much, and were looking forward to our next destination :- the Hanke Bankyu Ryokan.
Note: We walked rather fast so that we could catch the train for Honke Bankyu.
On the same trip:
Nikko 3-Days of Travel and Walking
A Ryokan Experience in Honke Bankyu Ryokan
Walking from Ryuzu Fall, Senjogahara to Yumoto-Onsen
Kogen Falls, Kanmangefuchi Abyss and Temples