Geibikei Gorge

猊鼻渓 / Geibikei Gorge

Placid river ride between towering cliffs

Photo by Roger Smith

Hop aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat for a scenic ride up the Satetsu River, where towering cliffs rise up on either side. The boatmen silently propel these hand-built cedar boats up the placid river using a long pole. As they punt, the boatmen recount tales in their local dialect and sing folk songs which echo off the cliffs.

Geibikei is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Gorges. It enthralls visitors with its dramatic cliffs, shafts of light, curiously-shaped stones, and vegetation growing amongst the rocks. Spring brings cherry blossoms and wisteria. Autumn reveals the colored foliage this gorge is famous for. In deep winter, the gorge is transformed by a layer of snow and the boats get outfitted with heated kotatsu seats to keep passengers warm.
Last Update
December 8, 2022

Area Near Miyagi

Details

ADDRESS: Machi 467 Nagasaka Higashiyama, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture 029-0302

ACCESS BY PUBLIC TRANSIT: By train: 5-minute walk from Geibikei Station (Ofunato Line)

By bus from Ichinoseki Station: A 42-minute ride. At bus platform 7 in front of Ichinoseki Station (一関駅前７番), board a Geibikei Line (げいび渓線) bus bound for Surisawa Ekimae (摺沢駅前). Alight at Geibikei-guchi (げいび渓口). Timetable here.

By bus from Hiraizumi Station: A 35-minute ride. At the bus stop in front of Hiraizumi Station (平泉駅前), board a Hiraizumi・Geibikei Line (平泉・げいび渓線) bus bound for Geibikei (げいび渓). Alight at Geibikei, the final stop. Timetable here, scroll to 平泉・げいび渓線 (Hiraizumi・Geibikei Line) and click 平日・土日休日 (weekdays・Saturdays & holidays) to view.

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