Sounkyo Gorge
Sounkyo Gorge, A Narrow Gorge Of Columnar Volcanic Cliffs On The Ishikari River In Central Hokkaido, With Two Tall Waterfalls, A Ropeway Into The Daisetsuzan Mountains And An Onsen Town At Its Mouth. Early Snow And An Ice Festival In Winter. · Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Sounkyo is a narrow gorge on the upper Ishikari River in Daisetsuzan National Park, central Hokkaido, with cliffs of columnar basalt that rise as high as about 150 m - confirm. The road and a footpath run along the bottom. Two waterfalls fall from the rim, Ginga, the Milky Way, and Ryusei, the Shooting Star, which people often photograph together from a short trail between them - confirm the names and the walk. At the mouth of the gorge sits Sounkyo Onsen, a small hot spring village with inns, shops and a base for the Kurodake Ropeway, which lifts walkers toward the Daisetsuzan peaks. In winter the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival builds ice sculptures and a lit ice village, and autumn colour arrives very early, usually in mid September, among the first in Japan. It suits drivers, hikers and winter festival visitors who dislike big cities. It is worth a night, and a short stop from a tour bus feels rushed. Bears are present.
Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa, Hokkaido, a bus or train-and-bus ride from Asahikawa up the Ishikari River, Kamikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
The gorge road and footpaths are open all day and cost nothing, but snow can close sections in winter. The Kurodake Ropeway usually runs from early morning to late afternoon, with a first car and last car that change by season, and it may close for maintenance in spring and autumn - confirm times and the last descent. The ice festival runs from about late January to March - confirm dates. Take a bus from Asahikawa, about 90 minutes, or a local train and bus link; confirm timetables, since winter services are thinner. A rental car helps. Book inns early.