Sandankyo Gorge

Sandankyo Gorge lies deep in the Akiota Mountains, northwest of Hiroshima City. Designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, it is Western Japan’s only gorge to receive this honor. Stretching 16 kilometers along the Shibaki River, it weaves through untouched forests, cliffs and waterfalls. Calm, cedar-scented air fills the valley, where well-kept trails invite hikers and wooden boats glide quietly through calm, jade-colored pools beneath towering rock walls.

Sandankyo Gorge

Photo by: PIXTA/ s_fukumura

Nature conservation is important here, but visitors can enjoy the gorge’s beauty by walking on designated paths that respect the ecosystem. The Sandankyo Gorge has a mix of old conifer and evergreen trees. Japan is home to more than 1,800 types of moss and about one-sixth of these can be found along the Sandankyo trail.

The walk from the Sandankyo Front Gate to Kurobuchi Pool is the perfect way to taste this autumn beauty. It’s an easy, hour-long trail that passes red bridges, trickling streams and silent groves. At the end waits Kurobuchi Pool—a vast, calm basin of emerald water. Kurobuchi Pool is a peaceful rest spot for hikers. Surrounded by 100-meter cliffs, the pool offers stunning views. Take the small ferry across the pool and you’ll reach Kurobuchiso, a historic teahouse first opened in 1926.

From late October to mid-November, every slope of Sandankyo bursts with shades of red, orange and gold, while the river below reflects the colors above, transforming into a jade-colored ribbon. 

Further along, waterfalls appear between moss-covered rocks. Shimaidaki Falls, also known as the “sister waterfalls,” cascade gently in parallel streams.

Rocks and Waterfalls

Photo by: PIXTA/ おけいたん

Sarutobi Rock is the entrance to Nidandaki Falls, a hidden two-tiered falls in Sandankyo Gorge. You can reach it by hiking for 2.5 hours or taking a 5-minute boat ride from a river platform. The small wooden ferry glides through a tight, two-meter-wide gap in the cliffs. When you emerge on the other side, the roar of this hidden waterfall fills the air. The scene is intimate and wild—a glimpse into the gorge’s secret heart.

The most renowned waterfall in the area is Sandandaki, also known as the Three-Step Waterfall. This impressive 130-meter cascade is one of the standout features along the entire trail. Water tumbles down in three distinct levels, creating a stunning contrast of bright white against the vibrant green or red foliage of the surrounding trees.

This mysterious beauty first inspired photographer Kuma Nanpo in 1917. His work brought Sandankyo to the world’s attention, leading to its official protection decades later. Thanks to his vision, the gorge’s forests and waters remain as pure as they were a century ago.