Geibikei Gorge - Iwate, Japan
I was looking for things to do in Iwate Prefecture and discovered Geibikei Gorge (猊鼻渓), a stunning natural gorge just outside Hiraizumi, about a 500-metre walk from Geibikei Station.
I began my journey from Sendai, taking the Shinkansen and then a local train. There’s also a bus-and-train option, though that takes about three hours. I arrived at the boat tour entrance roughly 20 minutes before opening and spent some time exploring the area, spotting the flat-bottomed boat I’d be riding.
Only two other people joined the 90-minute tour, far from the busy spring and autumn seasons. Even without the seasonal colours, the gorge’s scenery was breathtaking. Our boatman shared stories about the gorge and pointed out landmarks as he guided the boat with a long pole.
At the turning point, we disembarked to explore. There’s a small area where visitors can try tossing “lucky stones” across the river. We spent about 30 minutes taking in the views before heading back. On the return, the boatman sang a traditional Japanese folk song. Though I couldn’t understand the lyrics, the performance added to the serene, timeless feeling of floating through Geibikei Gorge almost alone.
History & Background
Geibikei Gorge, formed over millions of years, stretches about 2 kilometres along the Satetsu River and is lined with dramatic cliffs rising up to 50 metres. The area has long been celebrated for its natural beauty and was a favourite of samurai and poets during the Edo Period. Today, the gorge is preserved as a scenic spot in Iwate Prefecture, offering visitors a traditional boat experience that reflects centuries of Japanese appreciation for nature and folk culture.
Getting There
You can reach Geibikei Gorge by train or seasonal bus service (operating from late April to late November). The gorge is just a short walk from Geibikei Station on the JR Ofunato Line. From Hiraizumi, take the JR Tohoku Line to Ichinoseki (about 10 minutes, with 1–2 trains per hour), then transfer to the JR Ofunato Line to Geibikei (around 30 minutes, with trains running every 1–2 hours).
Route Overview
Duration: 90 min
Cost Breakdown
Train: Sendai Station → Geibikei Station — ¥4,480
Boat Ride: Geibikei Gorge River Cruise — ¥1,800
Food: ¥686
