Nakatsu Gorge - Kochi, Japan
One of the most popular things to do in Kochi is visit the Niyodo River, famous for its bright blue water known as “Niyodo Blue.” The river flows from Mt. Ishizuchi, the tallest mountain in western Japan, and has been chosen eight times in the past decade as having the best water quality in Japan. You can see this beautiful blue water in three main spots, and one of them is Nakatsu Gorge (中津渓谷).
I chose Nakatsu Gorge because it’s one of the easiest to reach by public transport. The gorge has a 2.3 km trail that follows the river and ends at Uryu no Taki waterfall. The bus dropped me off a few hundred metres from the entrance. On the way up, I passed an onsen hotel that offers day visits, and a small tea house right at the entrance.
Even though the fall colours had faded, the scenery was still incredible. The clear blue water was especially beautiful. There were only a few other hikers, so it felt peaceful and quiet. I stopped halfway to enjoy the view before reaching the waterfall. It was nice, though the water flow was weak that day.
After finishing the walk, I thought about visiting the onsen but didn’t have enough time before the next bus. Since buses don’t run often, missing one isn’t a good idea. Instead, I grabbed a bowl of udon at the tea house before heading to the bus stop.
The stop was a bit hidden, and I wondered if the driver would see me. Then I noticed a sign saying riders should wait at the corner and wave when the bus comes. So there I was, standing on the roadside, waving at the bus—it was definitely a fun little adventure.
Route Detail
Distance: 4.85km out & back from Nanokawa Bus Stop
Total elevation gain: 200m
Time: 1h 24m (total time with breaks 2h 00m)
Difficulty: Easy
Transportation & Miscellaneous
Train from Kochi Station to Sakawa Station ¥1920
Bus from Sakawa Station to Nanokawa Bus Stop ¥980
Food ¥1180
