Rairaikyo Gorge - Miyagi, Japan
I wanted to visit Rairaikyo Gorge (磊々峡) after hearing how beautiful it is — lined with gorgeous trees, moss-covered rocks, and a crystal clear river running through the valley below. From Sendai Station, I took a bus that took about 35 minutes to reach the stop near the trailhead. The area is dotted with onsen hotels, and the short Rairaikyo Gorge trail is a popular stroll for people staying nearby.
The entrance to the gorge is right next to a fairly busy road, but as soon as I started descending to the first viewpoint, the traffic noise faded away and it suddenly felt quiet and peaceful. Even though I visited in winter and the trees were bare, the scenery was still beautiful — the green moss on the rocks and the flowing Natori River below made it feel calm.
The trail itself is only about 1 km long, so it didn’t take long to explore. After walking through the gorge, I wandered around the surrounding streets and onsen area for a bit before catching the bus back to Sendai Station. It was a short but refreshing little nature escape just outside the city.
Route Detail
Distance: 1.11km out & back from Akiu Sato Center Bus Stop
Total elevation gain: 38m
Time: 0h 20m (total time with breaks 0h 21m)
Difficulty: Easy
Transportation & Miscellaneous
Bus from Sendai Station to Akiu Sato Center Bus Stop ¥940
Vending Machine ¥140
