[Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture] A great touring spot to visit by motorcycle | Takachiho Gorge, where you can enjoy the scenery of a waterfall.

Starting from Moji in Kitakyushu City, which you cross from Honshu to Kyushu via the Kanmon Bridge or Kanmon Tunnel, Takachiho Gorge, which we’ll introduce this time, is approximately 200 km away via the shortest route via National Route 212. Located almost in the center of Kyushu, it’s located southeast of Mount Aso, a must-see for a great touring route. For the quickest route, we recommend the Kyushu Expressway. Passing through Fukuoka City and Kumamoto City, the distance is approximately 250 km, taking about three and a half hours. Another option is to take the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway, stopping off at hot springs in Beppu or Yufuin. For a winding highland road ride, consider incorporating the Yamanami Highway via National Route 212 or Prefectural Route 11.

The address and coordinates below are for Takachiho Gorge No. 1 Mishioi Parking Lot. Heading east on National Route 218 to Nobeoka City, the waterfall is just under 2km (approximately a 5-minute drive) on Prefectural Route 203 from Takachiho Roadside Station in Takachiho Town. It’s located just across the Gokase River. While the closest paid parking lot to the Takachiho Gorge tourist spot is the north side, there’s a free motorcycle parking lot on the right (north) just before crossing the Gokase River, which is recommended.

Takachiho Gorge (Gokase River Gorge) is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument. It features cliffs about 80-100m high stretching for approximately 7km. The gorge’s iconic Manai Falls are listed as one of Japan’s 100 best waterfalls. Enjoy the view from the viewing platform, stroll along the promenade, or rent a boat to get up close and personal with the impressive falls. Backraft tours are also available in Obashi Valley, upstream of the Gokase River, a few kilometers away. There are other places of interest, so we recommend checking out the Takachiho Town Tourism Association website below before you go. If you have time, there are plenty of great touring courses to choose from, including Miyazaki, Kirishima, and Cape Sata in Kagoshima, the southernmost point of Kyushu. There are plenty of environments to choose from. Takachiho Gorge, located near Aso, is also a great place to take a short break and cool off during the scorching summer season.

It’s both rugged and gentle, with views of waterfalls and valleys.

The scenery you can enjoy from a rental boat is also spectacular.

Takachiho Gorge Tourism Association website

URL: https://www.takachiho-kanko.info

204 Mukaiyama, Takachiho-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture (Approx. 46 minutes by car from Takamori Station on the Minamiaso Railway / Approx. 37.5km.