It takes a 15-minute taxi ride (or free shuttle bus during the fall foliage season) from Kakunodate station to reach the majestic scenery of Dakigaeri Gorge but the effort and expense is well worth it. Follow the old logging trail through tunnels and across bridges as it hugs the cliffs edge, high above an iridescent blue river. A recent landslide has made it impossible to through-hike the entire 8-kilometer stretch but the trail's current terminus is the impressive Mikaeri Waterfall, a hidden cascade you'll be happy you took the time to track down. Autumn is the busiest season but the rest of the warmer-weather months provide fantastic views with very few crowds.
- 1 min read
Dakigaeri Gorge
Easy hiking in a stunning valley
By Mandy Bartok
Community writer
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Angela Bickell
4 years ago
We will dock in Akita Japan in August and would like to know how to get to the Gorge from the cruise ship terminal.
Bonson Lam
8 years ago
Love the stunning aquamarine colors of the lake!
I have to say, Bonson, this is arguably one of the prettiest places I have ever been in Japan.
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