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

A bridge leads into a short tunnel on the trail through Dakigaeri Gorge

The river here was once too acidic for any sort of wildlife to live in it

Despite the abnormal color, the water is now treated and can support some forms of life

Thirty minutes into the hike, you'll come across the Mikaeri Falls

Be sure to get a close-up look as the waterfall is actually three tiers

The path used to continue along the river but is now blocked by a recent landslide

The entrance to Dakgaeri Gorge
Join the discussion
Angela Bickell
5 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
9 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.
3 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
Sakura-lined Waterways in Tokyo
Activities -
2
Garyu Sanso: An Architectural Masterpiece in Harmony with Nature
Ehime - Sponsored -
3
The Art of Getting Lost: Sloped Roads & Archaic Tales
Tokyo -
4
Discover Japan's Allure With a Tokyo Cruise
Article - Sponsored -
5
Miyoko Schinner’s Vegan Japan Tour
Culture -
6
New Flavors Coming to Tokyo DisneySea This Spring
Chiba -
7
A Guide to Tono City and Hanamaki City
Iwate - Sponsored -
8
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s New Executive Lounge and “The Pagoda in the Clouds”
Tokyo - Sponsored -
9
KAMENOI HOTEL ASO PARK RESORT
Kumamoto - Sponsored -
10
Time Traveling on the Hitachi-no-kuni Long Trail
Ibaraki - Sponsored
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
3
March Grand Sumo Tournament (Osaka)
Osaka -
4
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
5
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Tokyo -
6
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
7
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
8
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
9
AnimeJapan
Tokyo -
10
Black Eggs of Owakudani, Hakone
Kanagawa