Oct 21, 2013 - 1 min read

Nishi Kuro Canyoning

One of Minakami's best

By C. Rio

Community writer

1 of 7

Checking the next anchor (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Euphoria (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Orange blurrs (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

The big falls (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Pay your respect before you go (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Nishi Kuro Falls (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Job well done (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Mid summer is a miserable time to go hiking in Japan. The heat from the sun makes even minimal exertion a battle to stay hydrated. The humidity thickens the air, laboring breathing and blurring otherwise spectacular views. When this happens in Minakami, there is only one thing to do - go canyoning. Nishi Kuro, at the foot of Tanagawadake, offers sanctuary from the heat with its cool clear water and deep caverns. The top section boasts an 18 meter waterfall that can only be tackled with rope and proper training. The lower section is much the same with another 12 meter man-made waterfall, followed by a long canyon section with emerald pools.