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Ryuokyo Canyon, Kanto Travel Guide

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Explore Ryuokyo Canyon's dramatic cliffs, lush trails, and stunning waterfalls in Nikko National Park. A scenic escape into Japanese nature.

Ryuokyo Canyon, also known as Dragon King Gorge, is a stunning ravine carved by the Kinugawa River in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. Over millennia, the river eroded volcanic rock, creating dramatic cliffs and unique rock formations. Hiking trails wind through the canyon, offering breathtaking views of the gorge, waterfalls, and vibrant foliage, especially during autumn.

A brief summary to Ryuokyo Canyon

Eve
From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Ryuokyo Canyon.

  • Wear comfortable hiking shoes to navigate the trails, which can be uneven in places.
  • Visit during autumn (late October to mid-November) for the most spectacular fall foliage.
  • Check the train and bus schedules in advance, as services to Ryuokyo Station and the Ryuokyo Iriguchi bus stop are infrequent.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning views of the gorge, waterfalls, and surrounding nature.
  • Start your hike from Ryuokyo Station and walk north towards Kawaji Onsen for the best views and a mostly flat trail.

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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Kinugawa Onsen Station, take the Yagan Railway to Ryuokyo Station. The trip takes about 12 minutes. Alternatively, take a Nikko Kotsu bus from Kinugawa Onsen Station to the Ryuokyo Iriguchi bus stop, a 10-minute ride. From either the station or bus stop, it's a short walk to the hiking trail entrance. Expect to pay around ¥310 for the train or ¥300 for the bus.

  • Walking

    From Ryuokyo Station, exit the station and walk towards the parking lot. You'll see vendors and eateries on your right. A narrow alleyway in the middle of these leads down to the gorge. Follow the signs for the Ryuokyo Nature Trail. The walk to Nijimi Bridge, a highlight of the trail, takes about 5 minutes.

  • Parking

    A free city parking lot is available near Ryuokyo Station. The capacity is approximately 100 cars, and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking lot is open 24/7 with no gate. From the parking lot, it's a short walk to the trailhead.

Discover more about Ryuokyo Canyon

Ryuokyo Canyon, whose name translates to Dragon King Gorge, is a breathtaking natural wonder carved by the Kinugawa River in Nikko National Park. The canyon stretches for approximately 3 kilometers between the Kinugawa and Kawaji Onsen hot spring resorts. Its name comes from the resemblance of the canyon's winding shape to a flailing dragon.The canyon's origins trace back 22 million years to undersea volcanic activity. Over vast stretches of time, the Kinugawa River eroded the volcanic rock, sculpting the dramatic cliffs and unique rock formations visible today. The gorge is divided into three sections: Shiryu (White Dragon Gorge) with white rhyolite, Seiryu (Blue Dragon Gorge) with green tuff, and Hakuryu Ravine accented with purplish andesite.Visitors can explore the canyon via well-maintained hiking trails, the most popular being the Musasabi Bridge Tour Course, which takes about 1.5 hours. The trails offer stunning views of the gorge, including the Nijimi Falls, where rainbows form in the mist on sunny days. Other highlights include the Goryuo Shrine, dedicated to a sacred dragon god, and the Kame-ana (Turtle Hole), a uniquely shaped rock formation. The best times to visit are during the fresh greenery of early summer or the vibrant fall foliage from late October to mid-November.

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