Yabakei Gorge
This place is well known for its Momiji (Japanese Maple) red leaves. More about Momiji Maple Leaves , Click here.
Hitome Hakkei / Eight Views at One Glance
You can enjoy beautiful scenery in Shin-Yabakei (Deep Yabakei) all year round, especially from the season of new leaves to that of autumn colors. Hitome Hakkei (“Eight Views at a Glance”) is the best viewpoint here. As the name suggests, you can see eight distinctive rock peaks from a single observatory. Other notable formations include Meoto Iwa (Married Couple Rocks), Eboshi Iwa (Noble’s Hat Rock), Sennin Iwa (Hermit Rock), and Kaibōrei (Sea-Viewing Ridge). A walking promenade is available for exploring the area, with several shops and restaurants serving soba noodles and steamed buckwheat manjūbuns.
Kyosyuho / Competitive Good Peaks
This is one of the representative scenic spots in Yabakei Gorge. A series of large peaks and unusual rock formations line the Yasukui River for about one kilometer.
Ao-No-Domon / Blue Tunnel
This is the tunnel that the Zen monk Zenkai dug by hand. During the Edo period, the river level had risen due to a newly built dam nearby, forcing local travelers to take a dangerous mountain path. When the traveling monk Zenkai visited the area, he was pained to learn that many people and horses had died while using the road. He decided to dig a tunnel through the rocky hillside. He collected donations to hire laborers and acquire tools—using only chisels and hammers—and began the work. After thirty years, a 342-meter-long tunnel was completed. Afterwards, people paid a toll to use the tunnel, making it the first toll road in Japan. During the Meiji era, the tunnel was reconstructed, and most of its original features were lost. However, you can still see some remains of the original Ao-no-Domon, such as a short underground passage.
FYI: The name “Ao” (Blue) comes from its color.
Rakan Temple
Rakan means “enlightened high monk.” This temple is located on the cliffs of Mount Rakan. It was founded about 1,300 years ago by the monk Hōdō, who came from India. Many rock caves have been carved into the slopes, housing five hundred rakan statues, each with a unique facial expression. These five hundred rakan monks are said to have been disciples accompanying the Buddha.
There are three principal temples in Japan dedicated to the five hundred rakan: this one, Tokuzō Temple in Tochigi, and Kenchō Temple in Kanagawa. Visitors can reach the upper areas of the temple either on foot via stairways or by using a cable lift.
Yabakei Bridge
Downstream of Ao-no-Domon, you will find a beautiful stone bridge with eight arches. Completed in 1923, it is the longest stone arch bridge in Japan.
Keiseki-en / Gorge Stone Garden
This Japanese garden was created to commemorate the completion of the Yabakei Dam. Along its paths, you can enjoy beautiful views of trees and a red bridge.
Steamed Buckwheat Buns
In Shin-Yabakei, several shops sell soba noodles and Soba Manjū—steamed buns made with buckwheat flour and filled with sweet bean paste. They are sold in wooden steamers, and you can enjoy them hot, straight from the steamer. Along with Niku-man, this is one of the few types of manjū typically served steaming hot.
