Genbikei Gorge (厳美渓) is one of the two most stunning nature spots in Iwate Prefecture. Like most nature spots in Japan, it offers picturesque autumn foliage views. In winter, it is a snowy wonderland! But the most eye-catching thing about Genbikei Gorge has to be the Dango rice cake that flies between the gorge’s steep cliffs!
Table of Contents
- About Genbikei Gorge
- The Formation of Genbikei Gorge
- The Flying Dango Rice Cake (Kakkō Dango, かっこうだんご) and Kakkōya (郭公屋)
- Ways to Enjoy Genbikei Gorge
- The Cherry Blossom and Fall Foliage Season at Genbikei Gorge
- How to Get to Genbikei
- Sahara Glass Park
Tip: If you plan to spend a night close to the Genbikei Gorge, consider Toyoko Inn Ichinoseki Ekimae. The hotel in front of the Ichinoseki Station is clean and offers complimentary breakfast!
About Genbikei Gorge
Genbikei Gorge is also a great spot to appreciate cherry blossoms as well! And to add to the awesomeness, the trees are believed to have been planted in the early 1600s by Date Masamune, the regional ruler of the area and a famous samurai.
The view of Genbikei Gorge is so beautiful that Date Masamune praised its beauty the same as one of the Three Views of Japan, Matsushima Island, which was also under his reign at the time. It has been said that he loved the gorge so much that he visited Genbikei Gorge many times during his life.
Genbikei Gorge is located in the middle part of the Iwai River (磐井川). Within its 2km length, you get to enjoy a variety of natural landscapes.
Upstream, the rough torrent flows through rugged river terraces of different heights, forming several small waterfalls. But when you head downstream, the water flows so slowly that it seems to stay still!
Click HERE to skip to Genbikei Gorge’s access information.
The Formation of Genbikei Gorge
The area’s miraculous landscape didn’t just form overnight. It all started 9 million years ago when the rocks on both river banks and the bedrock of riverbanks were created by the volcanic activity of Mt. Kurikoma (栗駒山). Over time, the flow of the Iwai River slowly transformed the giant rocks into the bizarrely shaped river banks that we see today.
The Flying Dango Rice Cake (Kakkō Dango, かっこうだんご) and Kakkōya (郭公屋)
For many tourists, the most important reason to visit Genbikei Gorge is the rare scene of dango rice cakes “flying” between the gorge’s steep cliffs.
Obviously, people don’t just throw rice cakes in the sky. Instead, the rice cakes are delivered to you by a pulley connected to the rice cake shop, Kakkōya (郭公屋), located on the other side of the gorge.
Instead of shouting across the gorge, money is placed in a basket to order. Then the shop’s staff is notified by hitting the wooden board with the hammer placed next to the pulley. The staff will then pull the rope to receive your order and send the basket back with the rice cakes you ordered.
The rice cakes are sold at 500 yen for 3 skewers, each in a different flavor. You can also purchase the rice cakes from the shop directly. But why choose to miss out on this unique experience?
Enjoying the Rice Cakes at Kakkōya
Whether you purchase the rick cakes from the shop directly or through the traditional process, you can enjoy the dango at Kakkōya’s dining area. If you sit on the veranda, you can see the basket traveling back and forth clearly. Tea is also available through self-service.
Note: Remember to take off your shoes at the entrance.
Kakkōya Dango’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kakkōya Dango is open from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm or until sold out from mid-March to November.
- In 2024, it is open from the 15th of March to the 30th of November.
- It is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop, Genbikei.
Ways to Enjoy Genbikei Gorge
To fully enjoy the beauty of the Genbikei Gorge, we recommend starting your exploration from Tengu Bridge (天工橋). The bridge is located around the middle of the gorge, close to the bus stop, Genbikei. The views you will get from a round trip of different sides of the bridge tracking the river are completely different (‘ω’)ノ.
Also, before venturing out, ensure you capture the amazing view from the bridge! Kids around you who have grown up watching hero-themed movies or anime are going to say, “wow, it looks like the gorge was created by the death blow of a hero ” (´▽｀*).
The Downstream Course
If you are after a light walk, try the downstream round course! It will be a 30-minute free healing session provided by the murmuring sounds of the trees and river.
Goranba Bridge (御覧場橋)
While strolling down the river, you will pass through the only suspension bridge along the gorge, the Goranba Bridge. If you face where the Tengu Bridge is, climb up the stairs, and you will find a spot with a great view.
The scenery from there is so spectacular that in 1881, when the Japanese emperor traveled to the area, the locals arranged for him to appreciate Genbikei’s beauty from there!
The spot is, therefore, called “Goranba” (which means viewing place in Japanese), and the suspension bridge close to the spot is named Goranba Bridge.
While the bridge can be quite shaky for those crossing over, it is still safe for crossing. So if you are brave enough, make sure you start your adventure by walking towards the middle of the bridge, as we are sure you won’t be able to stop your fingers from pressing your camera’s shutter (^_-)-☆.
Teizan Zakura (貞山桜)
If you visit Goranba Bridge during spring, the Teizan Zakura or Teizan Cherry Blossom will bloom on the two sides of the river!
Note Teizan isn’t the botanical name of the cherry trees in the area. The trees are called Tenzai Zakura because Date Masamune was also known as Teizan. And since he planted the cherry blossoms that you see today, they were named Tenzai Zakura after him (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
The Upstream Course
After enjoying the peacefulness of the river’s downstream, head upstream to feel the energy of the great nature!
You might think the bridge wouldn’t be as strong based on the material used. However, surprisingly, even after big earthquakes destroyed many buildings nearby, the bridge somehow continued to maintain its structure Σ(ﾟДﾟ).
Chōjataki Bridge (長者橋)
Chōjataki Bridge isn’t just a gorgeous bridge. Back in 1939, there was a shortage of materials. Instead of the usual iron reinforcing bars, bamboo was used!
You might think the bridge wouldn’t be as strong based on the material used. However, surprisingly, even after big earthquakes destroyed many buildings nearby, the bridge somehow continued to maintain its structure Σ(ﾟДﾟ).
Note the photo on the right was taken at a spot beyond the Chōjataki Bridge.
Find the Amazing Geological Treasure – Ōketsu (甌穴) When You Trek Upstream
Ōketsu (pothole) is created by the gravel in the river swirling on the dacitic tuff made riverbed over millions of years. Such potholes are so rare that they have been designated as a natural monument in Japan. At Genbikei, some potholes are so big that the diameter is more than 1 meter wide!
Also, if you look carefully enough, you will find a few small stones in some of the potholes (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
The Cherry Blossom and Fall Foliage Season at Genbikei Gorge
If you fancy a colorful Genbikei Gorge, plan your visit based on the following dates below!
- Cherry Blossom Season: mid-April
- Fall Foliage Season: late October to early November
How to Get to Genbikei
It is a 20-minute bus ride from JR Ichinoseki Station (一ノ関駅).
From JR Ichinoseki Station, find bus stop no.9. You can catch bus routes no. 10 or no.11 and get off at Genbikei (厳美渓). Please find below the bus timetable for your reference (buses run on a different timetable between the end of December and early January each year). If you need help reading it, please contact us HERE, and we will get back to you shortly.
- Weekdays
- Weekends & Public Holidays
- If you read Japanese, we recommend you refer to HERE for the most up-to-date timetable. Iwateken Kōtsū tends to update its bus timetable more than once a year.
- If you don’t read Japanese, you can also use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
Tip: The last bus departing from Genbikei is around 6:30 pm, meaning if you plan to visit Genbikei in the afternoon, arriving at Genbikei by 3 pm would be highly recommended.
Important: Note there are currently no bus services from JR Hiraizumi Station (平泉駅).
Getting to JR Ichinoseki Station by Bullet Train
- From JR Sendai Station (仙台): 32 minutes
- From JR Morioka Station (盛岡): 43 minutes
- From JR Shin-Hanamaki Station (新花巻): 30 minutes
- From JR Shin-Aomori (新青森): 1 hour and 42 minutes
Flying into Iwate Prefecture
If you plan to fly into Iwate prefecture, Hanamaki Airport (花巻空港) will be your destination before you jump on the bullet train from JR Shin-Hanamaki Station (refer to the required time above) to get to JR Ichinoseki Station.
- From Nagoya: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- From Osaka: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- From Fukuoka: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Sahara Glass Park
While you wait for your bus back to JR Ichinose Station, you can kill some time by visiting Sahara Glass Park! You won’t miss it because as soon as you get off the bus from JR Ichinoseki Station, it is right in front of you! (´▽｀*).
The park is self-proclaimed to be the glass’s base in North East Japan. The entrance looks just like a theme park before a parade.
Here, you will see glass products from all around the world. Entry is free, but of course, if you want to bring back some souvenirs for yourself or for friends and families, be ready to get your wallet out!
You can see the glass artist making various glass items at the workshop at the back. Glass-making workshops are also available to join on the spot. However, note that the staff might not be able to speak English. So, ensure you have one of the Translation Apps on your phone.
- Sahara Glass Park is open from
- 9 am to 5:30 pm from April to November
- 9 am to 5 pm from December to March
Roadside Station Genbikei (道の駅 厳美渓) and Restaurant Pettankun (ペッタンくん)
Located just a 5 to 10-minute walk from Genbikei Gorge, the Roadside Station Genbikei is the perfect resting spot after exploring the gorge. It has a restaurant serving mochi cuisine and a museum filled with amazing exhibits.
For more information, refer to our Roadside Station Genbikei article!
Discover Other Attractions in Ichinoseki
Ichinoseki is a city with a wealth of beautiful natural landscapes perfect for a weekend getaway from the big city’s hustle and bustle. So, let’s travel around the city for a couple of spectacular spots await your discovery. You will also be amazed by the city’s unique mochi culture!
So refer to our Ichinoseki article to discover what more the city can offer!
Enjoy a Cultural and Scenery Feast in Hiraizumi Town
Hiraizumi town (平泉町), once Kyoto’s rival for its refined culture and elegant surroundings in the 12th century, still retains its charm and traces of former greatness. If you are after a cultural and scenery feast, it is the destination that you don’t want to miss!
To find out more about this town that isn’t too far away from Genbikei Gorge, refer to our article on Hiraizumi!
