While crowds of people headed to Hiroshima and Miyajima during Golden Week, I was determined to find somewhere off the beaten path. that information line. Quiet and peaceful is exactly what I found in northwest Hiroshima. The three waterfalls are located along 16 kilometers of hiking trails in an area known as Sandan Valley, or Sandankyo (三段峡), and this mysterious area is almost deserted during tourist seasons. Japan's busiest.
I arrived in depth, checked into the Sandankyo Hotel and went exploring for drugs along the way – the only street to get in and out of the city. The outside of the hotel is not too impressive, showering and dining here was one of the best experiences I have had in my eight years of travel. ryokan use vegetables grown on surrounding mountain peaks; Most of the vegetables are picked hours before, and each dish has its own unique flavor. The hotel is quiet and relaxing, and right after the trip come enjoy the hot water Hot springsI slept rhythmically on my futon bed while listening to the sound of the river outside.
The next morning I was greeted by a phenomenal breakfast, although grilled fish and vegetables aren't everyone's cup of tea at 7am. I started with the canyon, located right outside the hotel. The trail is nothing noteworthy, but it makes for an interesting exploration with a large, easy-to-understand map. After five minutes of walking, I am surrounded by the sounds of nature – the deep chirping of birds. lo, the waterfalls cascade down the rocks and the quiet products of the forest. The sun's rays shine through the foliage and down to the red rocks covered with green velvet. There are many trails, ranging from 30 minutes to four hours, and I chose a four-hour trail because I wanted to see all three waterfalls and have a great long hike. It's wonderful because the road has ups and downs, crossings over rivers and bridges, and you can feel the breath of nature. The shade of the pine trees and cold water are perfect conditions for a hike on a warm day in early May. After an hour of walking, there's a boat ride through the deep, cool, pearly waters. emerald past Kurobuchi (黒淵) and back on the trail where a simple teahouse sits between the two trails. I made the mistake of not bringing enough water, and then I regretted it, because unlike the rest of Japan, there are no vending machines inside the street. After another 90 minutes of hiking, I reached a boat that pulled me by chain through a ravine with lots of emerald green water to the second Nidanki Falls (二段滝). I ate a year of rice while I enjoyed the beautiful view of the waterfall down to the cool green breathing pool below. Everyone sitting on the landing pad was as fascinated by the scenery here as I was
Back on the main road, I started walking back to the access road with a detour to the last waterfall, Sandanki (三段滝). The third waterfall is a white cascade down to the blue of the lake below, and a colorful palette of red and brown rocks create a lush forest scene. The sun warms up a bit, but the water from the waterfall is a perfect, natural air conditioner. The two-hour walk back to the starting point was wonderful, and I made sure to grab a drink at the tea shop before returning to Kurobuchi to catch the bus back to Hiroshima.
You can easily make the trip from JR Hiroshima station and get off at Kabe station, then take a taxi to the area. Also, from the Hiroshima City Bus Center it is an 80 minute ride from the town center, and by center I mean a road that leads to a dead end where the entrance to the canyon begins. On both sides of the road are houses, and I recommend you to visit motel, Meals and hot water will not disappoint you.
Map of the canyons (English Japan)
http://www.akioota-navi.jp/kanko/sandankyo/sansaku1.html
Sandankyo Hotel (at the end of 249, on the river side into the canyon) – The page also has information about the trip and the schedule for the return trip.
http://www.sandankyo.co.jp/
