The Genbikei and Geibikei gorges 厳美渓 と 猊鼻渓
To the letter
Although only one letter differs in their names; the Geibikei and Genbikei gorges located at Ichinoseki in the Iwate prefecture are nonetheless very different from each other; each offering its own activities and gourmet pleasures.
The dilemma
During your stay in Ichinoseki , the desire to explore the surrounding gorges will surely be felt. Indeed, how can you resist an excursion in the heart of nature in the lush setting offered by the Genbike and Geibikei gorges? Take it for granted; it's impossible ! Yeah, there you go, your heart swings between the two. Yet although only one letter differs in their names; the Geibikei and Genbikeine gorges do not present the same type of landscape .
Where the waters of Geibikei are calm and clear ; in Genbikei, the many waterfalls are accompanied by spray and vigorous currents . The only constant in this? The extreme beauty of the landscapes in all seasons! Let us show you the pleasures and activities that await you in these two picturesque locations .
The Genbikei gorges
West of Ichinoseki, the Genbikei Gorge has been famous for its beauty for centuries. The Lord of the Date clan of Sendai, DateMasamune (1567-1636), considering it to be a place of extraordinary beauty, went there regularly. He would even have planted cherry trees to enhance the setting a little more. About fifty trees still bloom every spring. The Iwai River flowing there is tempestuous. Its strong drainable current and pebbles in eddies have dug over time large crevices in the rocks near the shore.
From April to October, it is possible to take a horse-drawn carriage ride all around the site. The beautiful views of these very narrow gorges are legion, which means that the site has been designated a place of picturesque beauty and a natural monument on the national level in 1927. During your stroll, you will come across the charming Kakko-ya café, which has delighted visitors' taste buds since 1878. If you happen to be on the other side; no need to turn back to cross the bridge. The kaggo-ya has thought of everything!
Flying cakes
The café offers a unique service allowing walkers on the other side to order and taste the house's dango thanks to a basket suspended in the air that crosses the gorges. Signal yourself by hitting the wooden plank on the ground with the adjoining mallet. A basket hanging from a rope leaving will reach you directly from the window on the 2nd floor of the Kaggo-ya. The price being indicated at the bottom of the basket, place the sum required for your order and return the basket by tapping the board again. It is again by air that the dango and the tea will reach you.
Les "dango volants" arrivent!
https://www.genbikei.info
Very often, the restaurant owner asks foreigners to indicate their nationality via an additional basket. Once informed, he will raise the appropriate flag in the window and broadcast your national anthem. What a singular scene to see " flying dango " crossing the ravine to the sound of the Marseillaise!
Discover: The dango
The Geibikei gorges
Here, no rough currents, the Satetsu river which crosses the Geibikei gorges is peaceful and clear. The multicolored carps are not mistaken and swim in these shallow waters. Located east of Ichinosaki, the Geibikei gorges are breathtaking. Some of its highest cliffs exceed 100 meters in height.
The shishigahama, a rock shaped like a lion's muzzle, is the origin of the name of the site; the kanji 猊shishi referring to the protective lion placed at the entrance of the temples . As you look up, you will see other oddly shaped rocks. The Sofu-gan and Shofu-gan rocks look like a man and a woman facing each other; each on a shore. The Geibikei gorges were also honored in 1927; date on which, they entered the ranking of the 100 most beautiful landscapes of the archipelago .
Calm cruise
The tranquility of the waters is conducive to traditional boat cruises. Flat-bottomed boats originally used for transporting horses have been converted into tourist attractions for a hundred years. Maneuvered by a boatman, the boats guide you for a 2 km ride in the gorges. It will cost you 1,600 yen (€ 12.50) for 90 minutes. It is even possible to have lunch on some of these boats. Ayus (freshwater fish) on a skewer or nabemono (Japanese fondue) are on this river menu.
Croisière sur la rivière Satetsu
くろまる さん
When the boat arrives at the end of the gorges, it stops for a while before turning back. Take the opportunity to try to grant one of your wishes by throwing a lucky stone in the hole of the giant cliff 124 meters high called "Daigeibi-gan". On the way back, the boatman will begin his traditional folk song, the Geibi oiwake, to end this wonderful experience.
After all this, you still can't make up your mind? What is the point of choosing, take advantage of these two splendid places!
Other gorges across Japan:
Address, timetable & access
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Address
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Timetable
Geibikei Gorges: take the JR Ofunato line from Ichinoseki station to Geibikei station then walk 5 minutes Gorges Genbikei: take the Gembikei / Mizuyama line bus at JR Ichinoseki station and get off at Genbikei stop -
Price
Free
