Gembikei Gorge

Overview

Located in the middle reaches of the Iwai River in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, Gembikei Gorge is a designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, offering stunning natural beauty. The 2-kilometer-long gorge features pumice tuff from Mount Kurikoma, eroded to create unique and strange rock formations. The riverbed is particularly notable for its countless potholes (pot holes), formed when stones became lodged in columnar jointing cracks in the rhyolite welded tuff layer, gradually eroding the rock into spherical shapes. These potholes are also geologically significant. Gembikei Gorge has long been cherished as a scenic spot. Date Masamune, who ruled the area, praised it as one of the two greatest scenic spots, alongside Matsushima. The remains of Rinsen-tei teahouse, associated with Masamune, still exist, and the poet Sugawara Masumi visited and left behind poems during the Edo period. In August 1877 (Meiji 10), during Emperor Meiji's northeastern tour, Prince Kitashirakawa viewed Gembikei Gorge from a bridge, which subsequently became known as the Goranba-bashi (Imperial Viewing Bridge). Other writers, such as Yukita Rohan, also visited and wrote about Gembikei Gorge. Gembikei Gorge features the Choja-taki Bridge, a concrete bridge using bamboo as reinforcement instead of steel bars. Built in 1939, it was registered as a tangible cultural property in 1999. Gembikei Gorge is also famous for its "flying dumplings," known as Kakuko Dango. These dumplings are uniquely sold by a rope system across the river, allowing for the exchange of dumplings and money. Well-maintained nature trails wind through the gorge, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the scenery, including unique and strange rocks, potholes (pot holes), and the clear stream. Gembikei Gorge also boasts numerous souvenir shops and restaurants, making it a perfect destination for a full day of enjoyment. Souvenir shops offer Kakuko Dango and local specialties, while restaurants provide dishes using local ingredients and stunning views. Gembikei Gorge is a captivating tourist spot where you can experience both the beauty of nature and a rich history.