Gokkei Valley

Overview

Gokkei Valley is located in the upper reaches of Makitani River, a tributary of the Takaharu River, spanning Soja City and Kaga County, Yoshibicho, Okayama Prefecture. Counted among Japan's five major scenic gorges, its magnificent scenery has captivated many tourists. The greatest highlight of Gokkei Valley is the continuous series of bizarre rocks and peaks formed by weathering and erosion along the granite joints. In particular, the main peak, Tenchuzan (literally, "Heavenly Pillar Mountain"), is impressive with its appearance soaring towards the heavens, making it a symbol of Gokkei. On the rock face directly below Tenchuzan, the characters "天柱" (Tenchu) are engraved. These were carved by two stonemasons over 14 days in 1801, commissioned by Take Moto Tentoan, a physician and calligrapher from Wake County, Bizen Province, who studied at a school founded by Rai San'yo in the late Edo period. Gokkei is also known as a famous spot for autumn foliage, where the trees along the stream beautifully change colors in the fall. Many tourists visit during the autumn foliage season to enjoy the beauty of the valley's vibrant colors. At the southern end of Gokkei Valley lies Gokkei-ji Temple, a small temple. Its mountain name is Tenchuzan, and it belongs to the Shingon sect, Daigo-ha branch. Ceramic komainu (lion-dog statues) stand guard at the entrance, creating an atmosphere of serene tranquility. In the past, the area around Tenchuzan featured chain and ladder asceticism training sites, serving as a place of religious practice. Gokkei Valley is truly a representative scenic spot in Okayama Prefecture, where you can feel both nature and history. Why not enjoy a leisurely stroll while taking in the magnificent beauty of the valley?