Guide
Ena Kyo is a breathtaking scenic area located along the middle reaches of the Kiso River, situated between Ena City and Nakatsugawa City in Gifu Prefecture. The area was named by the geographer Shiga Shigetaka in 1910. Today, the landscape is defined by an artificial lake created by the Oi Dam, where the beauty of natural geological formations meets the man-made engineering of the dam. Along both banks, a variety of uniquely shaped rocks and cliffs stand tall, sculpted by centuries of erosion.
The current landscape was shaped by the construction of the Oi Dam. Once a natural valley, the completion of the dam transformed it into an artificial lake, which paved the way for its development as a major tourist destination. The area also holds significant cultural depth, having been visited by famous poets and writers such as Kitahara Hakushu and Wakayama Bokusui. Kitahara Hakushu even composed the lyrics for "Ena Kyo Tonton Bushi," and a monument honoring his work can be found at Sazanami Park.
The most striking feature of Ena Kyo is the array of mysterious rock formations and cliffs along the banks. Notable formations include Byobu-iwa (Folding Screen Rock), Gunkan-iwa (Warship Rock), Shishi-iwa (Lion Rock), and Kagami-iwa (Mirror Rock). Additionally, the