Kiyotsu Gorge

Snow Country is awash with places of breathtaking natural beauty which is one of the reasons so many people visit the region. The dramatic changes between the four seasons also mean that the scenery is constantly changing, offering up different colors and atmospheres throughout the year.

Kiyotsu Gorge is one of the most famous of these. Situated in the Joshinetsu Highlands National Park it has been designated a natural monument. The river runs between huge cliff faces which have very distinctive rock formations and covered in local flora that show off the colors of the season.

It is one of the three best gorges in the whole of Japan and is particularly well set up as a tourist attraction. There is plenty of parking nearby and a tunnel has been cut into the cliff to enable visitors to fully enjoy the views on offer with several panoramic viewing stations allowing close ups of the surrounding beauty.

Inside the tunnel there are also displays, information, videos and photos that let you get a real feel for the area.

You truely feel as if you are out in the wilds but it is not far from either Tokamachi or Yuzawa so is very accessible, and with plenty of other attractions close by it makes for part of a fantastic day out.