Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest / Sengokudaira Recreation Forest：Forestry Agency

Mt.Fuji-view from Sobatsubuyama
Mitsuai
Forest railway vehicle on display at Osaki-zaka
Dream Suspension Bridge
Dream Suspension Bridge
Shiroyashio-Rhododendron quinquefolium
Sumata-kyo Gorge

Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest / Sengokudaira Recreation Forest

【Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest】 251.87ha
【Sengokudaira Recreation Forest】 265.42ha

Elevation [Hiryu-kyo](Lowest)450m (Overall)550m (Highest)1,295m
[Sengokudaira](Lowest)1,300m (Overall)1,400―1,600m (Highest)1,665mm

Sumata Gorge, Dream Suspension Bridge, and Hiryu Bridge

Savor the beauty of the cobalt blue gorge as it weaves its way through the depths of the mountains

Sumata Gorge, Yume-no-Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge, and Hiryu Bridge

Savor the beauty of the cobalt blue gorge as it weaves its way through the depths of the mountains

Newest information
Area
Activities
Overview
Latest Information
Usage Guide
Facility
Map
Address
Access
(Distances and times are
provided as a guide only)
Management office
contact details
Information on Other Local
Tourist Attractions
Official Tourist Information
Recreation Forest
Management Committee
Supporters
Other

Newest information: CHECK
Please visit official tourism websites for the latest updates and information.

Video: Drone Footage

Area: Kanto

Activities: Autumn leaf viewing Birdwatching Mountain climbing (Sengokudaira Recreation Forest only / Includes surrounding area) Guided tours (Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only)(charge applies, reservation required)(No foreign languages spoken) Forest railway remains(Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only) Bathing facilities(Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only)(Outside the forest) Minami Alps Library(Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only)(Outside the forest) Astronomical observatory(Sengokudaira Recreation Forest only)(Outside the forest)

Overview

Geographical/topographical features: In recognition of the majestic and unspoiled natural environment of the southern part of Japan’s Southern Alps, this area has been designated as the Okuoi Prefectural Natural Park and the Minami Alps UNESCO Eco Park. The more remote mountain recesses at a higher altitude than this area have an even richer natural environment and have consequently been designated as the only wilderness area on Honshu.
[Hiryu-kyo] This area, famous as the home of Sumata Gorge, is located at the confluence of the Sumata River ― a tributary of the Oi River ― and the Oma River. The steep V-shaped valley formed by lifting and erosion over many years offers spectacular views. Viewed from the Dream Suspension Bridge (8 m high and 90 m long) spanning the dam-lake glow vivid cobalt blue, this area’s distinctive beauty sculpted by Mother Nature herself makes visitors feel as though they are in another world.
The Oma Dam was built around the 1930s, taking advantage of the topography of the Sumata River. The Tyndall effect renders the surface of the lake formed by the dam a vivid cobalt blue (this is due not only to the clarity of the water, but also to the fact that the riverbed is almost white; as light travels down to the depths of the water, light with longer wavelengths, such as red and orange, is absorbed along the way, while light with shorter wavelengths, such as blue and indigo, reaches the bottom unobstructed and is reflected back clearly by the color on the riverbed, causing it to appear a beautiful shade of blue). Viewed from the Dream Suspension Bridge (a thrilling pedestrian suspension bridge 8 m high and 90 m long, which has received superb reviews on international travel websites) spanning the lake, this area’s distinctive beauty sculpted by Mother Nature herself makes visitors feel as though they are in another world.
[Sengokudaira] The starting point for a visit to this area is also the starting point for a day hike or mountain climbing: Mount Yamainu-dan, a flat ridgeline offering panoramic views, including magnificent vistas of the Akaishi Mountains.
Historical/cultural features: [Hiryu-kyo]
While the rich natural environment of the southern part of Japan’s Southern Alps is still in evidence, this area was once home to a thriving forestry industry based around timber production. The timber used to build Sunpu Castle, Edo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace is said to have been produced from trees felled in this area during the Edo period. Following the dam’s development, transport of timber switched from waterways to the forest railway, which ran through this area until 1968. The legacy of that railway is the Hiryu Bridge and the hiking trails, which follow the path of the old forest railway line. Dream Suspension Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge that has won great acclaim among tourists. Shizuoka Prefecture has registered the bridge on its list of “Angel Power Spots” (places rumored to bring good fortune in terms of love, marriage, and fertility) and it is said that women who stand in the middle of the bridge and pray for love will see their dream or wish granted.
Climate, flora and fauna: The area is cool, with an annual average temperature of 11°C. With over 3,000 mm of precipitation annually, this is a humid region. Visitors can see many natural forests consisting mainly of deciduous broad-leaved trees such as buna, Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) and mizunara, Japanese oak mizu-nara (Quercus crispula Blume). Its diverse array of wild creatures includes mammals such as kamoshika, Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) and tsukinowaguma, Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus); and wild birds such as kumataka, mountain hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) and yamagara, varied tit (Sittiparus varius).
Attractions: [Hiryu-kyo]
This area has several hiking trails, including the main Promenade Trail, and entry to ordinary vehicles is restricted, enabling visitors to enjoy the great outdoors to their heart’s content amid a leisurely atmosphere a world away from everyday life. From Dream Suspension Bridge and Hiryu Bridge, visitors can savor magical views of the dam’s lake as it weaves between the mountains, as well as the old forest railway line. Relaxing in one of Sumata-kyo Onsen’s hot spring baths is the best way to unwind after a strenuous hike.
During peak season, when Dream Suspension Bridge is at its busiest, a one-way system is imposed for pedestrians crossing the bridge. Visitors should note that in this situation, they will be required to negotiate some steep steps after crossing the bridge.
[Sengokudaira]
As well as day hikes from Mount Yamainu-dan to Mount Sobatsubu and Mount Takatsuka, visitors can enjoy observing flowers such as yamazakura (Prunus jamasakura) and shiroyashio (Rhododendron quinquefolium), and spectacular displays of autumn leaves in the vicinity of Mount Yamainu-dan and Sengokudaira.

Latest Information

Events: Late October every year: Sumata Gorge Momiji (autumn leaves) Festival
December 6 & 7 every year: Sumata-kyo Onsen Hot Spring Thanksgiving Festival
Warnings: ・Inoshishi, wild boar (Sus scrofa leucomystax) and deer (Cervidae) are commonly sighted in this area. Please refrain from going into the mountains alone without due consideration.
・There is a risk of falling rocks after spells of bad weather, so please take care when passing through this area.

Usage Guide

Entrance fee: None
Opening seasons and hours: [Hiryu-kyo] Open all year
(Sumata-Gorge Promenade Trail : Open from dawn to dusk)
(Environmental Beautification Donations and Information Desk: 8am30-4pm of weekends and public holidays of April-December, 7 days a week during the fall foliage season)
[Sengokudaira] Open from dawn to dusk of April-November; Minami-akaishi Forest Road is closed to traffic in winter
Accommodation options: [Hiryu-kyo]
Accommodation facilities in the Sumata-kyo Onsen hot spring district
[Sengokudaira]
Accommodation facilities in Kawane-honcho

Facility: Toilets and drinking fountains(Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest)
Toilets(Sengokudaira Recreation Forest) Walking trail Parking lot(Outside the forest) Observation platform (Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only) Visitor center (staffed only)(Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only)(The Environmental Beautification Donations and Information Desk. It is staffed full-time from 8am30-4pm on weekends and national holidays between April and December, and every day during the Golden Week holidays and when the autumn leaves are at their peak. Staff provide information about walking trails that include the Yume-no-Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge, as well as other attractions in the Sumata Gorge area.) Vending machine(Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only) Shop (Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only)(Outside the forest) Restaurant (Outside the forest) Campsite and/or cabins (Sengokudaira Recreation Forest only)(Outside the forest)(Huts that can accommodate around 50 people are available, but it should be noted that these are unstaffed.) Free public wireless LAN (Wi-Fi)(Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest only)(Outside the forest) Accommodation facilities (Hotels / Japanese inns)(Outside the forest)

Map: pdf

Address: Senzu, Kawane-honcho, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture (both Hiryu-kyo and Sengokudaira)

Access (Distances and times are provided as a guide only)

By public transport

・[Hiryu-kyo]
Shinkanaya Station（Oigawa Railway: approx. 67 minutes） →Senzu Station（Oigawa Railway Bus: approx. 45 minutes）→Sumata-kyo Onsen（on foot: approx. 25 minutes）→Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest
・[Sengokudaira]
Shinkanaya Station（Oigawa Railway: approx. 50 minutes）→Tanokuchi Staation（by Taxi: approx. 50 minutes / approx. 20km）→Sengokudaira Recreation Forest

By car

・[Hiryu-kyo]
Shin-Tomei Expressway Shizuoka SA（approx. 37km / approx. 60 minutes） →Senzu Station（approx. 15km / approx. 30 minutes）→Sumata-kyo Onsen（on foot: approx. 25 minutes）→Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest
Shin-Tomei Expressway Shimadakanaya IC（approx. 40km / approx. 60 minutes）→ Senzu Station（approx. 5km / approx. 30 minutes）→ Sumata-kyo Onsen（on foot: approx. 25 minutes）→Hiryu-kyo Recreation Forest
・[Sengokudaira]
Sin-Tomei Expressway Shimadakanaya IC（approx. 48km / approx. 90 minutes）→ Sengokudaira Recreation Forest
* As National Route 362 from Shizuoka SA of Shin-Tomei Expressway to Senzu Station is very narrow and sometimes partly closed for construction, it is strongly recommended to drive the route from Shimadakanaya IC of Shin-Tomei Expressway to Senzu Station

[Hiryu-kyo]
Space for approximately 500 standard-sized cars Free of charge (however, a charge of ¥500 per standard-sized car applies during the Golden Week holiday in late April / early May and when the autumn leaves are out in fall)
[Sengokudaira]
Space for 25 standard-sized cars Free of charge

Nearby tourist facilities

・[Hiryu-kyo] Sumata-kyo Onsen
・[Hiryu-kyo] Sotomori Shrine
・[Sengokudaira] Mount Ofuda

Google Map

Management office contact details: Shizuoka District Forest Office
TEL：054-254-3401
https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/kanto/sizuoka/index.html

Information on Other Local Tourist Attractions: ー

Official Tourist Information: Kawane Honcho Tourist Association[External link]

http://www.okuooi.gr.jp

Recreation Forest Management Committee: Committee name and contact details: Kawane-honcho Sumata-kyo District Resource Usage Committee
(Administration Bureau: within the Tourism, Commerce, and Industry Department, Kawane-honcho Municipal Office)
Tel: 0547-58-7077
FAX:0547-59-3116

Supporters: ー

Other: ー

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