Inohae-no-Taki Falls Recreation Forest：Forestry Agency

JAPANESE

Conandron ramondioides
Suzukaze-Bridge
hakeai-no-taki Falls
Five-tiered falling Goju-no-taki
Erasmia pulchella nipponica

Inohae-no-Taki Falls Recreation Forest

71.80ha

Lowest point:200m／Mainly 200-250m／Highest point:350m

A tranquil Therapy Road amid one of Japan's foremost virgin laurel forests

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.

Area: Kyushu

Activities: Flower-viewing Autumn leaf viewing Waterfall viewing Birdwatching Picnics Areas for paddling/fishing Remains of Forest Railway Guided tours (Available in Japanese only) Hot Spring(Outside the forest) Forest therapy (Available in Japanese only)

Overview

Geographical/topographical features: Among the attractions of Inohae Gorge are stunning mountain torrents formed by seven clusters of waterfalls ― most notably the five-tiered Goju-no-taki Cascade ― and strangely shaped rocks, surrounded by virgin evergreen broad-leaved trees (laurels) such as chinquapin (Castanopsis); tabu (Machilus thunbergii); and live (evergreen) oaks.
Historical/cultural features: In the feudal era, this area was a thriving center for the production of large-diameter specimens of sugi, Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), which were much in demand for processing into the benkozai timber used in shipbuilding. The forestry industry continues to thrive here today, with the production of the renowned Obisugi brand of cedar, which is now used for constructing buildings, rather than ships. Located in this region, Inohae Gorge is home to a precious virgin laurel forest.
As part of efforts to develop this area after the war, a small-scale hydroelectric power generation facility was built and about 5 km of railtrack was laid to carry Obisugi cedar and other timber from the upstream part of Inohae Gorge to the entrance to the valley. Both of these facilities were in use until the mid-1960s or thereabouts. The remains of this precious industrial heritage can still be seen in the Recreation Forest today.
Climate, flora and fauna: Inohae Gorge is famed as a treasure trove of mosses, with around 300 varieties growing wild and in abundance, so it is an area considered particularly precious in scientific terms.
Attractions: Inohae Gorge has been designated as a Forest Therapy Base and the Moss Road footpath runs alongside the valley's crystal-clear streams for 3 km from the car park. Ending up at the five-tiered Goju-no-taki Cascade, this path makes for an ideal hiking trail that takes about 90 minutes at a leisurely pace. It also offers the chance to encounter traces of the area's precious historic heritage along the way, including the remains of the hydroelectric power station's water tank and dam, the forest railway, and a charcoal kiln. Get away from the hustle and bustle of city life to take a sun-dappled stroll surrounded by birdsong and babbling brooks, while soaking up the valley's history. By the time you leave again, you should be feeling much more at peace. Do come and enjoy the Therapy Road, which enables visitors to appreciate nature throughout all four seasons.
At the entrance to the valley, there is also a free footbath fed by the hot spring.
If you wish to try forest therapy, please visit the websites of NPO “Gonharu” or Nichinan City Tourist Association. Everyone is welcome, including those new to forest therapy.

Latest Information

Warnings: ・Hornets (Vespa mandarinia); mamushi, Japanese pit viper (Gloydius blomhoffii); and ticks (Acari) may be encountered in the forest, so please take care to avoid leaving areas of skin exposed.
・Please mind your head and your footing near mountain streams, due to falling rocks and collapsing banks beside the path.

Usage Guide

Opening seasons and hours: Entry is free of charge. There are no restrictions on the hours of opening, but we request that visitors refrain from entering the Recreation Forest after sunset, because there is no lighting.
Accommodation options: Visitors can stay at hotels in Nichinan City or make a daytrip from Miyazaki City.

Facility: Toilets and drinking fountains Walking trail Parking lot Vending machine

Map: pdf

Address: Gonohara, Kitago-cho, Nichinan-shi, Miyazaki Prefecture

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

By public transport

・From Nichinan Station on the JR Nichinan Line, take a Miyazaki Kotsu Bus (30minutes: Kitago Route) and alight at Sakura Arena.
The Recreation Forest is 5 km (1 hour on foot) from Sakura Arena.
・From Kitago Station on the JR Nichinan Line, walk to Nichinan City Office Kitago-cho Branch Office (10 minutes on foot)→Sakura Community Bus makes four round trips per day except Sunday and Holidays (about 15 minutes by bus to Inohae)

By car

・Miyazaki City → Route 220 (Nichinan Coast) → Aoshima / Udo Shrine → (Kazeta, Nichinan City) Pref. Route 434 → Pref. Route 28 → Pref. Route 429 → Inohae Gorge (Kitago-cho, Nichinan City) (65 km / 1 hour 30 minutes)
・Miyazaki Expressway Tano IC → (southbound) Pref. Route 28 → Pref. Route 429 → Inohae Gorge (Kitago-cho, Nichinan City) (30 km / 45 minutes)

Parking lot capacity: space for 70 cars Parking charges: free of charge

Nearby tourist facilities

・Hanatate Park: Located on Mount Hanatate, which has an elevation of 489 m, this 18-ha park becomes a riot of blossom in spring, when the many Somei-yoshino, Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis) and yamazakura, Japanese mountain cherry (Prunus jamasakura) trees that line its extensive grounds are in full bloom.
・Hachinosu Park (15 minutes by car): Located on the banks of the Hiroto River, encircling its crystal-clear streams, this park is open throughout the year, enabling visitors young and old to enjoy the great outdoors. After a game of tennis or other outdoor activities, why not relax in a hot spring and then have a barbecue for dinner with family and friends?
・Kitago Onsen (20 minutes by car): This hot spring district located in an idyllic valley is reputed to be a “bijin-yu” ― a hot spring that confers beauty on those who bathe in its waters.
・Obi Castle (about 30 minutes by car): One of 100 castles chosen by the Japan Castle Foundation for inclusion in its Selected Castles of Japan, this castle features a reconstruction of its main gate (Ote-mon) and houses the Obi Castle History Museum. Once the thriving castle town of Obi Domain, which boasted a rice yield of 50,000 goku (approximately 7.5 million kg), Obi has been nicknamed “Little Kyoto in Kyushu.” In 1977, it became the first area in the Kyushu and Okinawa region to be designated by the national government as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The stone and mud walls of a number of former samurai residences still survive today, along with the old merchant quarter, creating a most charming townscape.

Google Map

Management office contact details: Miyazaki-Nanbu District Forest Office

TEL：0987-25-1115

https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/kyusyu/miyazakinanbu/index.html

Information on Other Local Tourist Attractions: Nichinan City Tourist Association [External link]

http://www.kankou-nichinan.jp/

Official Tourist Information: NPO “Gonharu” [External link]

http://gonharu.info/

Recreation Forest Management Committee: Committee name: Inohae-no-Taki Falls Recreation Forest Management Committee
Contact details: Industry and Economy Section, Nichinan City Office Kitago-cho Branch Office 2010 Gonohara-otsu, Kitago-cho, Nichinan-shi 889-2492
Tel: 0987-55-2114
FAX:0987-55-3332

Supporters: ー

Other: ー

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