Recommended Length: 2 Days
Take in the colorful leaves of the Kinugawa Ravine on foot or by riverboat. Then head to Edo Wonderland for a samurai-era experience.
View Leaves by Boat and Explore Edo Wonderland
Day 1
Kinugawa-Onsen Station
On Foot
1-minute walk
Boat Ride
Kinugawa River Boat Tour
Experience the Kinugawa River on a motorless boat guided by a skillful boatman. During the 40-minute ride, enjoy gentle stretches, thrilling moments on rapids, views of changing seasons, and diverse rock formations.
Water Activities
By bus
10 minutes from Kinugawa-Onsen Station by buses bound for Kawaji Onsen / Yunishigawa Onsen to the Ryuokyo-Iriguchi bus stop
Nature
Ryuo Valley
The Ryuokyo Valley runs for approximately 6 kilometers along the Kinugawa River, with the hot-spring resorts of Kawaji Onsen and Kinugawa Onsen at either end. The mountains here were formed in an undersea volcanic eruption roughly 22 million years ago. Over the millennia, the force of the river’s currents and cascading stones chiseled away at the landscape, sculpting the gorge into its present configuration. The characters for ryu-o mean “dragon king,” a name given the valley in 1950 because its winding course is said to resemble the auspicious image of an ascending dragon.
Rocks visible from the nature trail that follows the river through the gorge tell the story of three distinct geological phenomena that contributed to its creation. The rocks of Shiryu, the upriver section, are mostly purplish andesite created in the early stages of the eruption. In the middle section, Seiryu, the rocks are primarily green tuff, which is formed when ash and other rock fragments are ejected from a volcanic vent. The extreme heat of the ash fuses it with the rock fragments, and the presence of copper in the mix stains the rock a bluish green. The rocks of Hakuryu, the downriver section, are predominantly rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock characterized by its fine grain and a white appearance.
Each of the three sections showcases unusual formations shaped by erosion and the collapse of rocks as the river makes its way through the gorge. Although its flow may seem peaceful much of the time, the Kinugawa River earned its name—meaning “angry oni” (a mythical demon)—from the turbulence of the water and the noise of tumbling stones following heavy rainfalls.
Nature
Other
20 minutes from Ryuokyo Station to Kinugawa-Onsen Station. Transfer to a bus to Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura and ride for 20 minutes.
Theme Park
Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura
Experience the culture of the Edo period (1603-1867) at Edo Wonderland. Soak in the atmosphere of centuries ago as you stroll through the realistically recreated towns and samurai residences. Enjoy family-friendly events such as a thrilling ninja show, and dress up as a samurai or princess as you interact with period role-playing staff. Edo Wonderland combines history with expansive, theme park-style amusement for an extraordinary day out with plenty of fun photo opportunities.
Entertainment & Leisure
By bus
20 minutes on buses bound for Kinugawa-Onsen Station
Accommodation
Kinugawa Onsen
Kinugawa Onsen is actually made up of two hot springs—Taki Onsen on the west bank of the Kinugawa River, and Fujiwara Onsen on the east. It’s known for its relaxing properties and it attracts many travelers each year. Currently Kinugawa Onsen has over 80 hotels and ryokans, ranging from traditional Japanese style to modern Western style.
HOT SPRING
End of Day 1
Day 2
Kinugawa-Onsen Station
By bus
5 minutes by a free-of-charge shuttle bus
Ropeway
Kinugawa Onsen Ropeway
Ascend 300 meters in four minutes to the mountaintop observation deck with a panoramic view of Kinugawa Onsen and Mt. Tsukuba. Visitors can also feed dozens of monkeys.
Scenic Rides
By bus
5 minutes by a free-of-charge shuttle bus
Sightseeing
Tateiwa Rock
More than 70 meters high, Tateiwa was named for its shape, which resembles a warrior’s shield (tate in Japanese). An observatory platform at the top of the rock provides a panoramic view of the Kinugawa River and Mt. Keicho. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views of the scenery from a pedestrian-only suspension bridge between the area and Kinugawa Hot Spring Resort.
Nature
On Foot
10-minute walk