Kabadakyo is a gorge in the Kushida River valley, about 40 km upstream from Oishi-machi, Matsusaka City. The name “Kabadakyo” comes from the high quality and aroma of tea, shiitake mushrooms, ayu (sweetfish) and other products caught along the river. It is a nature park (Kahakikyo Prefectural Natural Park).
The gorge’s virgin forests are a highlight of the season, with fresh green leaves in spring and red leaves in fall, and flowers such as rhododendrons and azaleas can also be seen. Wild animals such as monkeys, deer, antelopes, and flying squirrels inhabit the area.
The headwaters of the gorge, especially near Haze in Iitaka Town, are called Oku-Kajikyo, a scenic area with flying waterfalls and strange rocks, and is considered particularly beautiful.
Miyanotani Gorge Trail
This is a representative canyon of the Okukabashikyo Gorge, with its flying waterfalls, strange rocks, precipitous cliffs, and virgin forests. There is also a waterfall with a drop of 60 meters.
It is a 4-km promenade to enjoy the canyon full of attractions such as virgin forests and cliffs. The most exciting part is the 60-meter high waterfall at the end of the trail, which follows the trail along the valley, crosses a long bridge, and heads in the right direction. You will never get tired of the sight of the narrow, white, spraying waterfall as it cascades down.
Crossing the bridge and proceeding to the left, you will come to the Wind Ori Falls, which is a waterfall that bends in the shape of a “ku” when the wind blows, and you can also enjoy the icefall, which has been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan.
Along the way, you can enjoy walking past “Inu-hopping rocks,” wild vegetables, and a red iron bridge over a cairn.
It takes about 90 minutes by car from the Matsuzaka IC of the Ise Expressway or about 120 minutes from the Koriyama IC of the Nishi-Meihan Expressway. There is space for about 8 cars at the Miyanotani entrance of the starting point.
Roadside Station Iitaka Station
It was registered as the first roadside station under Mie Prefecture.
Roadside station with hot springs, buckwheat noodle making, lawn games, etc.
Located along Route 166 running through Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, this roadside station was the first roadside station registered in Mie Prefecture in 1993. The clear stream of Kushida River flows in the vicinity. On the premises is the “Iitakano-yu,” a hot spring with 18 baths of 11 different types. At the Ajiraku Kobo, visitors can try their hand at making soba (buckwheat noodles) using 100% locally grown buckwheat flour. There is also a lawn park with sledding and other playground equipment, and a full range of other facilities.