Takachiho Private Tour: Gorge, Shrines & Mythology

Walk beneath 100-meter cliffs and rowboat past a waterfall, then stand where the sun goddess hid in myth

A private 8-hour tour from Hososhima Port (Hyuga) with a government-licensed English-speaking guide and vehicle, designed for cruise passengers arriving at the port. You pick 3–4 sites from Takachiho's sacred landmarks: the V-shaped Takachiho Gorge with its 17-meter Manai Falls, the 1,900-year-old Takachiho Shrine among ancient cedars, and Amano Iwato Shrine, where Japanese mythology says the sun goddess Amaterasu hid in a cave. The guide tailors the route to your interests and explains the legends at each stop. Rowboat rides through the gorge are available seasonally but cost extra. Entrance fees to sites are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Takachiho's sacred sites and gorge

• Pick up at Hososhima Port or hotel
• Walk Takachiho Gorge path and see Manai Falls
• Optional seasonal rowboat ride in gorge
• Visit Takachiho Shrine and see married cedars
• Visit Amano Iwato Shrine and Amano Yasugawara cave
• Visit Kunimigaoka hilltop lookout for views

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at Hososhima Port or a nearby hotel, then heads inland to Takachiho Gorge. This V-shaped ravine was carved by ancient lava from Mt. Aso and rises 100 meters on both sides, with sheer basalt cliffs framing an emerald river below. You walk the gorge path with your guide, stopping for photos at the 17-meter Manai Falls as it plunges directly into the water: one of Japan's most photographed waterfalls. If conditions allow and you choose it, a seasonal rowboat ride glides you beneath the cliffs for a view most visitors never see (tickets purchased separately).

Takachiho is the birthplace of Japanese mythology, and your guide weaves the stories into each site. Takachiho Shrine, set among towering cedar trees and 1,900 years old, is dedicated to the deities of the region. The shrine is known for its nightly Yokagura sacred dance and the paired cedar trees said to bring good fortune to couples. Amano Iwato Shrine marks the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu is said to have hidden, plunging the world into darkness: a pivotal moment in Japan's creation story. Nearby, Amano Yasugawara is a sacred riverside cave where visitors stack stones while making wishes, creating an atmospheric spiritual space. Your guide shares the mythology as you walk each site.

Beyond the gorge and shrines, the itinerary includes Kunimigaoka, a hilltop lookout with 360-degree views over the Takachiho basin, especially stunning on autumn mornings when sea of clouds fill the valley. Kushifuru Shrine, surrounded by giant cedars, marks where Ninigi-no-Mikoto, grandson of Amaterasu, is said to have descended from heaven: one of the most sacred sites in Japanese creation myth. You also have the option to ride the Amaterasu Railway, a super cart that runs along the historic Takachiho Railway line and crosses one of Japan's highest railway bridges, offering thrilling views above the valley. Your guide chooses which 3–4 sites best fit your time and interests, so no two tours are identical.

What’s included

• Private vehicle sized to your group (microbus, van, or mini van).
• government-licensed English-speaking guide for the full 8 hours.
• customizable itinerary of 3–4 sites chosen from Takachiho Gorge, Takachiho Shrine, Amano Iwato Shrine, Kunimigaoka hilltop, Kushifuru Shrine, and the Amaterasu Railway option.
• pickup at Hososhima Port or a nearby hotel.

Options for this experience

3 options

Microbus (up to 15 passengers)Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30Microbus (up to 15 passengers), pickup is included

Van (seats up to 7 passengers)Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30Van (seats up to 7 passengers), pickup is included

Minivan (up to 4 passengers)Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Japanese · 8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30Minivan (up to 4 passengers), pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years): free · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Japan Guide Agency

Is this one for you?Choose the microbus if your group is larger than four and you want to share the cost; pick the van for a family of five to seven traveling together; select the mini van for an intimate group of up to four who want a more personalized pace through the sites. The 8-hour window is what fits the gorge walk, two shrines, and one or two additional stops inside a single port call, so you return to the ship on time.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years): free; Infant (under 6): free.

What is Takachiho Gorge like when you walk it?

Takachiho Gorge is a V-shaped ravine with sheer basalt cliffs rising 100 meters on both sides, formed by ancient volcanic lava from Mt. Aso. You walk a path along the emerald river, stopping at the 17-meter Manai Falls as it cascades into the water. The gorge is narrow and dramatic, and your guide points out photo spots and explains the geology and mythology as you go.

Can you take a rowboat through the gorge?

Rowboat rides are available seasonally and glide you beneath the cliffs for a view from the water level, but rowboat tickets are not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately at the gorge.

What are the two main shrines you visit?

Takachiho Shrine is a 1,900-year-old shrine set among towering cedar trees, known for its nightly Yokagura sacred dance and paired cedar trees said to bring good fortune to couples. Amano Iwato Shrine is dedicated to the myth of the sun goddess Amaterasu, who hid in a nearby cave. Your guide explains the creation story and shows you Amano Yasugawara, the sacred riverside cave where the gods gathered to lure her back out.

How many sites do you visit, and can you choose which ones?

You choose 3–4 sites from the itinerary based on your interests and time. Options include the gorge and falls, both shrines, Kunimigaoka hilltop with views and sea of clouds, Kushifuru Shrine in the cedars, and the Amaterasu Railway cart ride across a high railway bridge. Your guide tailors the day to what you want to see.

What size vehicle and group are you in?

You choose between a microbus for up to 15 passengers, a van for up to 7, or a mini van for up to 4. The vehicle is private to your group, and your guide is a government-licensed English speaker who travels with you the entire 8 hours.

Are entrance fees and meals included?

Entrance fees to the shrines and sites, lunch, and rowboat tickets are not included in the tour price. You pay these separately as you visit. The tour includes the private vehicle, guide, and customized route planning.