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I’ll admit it. After I was on my technique to Iwate prefecture’s Geibikei gorge from Kakunodate in Akita, I had an incorrect impression. Not desirous to commit the time to taking a ship journey, I believed I’d merely {photograph} the gorge (and the boats going up and down it) from the shore, after which make my technique to the following cease of on my listing.
Actuality, in fact, has a humorous means of interfering with plans. Spoiler alert: The one technique to take even halfway-decent photos of Geibikei is to journey a ship into the gorge itself.
Under, I’ll be sharing extra knowledge on this vein, in addition to sensible tips on how you can make your Geibikei tour occur. I hope you’re able to get began!
Why I Waited to Go to Geibikei
Earlier than I clarify why I discover Geibikei value visiting, I ought to let you know why it took me so lengthy to get there. Initially, I believed I’d go throughout my 2013 winter journey, on my means from Hokkaido and the Tohoku area right down to Tokyo. Sadly, a mixture of time (I didn’t have a lot) and the considerably sophisticated logistics of reaching the Gorge throughout the month of February made me resolve to place it off.
In terms of your favourite desk video games, the thought course of concerned in how to decide on a dependable web site requires numerous analysis and calculation, in an effort to maximize your probabilities of profitable large. Likewise, I decided that along with being simpler by way of transportation (I may lease a automobile and never fear about winter tires or street closures resulting from snow and ice), an autumn journey (on this case, the autumn of 2025) would additionally go well with me higher aesthetically.
Make the Most of Geibikei
Go together with a rental automobile
Though you may attain Geibikei by public transportation, having your personal set of wheels will make your journey a lot simpler. For starters, it will let you seek the advice of the Geibikei web site upfront and exactly time your arrival with boat departure instances, which isn’t all the time doable by prepare or bus.
And at the side of different locations
One other benefit of renting a automobile? Along with making a lot sooner work of the Morioka to Geibikei journey, it will empower you to go to different locations close by. I’m talking particularly about Hiraizumi, which is half-hour away by automobile, and has grow to be one in every of my favourite locations in Japan over time.
Go to in autumn if you happen to can
Autumn is essentially the most stunning time of yr to go to Geibikei, even when (like me) you get right here a bit earlier than the leaves attain their peak. It additionally sees usually sunny climate, and the roads to the positioning (whether or not or not you entry them through your personal personal automobile) are in good situation with out snow.
(Or in winter if you happen to can’t)
However, I did initially intend to take my Geibikei day journey throughout winter, so I can’t advocate towards that. Once more, on this occasion, you’ll merely wish to be sure you finances enough time and costume warmly—and that if you happen to do drive, you lease a automobile with winter tires.
The boat journey is the gorge
For those who aren’t planning to take a ship journey, you frankly shouldn’t go to Geibikei—and never simply because boat is the one technique to attain the long-lasting Sofu-gan and Shofu-gan “wedded rocks” on the finish of the gorge. Slightly, you may’t {photograph} any of the gorge’s notable surroundings with out boating into it; climbing isn’t doable as a result of steepness of the partitions.
Different Issues to Do in Iwate Prefecture
Iwate-ken is one in every of my favourite locations to go to in Japan—I by no means shut up about it, as you’ll know if you happen to learn this web site with any regularity. Listed here are just a few of the the reason why:
- The closest city to Geibikei is Hiraizumi, which I’ve written is sort of a northern model of Kyoto with extra bushes and fewer vacationers.
- Morioka (the biggest metropolis in Iwate) can be nothing to shake a stick at, notably if you happen to give your self a while to discover, as an alternative of simply utilizing it as a base.
- I like driving the Sanriku Coast, the place the 2011 Tsunami hit, however didn’t destroy the kindness and resiliency of the native folks.
As you may see, deciding how you can get to Geibikei Gorge is simply the start of your job at hand. You’ll must slender down all of the locations in Iwate you may go!
Different FAQ About Visiting Geibikei
Is Geibikei Gorge value it?
Geibikei is certainly value it, however there are some things to maintain in journey. Firstly, it takes a while to achieve, whether or not you go by prepare and bus or rental automobile; you additionally want at the least an hour or two to really take the boat journey. Secondly, whereas it’s stunning year-round, it’s most compelling as a vacation spot in autumn or amid the deep snows of winter.
How a lot does a Geibikei Gorge boat journey value?
As of 2026, the worth for a Geibikei boat journey are ¥1,800 for an grownup and ¥900 for a kid. That is payable immediately on the ticket window, although it’s doable to buy tickets on-line and upfront if you happen to favor a extra methodical and arranged strategy to your go to.
How lengthy is the boat journey at Geibikei Gorge?
Relying on currents, your “cease” on the finish and the way sluggish or quick your boatman is, you may count on to spend 60-90 minutes on the boat at Geibikei. Your whole time could also be longer, nevertheless, relying upon whether or not you arrive on the gorge proper earlier than a ship departs.
The Backside Line
Permit me first to reply the plain query: Geibikei Gorge is totally value visiting. With this being mentioned, it’s undoubtedly not a fast journey. You’ll must drive to and from there (over an hour from Morioka, barely nearer to Hiraizumi); the association of the gorge signifies that you could take a ship journey in an effort to see and {photograph} it—you may’t merely flip up and take photos from the shore. Nevertheless, when you make piece with this actuality (and the time it’s going to require), visiting Geibikei is a comparatively easy affair, to not point out a tremendous and breathtaking one. Want personalised assist placing your Japan journey collectively? Take into account hiring me to plan it!
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