The sea is great,
but I love the mountains.
— For those who feel this way:
Yamato Town is located to the southeast of Kumamoto City.
Situated near the border with Miyazaki Prefecture, this town centers around the majestic Soyo Gorge and the Gokase River, which flows into Takachiho Gorge.
It is also a treasure trove of agricultural produce, nurtured by abundant spring water.
In summer, it is a popular retreat.
In autumn, it is a famous sightseeing spot vibrant with autumn foliage.
We took a journey through this hidden gem.
A treasure of Japan.
A land where nostalgic, pristine landscapes
still remain.
Did you know that Kyushu has its own “Grand Canyon”? Soyo Gorge is a U-shaped valley where sheer cliffs reaching heights of about 200 meters stretch for over 10 kilometers. The majestic scenery, featuring a white river course running through deep greenery, is famously referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Kyushu.”
In summer, a lush view of fresh greenery spreads out before you, and you may spot wildlife such as mountain hawk-eagles and badgers. In autumn, trees like maples, zelkovas, and Japanese cherry birches change their foliage all at once, dyeing the mountains in brilliant autumn colors.
The path down to the valley of Soyo Gorge is a wonderful hiking trail. The gentle murmuring of the river welcomes you.
A young badger encountered in Soyo Gorge. The area is full of rare flora and fauna.
This region’s geological stratum was formed by the accumulation of pyroclastic flows from massive eruptions of the Aso volcano, which occurred four times between 300,000 and 90,000 years ago. The landscape was created as the Gokase River carved away at that plateau over many long years.” This was explained to us by mountain guide Akira Terazaki.
To the question, “Why did you choose the job of a guide?”, he answered looking slightly bashful. Mr. Terazaki, who had been working at the Yamato Town Office, had his life completely transformed when he was captivated by an old map at a certain inn.
“On the Kyushu Kyukakoku no Ezu (Illustrated Map of the Nine Provinces of Kyushu) created 200 years ago, there was a place painted entirely in green, the color of the forest, with the words written: ‘This place is deep in the mountains, and its borders are unknown.’ That referred to the Kyushu Sekiryo Mountains, stretching across Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures. When I thought about how, even though Aso and Kuju had been surveyed, this area remained untrodden, it felt just like a ‘treasure map,’ and I couldn’t contain my excitement,” recounts Mr. Terazaki. He was 49 years old at the time. One year later, he left the town office and established ECO Kyushu Tourist LLC. While serving as a mountain guide, he traversed the Kyushu Sekiryo Mountains on his own two feet, personally filling in that “treasure map.
Gorogataki Falls and the rice terraces of Shiraito Plateau. The view of the waterfall is spectacular. A 30-minute drive from Soyo Gorge.
The nature of Yamato Town possesses a charm so captivating that it can change a person’s life and drive them toward adventure. Why not take a stroll through these spots where you can encounter the nostalgic, pristine landscapes of Japan—such as Tsujun Bridge, designated as a National Treasure, as well as the Mine, Sugesakoda, and Shiraito Plateau rice terraces, which were selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for its ‘Tsunagu Tanada Heritage’ (Connecting Rice Terrace Heritage)
Ayunose Bridge. Its massive main tower, reaching a height of 70 meters, is an impressive sight to behold. A 40-minute drive from Soyo Gorge.
Tsujun Bridge, designated as a National Treasure. Famous as a bridge that discharges water. A 30-minute drive from Soyo Gorge.
