Jiji Gorge (寂地峡)

Flow of the course

About this spot

A gorge carved at the base of Jiji Mountain (寂地山), Yamaguchi Prefecture's highest peak at 1,337 meters elevation, where the clear waters of Jiji River (寂地川), selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Famous Waters, flow. The highlight is the "Five Dragon Waterfalls"—five consecutive waterfalls bearing dragon names: Dragon Tail Falls, Dragon Ascent Falls, White Dragon Falls, Dragon Gate Falls, and Dragon Head Falls. This group of celebrated waterfalls is counted among Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, and as you climb the hiking trail maintained along the waterfalls, water spray so close to you that you can feel it continuously reveals waterfall after waterfall. In the upper reaches, a popular circular course passes through old wooden tunnel caves once used to transport timber. The gorge beauty created by deep forest and crystalline water is a fitting grand opening to the clear stream journey.

Tips

Free parking available in front of Jiji Gorge Information Center. The hiking trail along the waterfalls features wet stone steps, so non-slip shoes are essential. Inside the wooden tunnels it's quite dim, so having a smartphone light handy is reassuring.

Best time to visit

Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes required. Morning trekking when the air is clear and sunlight filters through the trees onto the waterfalls is particularly pleasant.

Access & map

〒740-0901 Yamaguchi Prefecture, Iwakuni City, Nishiki Town, Usa