OitaTravel

Famous Soba Noodles and a Panoramic View of Rock Formations from the Observation Platform

About this spot

A scenic spot at the heart of the Shin-Yaba Gorge, named for the observation platform's view of eight distinct vistas at a glance. Dramatic rocky peaks such as Eboshi Rock (烏帽子岩), Monkey Group Mountain (群猿山), and Married Couple Rocks (夫婦岩) tower to the heavens and surround your field of view in all directions—truly a spectacular sight. Hand-made soba noodle restaurants and souvenir shops line the area, and soba topped with mountain vegetables and grated yam is a local specialty. The gorge scenery is particularly colorful during new green and autumn foliage seasons, and walking along the nature trail, you can feel the Shin-Yaba Gorge's natural splendor close at hand, accompanied by the gentle murmur of the stream.

Tips

During peak autumn foliage season, surrounding roads become congested and parking fills quickly, so allow extra time. Soba restaurants often have queues during midday rush, so eating first before ascending the observation platform is a smoother approach.

Best time to visit

Approximately 2 hours required. Including lunch, enjoy the panorama of oddly-shaped rock formations illuminated by afternoon light from the observation platform.