大杉谷

Ōsugidani - Osugidani Gorge - Osugi-dani gorge

Useful Information

Location:	in Odai Town, Taki District, Mie Prefecture. From Kisei Expressway exit Yokomachi, turn left on 42, turn left on 603. After many winding kilometers turn left on 53 at bridge over Miyagawa Reservoir, parking at the end of the road. From Kisei Expressway exit Odai, turn left, across the bridge, then left on hwy 31, then 422, then 53. Always follow the main valley. After many winding kilometers turn right on 53 at bridge over Miyagawa Reservoir, parking at the end of the road.
Open:	no restrictions. [2020]
Fee:	Adults JPY 1,000. [2020]
Classification:	Gorge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=14 km (Miyagawa Daisan Power Station - Odaigahara Visitors Center)
Guided tours:	no
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Osugidani Gorge.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

2004	after a flood much of the trail became inaccessible.
2014	the whole trail was reopened.
2016	UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO Eco Park).

Description

大杉谷 (Osugi Valley Gorge) is one of three biggest gorges in Japan. But is is actually not of the slot canyon type we normally list, it is more like a narrow valley with steep walls. But some parts are nevertheless quite impressive. From the end of the road the first part of the gorge has a vertical wall on the left side of the river, and the pathe is built into the middle of the vertical cliff. It looks like walking on a 50 cm wide ledge, but if you look again you will see that there is a second ledge above your head. So actually the trail was cut completely into the vertical cliff. Fortunately there is a railing in form of a heavy steel chain bolted to the back wall.

This area is sparsely populated and it is quite hard to reach the gorge. The trail through the gorge starts at the end of the road and ends on Mount Ōdaigahara (1,695 m asl). The easiest way is to do a one way trip if you can organize transportation at the other end. The trail has a total of 1,500v vertical difference, so many people decide to do it downhill. But generally walking uphill is much more spectacular. The full trail is given with 10.5 hours, but there is a hut about halfway at Momogiyama. The mountain trails are managed by Osugiya Mountaineering Center, a non-profit organisation which requests a JPY 1.000 yearly fee for the use.