Yasui Gorge 安居渓谷

Niyodo River

Yasui Valley is a part of the “Niyodo Blue,” a nickname given to the Niyodo River, which spans 124km from the depths of the Shikoku mountains to the Pacific Ocean. It ranks among the three major rivers of Shikoku, alongside the Shimanto and Yoshino Rivers. Renowned for its exceptional water purity, the river maintains its pristine quality until it merges with the ocean, often earning the title of “Japan’s most beautiful river.” Yasui Gorge, situated along the Yasui River, a tributary of the Niyodo, offers one of the most popular trails.

The walk along Yasui Valley

The walk was delightful and leisurely, covering a total of 11km and lasting approximately 3 hours. Although we encountered a few people along the gorge, it was far from crowded.

We parked our car at Mikaeri Falls (1.1km before the official trail start) and commenced our walk at the trailhead. Alternatively, one can drive further to reach the main parking lot. At the site, free maps, restrooms, and a café are available, though the café was closed on the day of our visit.

The highlights undoubtedly include the 25m two-tiered Hiryu no Taki waterfalls, yet the walk itself offers considerable charm. Walking alongside the river, navigating across rocks towards the waterfalls, observing the Sabo Dam, and traversing the occasional asphalt path that reveals splendid views of the nearby mountains.

For those who prefer a shorter walk and wish to avoid the asphalt, doubling back after the Sabo Dam to return to the parking lot can halve the required time. While half of the path is asphalted, extreme hiking gear is unnecessary. Nonetheless, caution is advised as some sections may feature slippery stones.

Hiryu no Taki waterfalls

Walk along Yasui Gorge

After the walk: lunch and dessert

Our journey commenced after breakfast from our inn, Yunomori, making for a perfect day trip. From there it took us 30mins to get to Yasui.

Lunch

Following the excursion, we indulged in lunch at Café Beef Karu in Ikegawa, boasting a magnificent view of the river and outdoor seating.

Yakiniku set lunch at CAFE and BEEFkaru

View from outdoor seating of CAFE and BEEFkaru

Dessert

For dessert, we headed back towards the inn and stopped at Tea Cafe Asunaro, which we had spotted the day before. Oddly enough, there was a waiting list, despite the terrace not being crowded. Presumably, this was to ensure that the staff could deliver food without too much delay. In any case, it was worth the 15-minute wait. The terrace offers a picturesque view overlooking the Niyodo River from a high vantage point. And the matcha desserts were delightful!

View on the Niyodo River from terrace of Tea Cafe Asunaro

Another option for enjoying a nice matcha dessert is Ikegawa Cha-en Cafe, located a little further from Café Beef Karu. Though we didn’t visit, it was recommended on the website.