Oceanshaft

This time our main destination was Takachiho gorge (高千穂峡). First time to enter Miyazaki prefecture for me, and I've been wanting to visit this spot for a long time. Got onto the highway from Dazaifu IC to Matsubashi IC, and then proceeded east.

Stopped on the way to see Reitai bridge (霊台橋) and Tsujun bridge (通潤橋). Both were very impressive stone arch bridges. Tsujunkyou is actually famous as it's main purpose is as an aqueduct, and every once in a while, to clear the accumulated dirt and debris inside water is released from the sides of the bridge/aqueduct. When we arrived, it was just a normal bridge, but after crossing the bridge and turning back, lo and behold the show was on! The flow of water gushing from both sides of the bridge was quite powerful.

Satisfied already, we however continued on to Takachiho, where the scenery was breathtaking. We did the tourist thing and rented a rowboat which allows you to travel along part of the gorge itself. The towering walls of rock and blue-green water coupled with the trees around made for a peaceful environment. Splashes of yellow, red, orange leaves burst out here and there. Leaves tumbled and stumbled slowly down into the gorge, catching the sun as they fell.

Visited Amanoiwato shrine (天岩戸神社) after that, had a late lunch, and came back. The shrine itself is quite interesting, built near what is believed to be the cave where Amaterasu hid herself. You can't visit that cave, but there's another small shrine set into the cliff nearby as well.

A very satisfying day.