What to know
Kankakei Gorge (寒霞渓) is a stunning ravine in the heart of Shodoshima Island. It is recognized as one of Japan's three most beautiful gorges and is especially breathtaking during the autumn foliage season, which typically occurs in the second half of November.
A ropeway connects the gorge's modest lower station to a more developed upper station, which features a souvenir shop and restaurant. Both stations are accessible by car and have parking lots. The upper station, near Shodoshima's highest peak, offers observation decks with panoramic views of the gorge, the island, and the Seto Inland Sea.
In addition to the ropeway, two hiking trails run between the stations. They are easy but steep, mostly forested paths. The western trail is about 2 km long and takes roughly one hour uphill or 30–45 minutes downhill. The eastern trail is about 3 km long and does not follow the ropeway as closely.
Buses run every two hours between Ikeda Port, Kusakabe Port, and the lower ropeway station, except from mid-May to late July and in September and October (weekends and holidays only) and from mid-December to mid-March (no service). The one-way trip from Ikeda Port takes 30 minutes and costs 500 yen.
The upper and lower ropeway stations are connected by road, and either station can be reached by car. The lower station is a 15-minute drive from Kusakabe Port, while the upper station is about 40 minutes from Tonosho Port, 20 minutes from Obe Port, or 30 minutes from Fukuda Port.
How to get to and around Shodoshima
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 8:30 to 17:00 (March 21 to October 20 and December 1 to 20)
- Closed
- Infrequent maintenance closures
- Admission
- 1300 yen (~$8.32) (one way), 2340 yen (~$14.98) (round trip)
- English name
- Original name
- Kankakei Gorge
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.