Kakusenkei Gorge
The Refreshing Walk in Yamanaka Onsen
Kakusenkei Gorge is located in Yamanaka Onsen a thermal village in Kaga mountains, Ishikawa prefecture in Japan. It extends on a little bit more than 1 kilometer of an easy, green walk along the Daisho River.
Kakusenkei Gorge offers one of the main outdoor activities to do at the small Yamanaka Onsen ♨️ spa village. Leaving the quaint streets lined with ryokan inns and public bath facilities and strolling away down to the Daishoji River, you’ll find a walking path hugging the stream of water, amidst the forest. The path stretches over 1,3 kilometers between the following bridges:
- Korogi-bashi (こおろぎ橋), a beautiful traditional cypress wood bridge in the heart of the village, then,
- Ayatori (あやとり橋), an original red steel bridge designed to enhance the landscape; and,
- Kurotani Bridge (黒谷橋), a stone and concrete building located down the river.
The well-marked paved course can be trodden all year long and especially in fall to admire the koyo 🍁 foliage, harbinger of winter. Displaying both mineral and green qualities, the soothing scenery ideally provides a relaxing walk between 2 hot baths.
A few meter ahead of Kurotani bridge, the side of Kakusenkei trail is adorned by a small pavilion, as well as a stele commemorating Matsuo Basho (1644 – 1694). The famous haiku poet indeed visited Yamanaka Onsen in 1689, during one of his travels through the country.
In his travel diary Oku no hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), he wrote about his stay in the thermal village, so enjoyable that he was inspired the following verses:
Yamanaka ya (山中や)
Kiku wa taoraji (菊は手折らじ)
Yu no nioi (湯の匂い)
Translated as:
Ah, Yamanaka!
No need to pick chrysanthemums
with waters so fragrant.
Meaning that Yamanaka’s waters hold the same legendary rejuvenative properties as chrysanthemum flowers.
Seasonal tea room by the river
Every year from spring 🌸 to autumn, the ephemeral tea room Kakusenkei Kawadoko settles its handful of pavilions near the Daishoji River. Sheltered from the sun by a traditional red umbrella and seating on a tatami, one can enjoy a fleeting moment listening to the trickling of the water while cooling down under the shade of the trees.
Kanazawa’s regional specialty, the Kaga Bocha tea, which is served here, is a slightly roasted green tea (hojicha). It can be paired with a cold matcha tea or a slice of roll cake.
This excursion in nature can be enjoyed in any season, offering a variety of colors and landscapes.