Takachiho Gorge: Attraction Location, Itinerary, Best Parking Spots, and Bus Information

Post date: 2025-09-11 | Categories: Japan Travel

Takachiho Gorge(高千穂峡) is a famous tourist spot in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, located within Takachiho Town, near the border of Miyazaki, Kumamoto, and Oita prefectures. Because it is situated in the mountains, the terrain around Takachiho Gorge is quite rugged with little flat land, and parking space is limited. Hence, parking is one of the concerns for those driving to visit Takachiho Gorge. So, what parking lots are available around Takachiho Gorge? Where is the best and most convenient place to park with the least walking distance? This article aims to discuss this issue. Additionally, information on highway buses from Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, etc., to Takachiho Town is also compiled for reference for those not driving.

Takachiho Town, where the gorge is located, is a relatively remote mountainous area without railway access, although it is reachable by bus with frequent services. However, self-driving is ultimately the most convenient and comfortable way to travel in Japan, so this article primarily introduces the parking situation in Takachiho Town for self-driving tourists. (Note: The last part of this article also compiles information on taking buses to Takachiho Gorge. If you don’t drive but wish to visit Takachiho Gorge, you can refer to the bus information in that section.)

Article Contents

Agoda Booking Deals!

【Agoda 10% Discount Code (incl. taxes)】(Valid worldwide, with discounts applied to taxes and service fees.)

【Bonus Guide: How to Use Agoda Promo Codes? | How to Avoid Agoda’s 5% Service Fee?】

Takachiho Gorge Attraction Location and Itinerary Tips

Before introducing the parking lot locations and the best places to park at Takachiho Gorge, let’s first look at the locations of the main attractions and the walking route for touring Takachiho Gorge. This will help determine the best parking spots.

Takachiho Gorge is located on the Gokase River, a small river flowing through Takachiho Town. In ancient times, an eruption of Mount Aso formed a gorge with columnar cliffs here, and coupled with the “Manai Falls” within the gorge, which is selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls, it has become a popular tourist destination in Kyushu.

1. Takachiho Gorge Attractions and Itinerary

Takachiho Gorge is not very large and doesn’t have many attractions. The main sightseeing spot is the “Manai Falls” and the surrounding gorge scenery. Besides viewing the gorge and waterfall from the top, there are also boat rentals available for rowing within the gorge, offering a different perspective of the scenery from the water below.

Below is a map of Takachiho Gorge attractions produced by the Takachiho Town Tourism Association. The red line extending along the river on the map is the walking path for touring Takachiho Gorge. The entrance to this path is near the Ohashi Parking Lot next to the Takachiho Ohashi (big bridge), extending to the Mihashi on the right, with a total length of about 1 kilometer. The pure walking time is about half an hour.

Reference:

Takachiho Town Tourism Association Website

However, the area worth visiting in Takachiho Gorge is mainly the narrow section between Takimidai (Waterfall Viewing Platform) and Mihashi. If you don’t want to spend too much energy walking, or if you are with elderly, infants, or people with mobility issues, it is recommended to only explore the area between Takimidai and Mihashi. If you visit during the autumn foliage season in November, the section between Shinbashi (Sacred Bridge) and Takimidai also offers nice autumn colors. Those with time and energy can start from Shinbashi and walk to Mihashi.

But remember, do not enter the walking path from the Ohashi Parking Lot. Because the Takachiho Ohashi is located high above the gorge, the elevation difference is significant. The path from the Ohashi Parking Lot to Shinbashi consists of over 260 stone steps. Just climbing these steps might exhaust your energy for sightseeing, and having to climb them again on the return trip would be even worse. Moreover, this section of steps offers no scenery. When we visited last time, unfamiliar with the area, we parked at the Ohashi Parking Lot and entered the path from there. So, one purpose of writing this article is to hope that no one else has to experience our painful ordeal.

Below is the sign at the entrance to the walking path next to the Ohashi Parking Lot, showing the walking time required to reach various attractions.

Autumn leaves around Shinbashi

Shinbashi and Takachiho Ohashi

View of the Takachiho Gorge walking path from Shinbashi

Yarito-bashi Bridge between Shinbashi and Takimidai

Walking path between Yarito-bashi Bridge and Takimidai

View of Takachiho Gorge and Manai Falls from Takimidai

View of Takachiho Gorge and Manai Falls from Mihashi

Mihashi

Besides Takachiho Gorge and Manai Falls, there are some small photo spots around Mihashi. If you visit in November, the autumn foliage here is also quite beautiful.

2. Takachiho Gorge Boating

Besides viewing from above, if interested, you can also go boating in Takachiho Gorge to see the gorge and Manai Falls from a low angle looking upwards. Boat rental service operates from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, but it may be suspended if the river water is high. To check if the service is operating on the day, you can visit this webpage. The boating fee varies by day: 5,100 yen for 30 minutes per boat on busy days, and 4,100 yen for 30 minutes on less busy days. A boat can seat up to 3 people.

The boat dock and ticket office are located inside the Mishioi Parking Lot next to Mihashi.

Besides boating, there is another recreational facility next to Mihashi: the Takachiho Gorge Freshwater Fish Aquarium.

3. Takachiho Gorge Cuisine

There are some restaurants and food stalls around Mihashi. If you plan to dine here, the top choice is definitely the flowing noodles at this original restaurant Chiho no Ie.

What parking lots are around Takachiho Gorge? Where is the best place to park?

There are six main parking lots provided by Takachiho Town for tourists visiting Takachiho Gorge: the Mishioi Parking Lot, Araragi Parking Lot, Ohashi Parking Lot, Takachiho Shrine Parking Lot, Oshikata Parking Lot, and Taguchino Parking Lot. Among these, the Mishioi Parking Lot and Araragi Parking Lot charge a fee, while the other four are free.

Besides these officially provided parking lots, some shops in Takachiho Town also open their own parking lots or vacant land outside their shops as temporary paid parking spaces during the peak tourist season, but these are not close to the Takachiho Gorge attractions.

1. Takachiho Gorge Shuttle Bus (Local Bus)

Except for the Mishioi Parking Lot and Araragi Parking Lot, which are relatively close to the Takachiho Gorge attractions, the other parking lots are quite far from Mihashi and difficult to reach on foot. However, during the peak tourist seasons from April to May and July to November, on days with many visitors, a shuttle bus (local bus) operates between these four farther parking lots (Ohashi Parking Lot, Takachiho Shrine Parking Lot, Oshikata Parking Lot, and Taguchino Parking Lot) and Mihashi (Takachiho Gorge Freshwater Fish Aquarium).

The operating days for the 2025 shuttle bus are:

April 26th to 30th;
May 1st to 6th;
July 19th to 21st;
August 9th to 11th, 16th to 17th, 23rd to 24th;
September 13th to 15th, 20th to 23rd;
October 11th to 13th;
November 1st to 3rd, 15th to 16th, 22nd to 24th.

The shuttle bus operates from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with buses every 20 to 30 minutes. The one-way fare is 200 yen (100 yen for children). However, please note that the shuttle bus only operates on the busy days listed above. On non-operating days, it is not advisable to park in these lots (except for the Ohashi Parking Lot).

The shuttle bus operates on a loop route. The bus stop at Mihashi is located at the entrance of the Takachiho Gorge Freshwater Fish Aquarium. Below is an illustration of the shuttle bus route and stop locations.

2. Parking Lot Information

Below is the information and detailed introduction of the six parking lots at Takachiho Gorge.

(1) Mishioi Parking Lot (御塩井駐車場)

The Mishioi Parking Lot (御塩井駐車場) is the closest parking lot to the Takachiho Gorge attractions among these six. It is located right next to Mihashi, and the boat dock is also inside the parking lot, making it very convenient. Therefore, the Mishioi Parking Lot is the best place to park for visiting Takachiho Gorge. However, precisely because of this, and due to the limited number of spaces, the Mishioi Parking Lot is often full. Unless it’s the off-season with very few visitors, it is difficult to park here.

Basic information for the Mishioi Parking Lot:

Number of spaces: 36
Parking fee: 1,000 yen (one-time, unlimited time)
GPS Navigation:
- Phone number: 0982-72-226 (Phone number of the Takachiho Gorge Freshwater Fish Aquarium next to the parking lot entrance)
- Map Code: 330 711 760*41

On busy days during the peak season, the Mishioi Parking Lot is usually full, so sometimes staff will stop vehicles from entering at the junction.

(2) Araragi Parking Lot (あららぎ駐車場)

The Araragi Parking Lot (あららぎ駐車場) is located next to Shinbashi. From here, you can follow the walking path all the way to Mihashi, a distance of about 600 meters, enjoying the scenery of Takachiho Gorge along the way. Therefore, when the Mishioi Parking Lot is full, the second best parking option is the Araragi Parking Lot. However, the walking path is not entirely flat; there are many stone paths and steps, so it is not suitable for the elderly, strollers, or people with mobility issues.

Basic information for the Araragi Parking Lot:

Number of spaces: 50
Parking fee: 1,000 yen (one-time, unlimited time)
GPS Navigation:
- Phone number: 0982-72-2201 (Phone number of the restaurant Araragi no Chaya next to the parking lot entrance)
- Map Code: 330 740 239*85

Next to the Araragi Parking Lot is a restaurant called Araragi no Chaya. This restaurant has its own parking lot (open space) outside. If the Araragi Parking Lot is full, you can also patronize this restaurant and use its parking lot.

The entrance road to the Araragi Parking Lot is the same as the one to the Mishioi Parking Lot, so during busy times, staff might also stop vehicles from entering at the junction. Additionally, the road to the Araragi Parking Lot is relatively narrow, with most of the 300-meter stretch being a single lane for two-way traffic.

(3) Ohashi Parking Lot (大橋駐車場)

The Ohashi Parking Lot (大橋駐車場) is located next to the Takachiho Ohashi. This is the starting point of the Takachiho Gorge walking path. If you have good stamina, you can walk from here to Mihashi, a distance of about 1 kilometer. However, the section from the Ohashi Parking Lot to Shinbashi consists of over 260 stone steps, which can be quite strenuous. The Ohashi Parking Lot is the first stop for the shuttle bus departing from the Takachiho Gorge Freshwater Fish Aquarium. Taking the bus from here to Mihashi requires going around a loop, which takes more time.

Basic information for the Ohashi Parking Lot:

Number of spaces: 30
Parking fee: Free
GPS Navigation:
- Phone number: 0982-72-2433 (Phone number of the restaurant Sobadokoro Gimbashi next to the parking lot), 0982-82-2989 (Phone number of the restaurant Sumibiyaki Niku Jipangu next to the parking lot)
- Map Code: 330 741 330*28

Shops next to the Ohashi Parking Lot also open their own parking spaces for tourists, but these are paid (usually 500 yen). So, be careful not to drive into the shops’ parking spaces when entering the Ohashi Parking Lot.

(4) Takachiho Shrine Parking Lot (高千穂神社駐車場)

Takachiho Shrine is another worthwhile attraction to visit in Takachiho Town. The Takachiho Shrine Parking Lot (高千穂神社駐車場) outside the shrine is a free parking area. The duty-free shop opposite the parking lot is one of the shuttle bus stops. If you visit on a day when the shuttle bus is operating and cannot find a spot in the closer Moshioi Parking Lot or Araragi Parking Lot, you can first choose to park at the Takachiho Shrine Parking Lot, which also allows you to visit Takachiho Shrine.

Below are the basic details for the Takachiho Shrine Parking Lot:

Number of spaces: 80
Parking fee: Free
GPS Navigation:
- Phone number: 0982-72-2413 (Phone number for Takachiho Shrine)
- Map Code: 330 741 350*80

Below are photos of Takachiho Shrine

(5) Taguchino Parking Lot (田口野駐車場)

The Taguchino Parking Lot (田口野駐車場) is a temporary parking area that is only open on busy days when the shuttle bus operates. It is located next to the Aohashi Bridge and is relatively remote.

Below are the basic details for the Taguchino Parking Lot:

Number of spaces: 300
Parking fee: Free
GPS Navigation:
- Phone number: 0982-72-2470 (Phone number for the Takachiho Livestock Market next to the parking lot)
- Map Code: 330 712 456*00

(6) Oshikata Parking Lot (押方駐車場)

The Oshikata Parking Lot (押方駐車場) is also a temporary parking area only open on busy days when the shuttle bus operates. The parking lot for tour buses is adjacent, so there are a few shops nearby. However, there is about a 200-meter distance between the Oshikata Parking Lot and the shuttle bus stop, making it less convenient. Unless all other parking lots are full, it is not recommended to park here.

Below are the basic details for the Oshikata Parking Lot:

Number of spaces: 200
Parking fee: Free
GPS Navigation:
- Phone number: 0982-72-4566 (Phone number for the Yatsuya restaurant next to the parking lot entrance)
- Map Code: 330 741 755*41

Driving Routes to Takachiho Town from Miyazaki, Kumamoto, and Beppu

For self-driving tourists in Kyushu heading to Takachiho Gorge, there are several main routes, including starting from Miyazaki City, Kumamoto City, Beppu City, or Yufuin. Below is a brief introduction to the driving routes, distances, and travel times from these popular locations to Takachiho Town.

1. Driving from Miyazaki City to Takachiho Town

If you are starting your self-drive tour in Southern Kyushu from Kagoshima City, you will likely stay in Miyazaki City before heading to Takachiho Gorge. Driving from Miyazaki City to Takachiho Town involves taking the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway to Nobeoka City, then switching to the Kyushu Chuo Expressway, and finally onto National Route 218. The distance is approximately 140 km, with a travel time of about 2 to 2.5 hours. The toll for the expressway (Higashi-Kyushu Expressway) is around 2,500 yen. The section of National Route 218 from Nobeoka City to Takachiho Town is in excellent condition and very easy to drive on.

2. Driving from Kumamoto City to Takachiho Town

There are two route options when driving from Kumamoto City to Takachiho Town. One is via National Route 325 along the southern foot of Mount Aso. The other is via the southern route using the Kyushu Chuo Expressway – National Route 445 – National Route 218. The distance difference between the two routes is not significant. However, because the southern route includes a roughly 12 km free section of the Kyushu Chuo Expressway, the travel time is faster. The distance from Kumamoto City to Takachiho Town via the Kyushu Chuo Expressway – National Route 445 – National Route 218 is approximately 80 km, with a travel time of about 1.5 to 2 hours. The expressway toll (Kyushu Expressway) is about 300 yen.

3. Driving from Beppu City to Takachiho Town

There are three or four route options when driving from Beppu City to Takachiho Gorge. The shortest route in distance is using Prefectural Route 51 via Taketa City. Another option is using the Oita Expressway – Prefectural Route 11 via Kuju Town and the western foot of Mount Aso. The third option is using National Route 10 – National Route 57 via Oita City. Among these three, the route via Oita City using National Route 10 and National Route 57 is the easiest to drive. The distance is approximately 120 km, with a travel time of about 2.5 hours. Of course, if your itinerary includes stops at attractions like the Kokonoe Yume Great Suspension Bridge or Aso Volcano on the way to Takachiho Gorge, or if you are starting from Yufuin, you will need to use the second route.

Taking the Bus to Takachiho Gorge

If you are not driving yourself, you can also take a highway bus to Takachiho Gorge. Currently, there are three highway bus routes operated by Miyazaki Kotsu and Nishitetsu Bus that go to Takachiho Town. The first runs between Miyazaki City and Takachiho Town. The second runs between Kumamoto City and Nobeoka City, passing through Takachiho Town. The third runs between Fukuoka City and Nobeoka City, also passing through Takachiho Town. Therefore, tourists can take a highway bus from Fukuoka City, Kumamoto City, or Miyazaki City to Takachiho Gorge. If your itinerary takes you to Beppu first, you can also take the JR train from Beppu to Nobeoka City and then transfer to a highway bus to Takachiho Town.

1. Highway Bus from Fukuoka City to Takachiho Town

The highway bus from Fukuoka City to Nobeoka stops at Takachiho Town. There are four buses daily; two are operated by Miyazaki Kotsu and two by Nishitetsu Bus. Departure times from Fukuoka City are 8:05 AM, 10:05 AM, 3:30 PM, and 5:30 PM. Departure times from Takachiho Town to Fukuoka are 8:57 AM, 11:07 AM, 4:37 PM, and 6:37 PM. The one-way fare from Fukuoka City to Takachiho Town varies from 4,700 to 6,580 yen, depending on the season (low season vs. high season). The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.

The bus stop for the highway bus from Fukuoka City to Takachiho Town is the Takachiho Bus Center. This is about 2 km from Takachiho Gorge, so you will need to take a taxi to reach the gorge.

Highway bus tickets must be reserved online in advance. Payment can be made online by credit card, or at a convenience store or bus station ticket office. Additionally, tickets for the highway bus from Fukuoka City to Takachiho Town can also be purchased on Rakuten Travel, which often offers a 5% discount coupon. The discounted price is 3,895 yen, which is cheaper than the online discount price of 4,020 yen on the official website.

Miyazaki Kotsu Fukuoka~Nobeoka Highway Bus ticket purchase page on Rakuten Travel

2. Highway Bus from Kumamoto City to Takachiho Town

The highway bus from Kumamoto City to Nobeoka stops at Takachiho Town. There are two buses daily. Departure times from Kumamoto City are 9:11 AM and 3:31 PM. Departure times from Takachiho Town to Kumamoto are 8:42 AM and 4:57 PM. The one-way fare from Kumamoto City to Takachiho Town is 2,700 yen. The journey takes approximately 3 hours.

Miyazaki Kotsu Kumamoto~Nobeoka Highway Bus Webpage

The bus stop for the highway bus from Kumamoto City to Takachiho Town is the Takachiho Bus Center. This is about 2 km from Takachiho Gorge, so you will need to take a taxi to reach the gorge.

Highway bus tickets must be reserved online in advance. Payment can be made online by credit card, or at a convenience store or bus station ticket office. Tickets for the highway bus from Kumamoto City to Takachiho Town are not sold on Rakuten Travel.

3. Highway Bus from Miyazaki City to Takachiho Town

The highway bus from Miyazaki City to Takachiho Town only operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and Japanese holidays, with just one bus per day. It departs from Miyazaki City at 8:30 AM and returns from Takachiho Town at 3:00 PM. The one-way fare from Miyazaki City to Takachiho Town is 2,550 yen. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. (Note: This route has been suspended since May 7, 2024, with no known date for resumption.)

Miyazaki Kotsu Miyazaki~Takachiho Town Highway Bus Webpage

The highway bus from Miyazaki City to Takachiho Town has four stops in Takachiho Town: the Takachiho Bus Center, Takachiho Shrine, Hotel Takachiho Mae (in front of Hotel Takachiho), and Takachiho Ohashi (Takachiho Bridge), which is the final stop. Among these, Takachiho Shrine and Takachiho Bridge are shuttle bus stops for Takachiho Gorge. It is recommended to get off at one of these two stops and transfer to the shuttle bus to reach the gorge.

Highway bus tickets must be reserved online in advance. Payment can be made online by credit card, or at a convenience store or bus station ticket office. Additionally, tickets for the highway bus from Miyazaki City to Takachiho Town can also be purchased on Rakuten Travel, which often offers a 5% discount coupon. The discounted price is 2,422.5 yen, which is cheaper than the official website.

Miyazaki Kotsu Miyazaki~Takachiho Town Highway Bus ticket purchase page on Rakuten Travel