Canyon Boulders & Roasted Tea Trail
Located at the foot of the Shikoku Karst, the Iwayagawa Gorge is a breathtaking canyon featuring a striking landscape of sharply split, massive boulders. The sight of water pouring vigorously from the crevices of these giant rocks and the crystal-clear pools are truly magnificent! Visitors can enjoy fresh greenery in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn while walking along the trail maintained as a prefectural park. After the hike, the program offers a chance to roast tea and taste "Irimochi," a traditional local tea sweet, providing a wonderful opportunity to interact with the locals..
Meeting Time
9:00a.m. (Please consult us if you prefer a different time.)
Meeting Place
Your accommodation in Kochi City or Kochi New Port
Details of Tour / Activity
We will start our hike from a secluded hamlet in the mountains. The trail follows a stream bed strewn with boulders accumulated over millennia as the mountains above tumble down. Scattered about like a giant’s playpen these megaliths will make you feel strangely small as the scale of your surroundings dwarf you. Your expert guide stops to point out something clinging to the crag. In this landscape of giants it takes a moment to focus on the tiny flower. As your eyes finally zero in, you are enchanted by the intricate beauty of a miniature orchid. At first stunned by the enormous magnitude of this landscape, now you are amazed by the fine detail found here.
As the journey continues, your guide reveals the secret history carved into the canyon walls. Fine lines and striations on the craggy rock faces offer proof that these mountaintop boulders were once part of an ancient seabed. Armed with this knowledge, your surroundings become even more profound as you contemplate the unfathomable eons required to shape this dramatic landscape.
Next comes a well-deserved rest. Around a bend of the trail awaits a crystal-clear mountain pool fed by a cascading waterfall. Slip off your boots to wade into the cool, refreshing water—or if you are feeling bold, dive right in!
Refreshed, you continue to the end of your hike. As you come out of the woods you find a teahouse on the side of the stream. Stepping inside, a toasty aroma of roasting tea reaches your nose. With gentle instruction you will roast your own tea! Tea roasted, sit by a window overlooking the flowing water and enjoy a sip. Next try a bite of ‘Irimochi,’ a traditional sweet made with tea. All too soon our day together is coming to an end. Take this moment to savor it!
In addition to the above you can also experience a high-wire obstacle course with a zip line for an additional fee
Details
Availability
March to November
Required time
Approximately 7 hours
Price
-2 participants: 45,000 JPY per person
-3-4 participants: 36,000 JPY per person
-5-8 participants: 27,000 JPY per person
Included
-Chartered taxi
-Local guide
-English speaking guide
-Hojicha tea experience
-Irimochi sweet
Min./Max. participants
Min. 2 people
Max. 8 people
Important information
-This tour will be canceled in the case of heavy rain or high winds.
-The Iwayagawa River trail has slippery sections; even strong hikers must be careful.
-You will walk about 1.2 km upstream along the canyon trail.
-Wear non-slip footwear, comfortable clothes, and a hat to protect your head.
-A guide and an English interpreter will accompany you.
Cancellation Policy
-Up to 7 days before the the start of the trip: 20%
-6 days to 1 day before the start of the trip: 50%
-On the day the trip starts, after the start of the trip, or no-show/no-contact: 100%