View Point
A magnificent and beautiful gorge (The Dorohaccho Gorge)
Spectacular sculptures carved by the power of water
The Kitayama River flows along the borders of three prefectures: Wakayama, Mie, and Nara. Formed by the river eroding strata hardened by the heat of magma, the Dorohaccho Gorge features steep cliffs that tower some 50 meters high. Starting upstream, sections of the gorge are called Okudoro, Kamidoro, and Shimodoro, which is also called “Dorohaccho” due to the presence of numerous strangely shaped rocks here. Dorohaccho Gorge is designed as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument. "Doro" means a deep stream pool with a gentle current. The river is around 20 m deep at its deepest point, and the sight of the gorge's walls reflecting off the river's emerald-green surface is breathtaking.
Index
The contrast with the retro buildings standing on the cliffs
In the southern part of the Kii Peninsula you can see so many mountains standing one after the other that there are said to be “3,600 peaks in Kumano.” The basin of the Kitayama River, which runs through this area, is famous as a major production region for timber, which was even used in the construction of Fushimi Castle in Kyoto and the main building of Edo Castle. Originally built as an inn for rafters, the Doro Hotel still retains the atmosphere of the days when many people worked in the rafting industry. The combination of the retro tmosphere and the magnificent scenery created by nature makes for a truly wonderful sight.
Spectacular view points of The Dorohaccho Gorge
| Adress | 〒647-1231 8-1 Tamakiguchi, Kumanogawa-cho, Shingu-shi, Wakayama, Japan（ Dorokyo Gorge Tour Boat Stop ） |
|---|---|
| Traffic Access | By car: From Osaka/Wakayama, around 90 minutes’ drive from Kamitonda IC. From Nagoya, around 50 minutes’ drive from Kumano Odomari IC. |
| Parking | Available ( Across from Doro Post Office / free ) |
| Supported Language | Explanatory signboard in English. |
| Contact | Dorokyo Tour Kumanogawa River Boat Center TEL：0735-44-0987 Web：https://kawabune.info |
| Boarding Marker | 〒647-1581 404 Koka, Totsukawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara, Japan（ Doro Police Station ） |
|---|---|
| Traffic Access | By car: From Osaka/Wakayama, around 90 minutes’ drive from Kamitonda IC. From Nagoya, around 50 minutes’ drive from Kumano Odomari IC. |
| Parking | Available （Across from Doro Post Office / free ） |
| Supported Language | Explanatory signboard in English. |
| Contact | Dorokyo Riverboat KAWASEMI TEL：090-2196-8533 Web：http://dorokyo.jp/ |
* Information is subject to change. Please be sure to check with the site/facility before heading out.
