Dakigaeri Gorge Walking Map (Access, Transportation, and Parking)

Now the Dakigaeri Foliage Festival （抱返り紅葉祭） is happening at the Dakigaeri Gorge through October 6th, 2011. Here is a walking map of the area!

Click to see the bigger image.

This map can be obtained at

 Tazawako Tourist Information Center FOLAKE (at JR Tazawako Station).

Access and Parking:

You can access to the area from late April to November  (it may vary depending on the weather conditions of that year). October is the month when it welcomes the most largest number of people.

The area can be accessed by your vehicle. It takes about 15 minutes from JR Tazawako Station and JR Kakundoate Station, and 5 minutes from JR Jindai Station. If taking a taxi, it is recommended to take one from JR Tazawako Station or Kakunodate Station, since the taxi services may not be available from Jindai at all times.

To Call a taxi, call Dakigaeri Kanko Taxi (0187-44-3118), Tazawako Kanko Taxi (0187-43-1331), Obonai Kanko Hire (0187-1221), and Kakunodate Kanko Taxi (0187-54-1144).

Park your car in the designated parking area in front of the Dakigaeri Shrine. Parking area is free except for the Dakigaeri Foliage Festival weeks (300 Yen for small cars / 1,000 Yen for 1,000Yen).

During the festival, there is a free shuttle bus service between JR Kakunodate Station and Dakigeri. From Kakunodate Station, the shuttle leaves at 10:15, 12:15, 13:30, and 16:15; From Dakigaeri, it leaves at 11:08, 13:08, 15:08, and 17:08.

Visit Dakigaeri Gorge in Summer

Dakigaeri Gorge (“Dakigaeri Keikoku” 抱返り渓谷) is a popular walking destination in Semboku City. It is located in between Tazawako and Kakunodate Area. The gorge is known for its beautiful emerald river of both sides are cliffs covered in green in summer and orange in late autumn.

The trekking route is well-paved and easily walked with your flat shoes. Out and back to the Mikaeri-no-taki waterfall is only about 30 minutes, but many people prefer to stay longer enjoying the water in the river.

Seiganji　（誓願寺）

Many people ask us why the water in Dakigaeri is such bright emerald. Although the reasons are not scientifically proven, it is said that the color is due to the shallow water level and the water is rich in mineral filtered through the cliffs of volcanic rocks called Green Tuff.

The waterfall is called Mikaeri-no-Taki, which directly translates to “waterfall of turning-around.” – Surely, the beauty of waterfall has made the visitors turn around many times!

Today, because of the land erosion, you are not allowed to walk further than the waterfall. In the best season, you can feel the cozy splashes over your face. The waterfall is very accessible and refreshes you on a hot summer day.

Kami-no-iwa-hashi is the red bridge over the beautiful river.

You can access to the river water near the area near the red Kami-no-Iwa-Hashi (神の岩橋; Bridge of Rock of God). Why don’t you pack your lunch and enjoy the refreshing water in Dakigaeri?

Dakigaeri Gorge Foliage Festival

Foliage in Tazawako Area is at its peak this week!!

Dakigaeri Gorge Foliage Festival （抱返り渓谷　紅葉祭）is being held until November 7th in Tazawako Dakigaeri Prefectural Natural Park.（田沢湖抱返り県立自然公園）

Out and back hike from the parking lot to the most popular destination, Mikaer-no-taki (回顧の滝), or Mikaeri Waterfall, is about 1.5km and takes about 30 minutes. The trail is very easy but enjoyable with the picturesque scenery, as is known as one of the best foliage spot in Tohoku Area.

EVENT/ PERFORMANCE:

Musical performance will be held during the festival:
Sun., Oct 24th— Local folk dance

Sat., Oct 30th--- Ryujin Daiko (龍神太鼓)

Sun., Oct. 31st— Hirokunai Sasara (広久内ささら)

Wed., Nov. 3rd—Ryujin Daiko（龍神太鼓）

*All the performances start at noon, and will be held at the parking lot.

Ryujin Daiko is a local taiko performing group that was initially formed for Tazawako Festival in 1979. Their performance is largely influenced by the local traditional arts in the region. Today the group performs at various festivals in local area. Hirokunai Sasara is a type of Sasara (a variation of lion dance) in Jindai area. Their performance, on the other hand, is traditional and passed down over several centuries. Sasara will be presented at Dakigaeri Shrine for the dedication, and then again presented in the event site at the parking lot.

FOOD:
Food tents offer you various types of quick bites. Also available on Oct 23-24th is an ocha-seki (お茶席) hosted by local Japanese tea ceremony practitioners. (From 10 a.m to 3 p.m.)

ACCESS from JR Tazawako Station:

Since the nearest JR Jindai Station is not within walking distance, we strongly recommend you to take a taxi or use the shuttle bus service below.

DAKIGAERI-GO (抱返り号)--

It is a taxi service provide for special deal on designated schedule. One-way per adult is 1,500 yen. (Regular fare would be close to 3,000 yen). Available April 17th- November 7th.　

SCHEDULE

From JR Tazawako Station to Dakigaeri Parking Lot--

9:40 -10:10; 10:50-11:20; 12:50 -13:20; 14:00-14:30; 15:30 – 16:00

From Dakigaeri Parking Lot to JR Tazawako Station--

10:15-10:45; 11:25-11:55; 13:25- 13:55; 14:35- 15:05

*Reservation is required. Call Tazawa Kanko Taxi (0187-43-1331).

Or ask for assistance at FOLAKE (TEL:0187-43-2111 or e-mail)

Go by Dakigaeri-Go!

Dakigaeri is a most popular hiking destination in Tazawako Area, just following Mt. Akita Komagatake.

Dakigaeri Gorge in Summer

If you feel a bit overwhelmed hiking up Mt. Komagatake for a whole day, Dakigaeri is the one for you!

Dakigaeri is most famous for the beautiful foliage seen in late fall. Thousands of hikers visit here from in and out of Japan. The contrast of emerald green in river against the burning red foliage is so unforgettable!

Hikers can enjoy beautiful and refreshing greenery from June- September.

One concern by many Dakigaeri hikers, though, was the inconvenience in terms of transportation! The nearest JR station is Jindai -- a small station where no taxi awaits you in front. From there, a walk takes at least 30-40 minutes only to the entrance of the trail. Many hikers find this prologue too overwhelming, frustrating, and tiring!

But, say-- you take a taxi from JR Tazawako or Kakundoate Station. This is possible but will probably cost you more than 3,000 yen.

If that sounds like a bit of a trouble to you, Dakigaeri-Go is the best choice!

Download or get a copy at Folake

Download Japanese

A free shuttle bus service between Tazawako Art Village to Kakundoate Area (Station/Samurai Residences) is available, operated by Tazawako Art Village (call 0187-44-3333). Refer to the timetable on the above.

Dakigaeri Gorge

Photos courtesy of Semboku City

Dakigaeri Gorge, known as one of the best scenic viewpoint of the autumn leaves in Tohoku region, features the cliffs covered in warm hues of red, orange, and yellow and a large body of turquoise water running through the primitive forests and the magnificent waterfalls. Mikaeri-no-taki, ''the waterfall of looking-back,'' is named after its unforgettable beauty which is worth ''looking-back''. It is also known for the excellent hiking trails during the summer time.