Geibikei Gorge

Geibikei Gorge (猊鼻渓), located in Iwate Prefecture near Hiraizumi, offers a peaceful 90-minute boat ride through tall cliffs and unique rock formations. Passengers sit on floor mats inside flat-bottomed boats, guided by a boatman using a pole. The ride moves slowly along a one-kilometer stretch of the river, with a short stop to walk deeper into the gorge and see the famous lion-nose-shaped rock that gave the gorge its name.

Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful views year-round, especially in late October during the fall colors and in mid-May when wisteria blooms. Try your luck tossing small lucky stones into a hole in the cliff across the river. Carps and ducks swim near the boat, and you can even feed them with snacks sold on board. Tours run about once per hour, and the boatmen sing local songs during the ride. Souvenir shops and restaurants are available near the pier for a relaxing visit.