Sandankyo Gorge Guide: What You Can Walk in 2026, the Kurobuchi Ferry and Getting There from Hiroshima

Quick answer: Sandankyo is a 16-km gorge in the mountains of northern Hiroshima. In 2026, several trail sections are closed, so you can’t walk the whole gorge. The two open walks are Seimen-guchi (the main entrance) to Kurobuchi (2.7 km, about 50 minutes one way) and Mizunashi-guchi to Sandan-daki falls (1.5 km, about 30 minutes one way). The express bus from Hiroshima Bus Center takes about 1 hour 20 minutes (¥1,670), or drive from Togouchi IC. Autumn leaves peak from late October to late November.

I’ve driven to Sandankyo and walked from the main entrance, Seimen-guchi, to Kurobuchi in the autumn colour. Here’s what’s open now and how to plan it.

What’s open and what’s closed (2026)

Sandankyo is long and narrow, with entrances at both ends. Heavy rain has damaged parts of the trail, and as of 30 September 2026:

• Open: Seimen-guchi ⇔ Kurobuchi — 2.7 km, about 50 minutes one way.
• Open: Mizunashi-guchi ⇔ Sandan-daki — 1.5 km, about 30 minutes one way.
• Closed until further notice: the middle section towards Sarutobi and Nidan-daki (passable only on days the Sarutobi boat runs, and not in rain).
• Closed, no reopening date: Sandan-daki to Shimo-Mochinoki-guchi.

Because you can’t walk through, treat it as two separate walks from two different entrances. Check the official Sandankyo website before you go — conditions change after every typhoon.

Walk 1: Seimen-guchi to Kurobuchi

This is the walk I did. From the main entrance, the path follows the river upstream past Shimai-daki (Sisters Falls) to Kurobuchi, a pool between 100-metre cliffs.

• Distance: 2.7 km one way; about 1 hour 40 minutes there and back.
• The path: rocky and uneven in places, with some steep slopes near the start.
• Kurobuchi ferry: a small boat crosses the pool to the Kurobuchi-so tea house (light meals such as grilled river fish and udon). It normally runs Friday to Tuesday, 10:00–16:00 (closed Wednesdays and Thursdays), costs a few hundred yen, and needs no booking. In November 2026 it’s scheduled to run every day. Note it was suspended until 30 October 2026 after a typhoon.

Walk 2: Mizunashi-guchi to Sandan-daki

From the upper entrance, a 1.5-km path leads to Sandan-daki, the three-tier waterfall that gives the gorge its name (about 130 m in total).

• Only by car: there’s no public transport to Mizunashi-guchi. The road is narrow, with passing places.
• Parking: about ¥500.

Sarutobi boat

At Sarutobi, the rock walls are only 2–3 metres apart. Since July 2026, a rental boat (up to 3 people, 30 minutes, ¥4,000 per boat, ¥3,000 during an opening campaign) runs on weekends and holidays. Sign up on the spot. The section to reach it is affected by the closures above, so call ahead (Osorakan Ecology Camp, 0826-28-7270).

Before you go

• Wear walking shoes, long sleeves and long trousers.
• Bring water. There are no vending machines in the gorge, and toilets only at Kurobuchi, Mizunashi and Yoshigahara.
• Start early. The sun sets early in a deep valley. Watch for rockfall, bears and hornets.
• Winter (December–March): the gorge isn’t maintained, the ferry and tea house close, and it’s a heavy-snow area. The season usually reopens in mid-April (15 April in 2026).

Getting there from Hiroshima

• By car: Chugoku Expressway to Togouchi IC, then about 10 minutes to Seimen-guchi or about 30 minutes to Mizunashi-guchi. Parking at Seimen-guchi is about ¥500 a day (check on site).
• By bus: Hiroden Bus express from Hiroshima Bus Center at 8:18, arriving Sandankyo (Seimen-guchi) at 9:36; back at 15:00, arriving 16:21. ¥1,670 one way. Slower local buses take over two hours. There’s no train.

When to go

• Autumn leaves: late October to late November (2025’s peak was about 11–24 November). See Autumn Leaves in Setouchi.
• Fireflies: late June to early July.
• Busiest: leaf-season weekends, around 10:00–13:00.

See Where to Stay in Hiroshima and, for another day out from the city, Miyoshi.

FAQ

Can I walk the whole of Sandankyo in 2026?
No. Several sections are closed. You can walk Seimen-guchi to Kurobuchi and Mizunashi-guchi to Sandan-daki as separate walks.

Can I get there without a car?
Yes, to the main entrance (Seimen-guchi) by express bus from Hiroshima Bus Center. Mizunashi-guchi has no public transport.

How hard is the walk?
There are steep, rocky sections in places, so wear proper walking shoes.

Is Sandankyo open in winter?
You can enter, but the trail isn’t maintained, toilets and the ferry are closed, and there’s heavy snow. Go between mid-April and November.

Trail closures, ferry schedules and bus times checked on the official Sandankyo, Akiota Town, Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroden websites on 26 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.