Taishakukyo Gorge in 2026: What’s Open (Ohashi Is Closed), the Lake Shinryu Boat, Bihoku Hillside Park and Shobara-yaki

Quick answer: Taishakukyo is a limestone gorge in the mountains of northern Hiroshima, with two main areas: Kami-Taishaku in the north and Lake Shinryu in the south. Its famous natural rock bridge, Ohashi, is closed after rockfalls — the path is shut from about 150 m before the bridge until at least FY2027, and the bridge area until at least FY2028. You can still visit the Hakuun-do cave (¥300) and walk part of the way. At Lake Shinryu, there’s a 50-minute three-bridge walk and a 40-minute sightseeing boat (¥1,800, closed Wednesdays). By car, it’s about 20 minutes from Tojo IC on the Chugoku Expressway.

I’ve walked in Taishakukyo and visited Bihoku Hillside Park near Shobara. Parts of the gorge are closed after rockfalls, so here’s what you can and can’t see now.

What’s closed: Ohashi

Ohashi (雄橋) is a natural rock bridge, 90 m long, 18 m wide and 40 m above the riverbed. It’s a National Natural Monument.

• 3 November 2025: a rockfall closed the paths on both sides of the bridge.
• May and June 2026: more rocks fell. Since 18 July 2026, the path is closed from about 150 m before Ohashi.
• Outlook: the Taishakukyo Tourism Association says the closure 150 m before the bridge lasts until FY2027 at the earliest, and the area around the bridge until FY2028 at the earliest. If surveys find more hazards, it may take longer.
• Hiroshima Prefecture’s page (September 2026) gives no reopening date.

In short, you can’t reach Ohashi or walk through to Dangyokei beyond it on this path in 2026.

What you can still see in Kami-Taishaku

The usual route ran from Eimyoji (No. 1 car park) past Yayoi Shokudo (No. 2 car park) and the Hakuun-do cave to Ohashi and Dangyokei — about 1 hour 50 minutes there and back. Now:

• Hakuun-do (白雲洞), a cave, is about 5 minutes’ walk from the car park. Entry is ¥300 for adults.
• The path south of Hakuun-do is open as far as the closure point, about 150 m before Ohashi.
• Car parks: No. 1 (200 cars) and No. 2 (130 cars).

Lake Shinryu

Lake Shinryu (神龍湖) is the southern part of Taishakukyo, about 20 minutes by car from Kami-Taishaku.

The three-bridge walk

A loop walk crosses three bridges — the red Momijibashi, Shinryubashi and Sakurabashi — and takes about 50 minutes. Don’t confuse Momijibashi with the bridges in the Ohashi closure: this area is open.

The sightseeing boat

I haven’t taken the boat myself. From the official boat page:

Car parks: Misaka (200 cars) and the Trail Center / Sato Shop lot (40 cars).

Autumn leaves (2026)

• Usual peak: late October to early November.
• 2026 so far: colour reports began on 22–23 October at the lake shore. On 29 October, Walkerplus said the Ohashi area was “just starting to turn”.
• Taishaku Momiji Festival: 1 November 2026, 10:00–15:00, at the Taishaku Community Promotion Center, with stage events including kagura.

For other leaf spots, see Autumn Leaves in Setouchi.

Bihoku Hillside Park

Bihoku Hillside National Government Park (国営備北丘陵公園) is a park near Shobara IC. I’ve been here.

• Admission: ¥450 adults, ¥210 for 65 and over, free for junior high and younger.
• Winter illumination 2026–27: 31 October 2026 to 11 January 2027. Lights from 17:30 to 21:00 in October to December (until 22:00 on Saturdays and 22 November), and 17:45–21:00 in January. Last entry one hour before the lights go off.
• Closed days during the illumination: Mondays (except 2 and 23 November, 28 December and 11 January), plus 4 and 24 November, 31 December and 1 January. It may be cancelled for snow.
• Parking during the illumination: ¥350 from 9:30 to 13:59, ¥1,100 from 14:00.
• Access: about 5 minutes from Shobara IC on the Chugoku Expressway, or about 20 minutes’ walk from JR Nanatsuka Station.

Shobara-yaki

Shobara-yaki (庄原焼き) is Shobara’s own okonomiyaki. Instead of noodles, it uses locally grown rice, and it’s finished with ponzu. I haven’t tried it myself. One shop on Hiroshima Prefecture’s tourism site lists its Shobara-yaki “special” at ¥880.

Getting there

By car

• Chugoku Expressway, Tojo IC: about 20 minutes to Kami-Taishaku, or about 10 minutes to Lake Shinryu.
• From Hiroshima Station: about 108 km, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes (a route-planner estimate; allow extra time).

By bus

• Taishakukyo Liner (autumn 2026): Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 17 October to 23 November. Hiroshima Station 9:30 / Bus Center 9:45 → Lake Shinryu 12:25. Back at 16:04, reaching Hiroshima Station at 19:07. ¥2,770 one way. It goes to Lake Shinryu, not Kami-Taishaku.
• Bihoku Kotsu highway bus: Hiroshima Station / Bus Center ⇔ Shobara ⇔ Tojo-ekimae, about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. No reservations. Since June 2026, most buses stop at Miyoshi Station. From Tojo, a taxi takes about 20 minutes to Kami-Taishaku and 10 minutes to Lake Shinryu.
• From Osaka: the highway bus to Tojo is suspended.

By train

The nearest station is Bingo-Tojo on the JR Geibi Line. The fastest route from Hiroshima goes the long way round: Shinkansen east to Okayama, the Hakubi Line to Niimi, then the Geibi Line — about 3 hours, ¥6,600. The future of this part of the Geibi Line (rail or bus) is being decided, with a final plan due by the end of March 2027.

Combine it with

Most direct buses now stop at Miyoshi, so you could combine it with Miyoshi. For another gorge in northern Hiroshima, see Sandankyo Gorge. For a base, see Where to Stay in Hiroshima.

FAQ

Can I see Ohashi in 2026?
No. The path is closed from about 150 m before the bridge, and the official outlook is FY2027 at the earliest for that section and FY2028 for the bridge area.

What can I still do at Taishakukyo with Ohashi closed?
You can still visit the Hakuun-do cave, walk the three-bridge loop at Lake Shinryu and take the lake boat.

Can I get there without a car?
Yes. On autumn weekends and holidays until 23 November 2026, the Taishakukyo Liner runs from Hiroshima to Lake Shinryu. Otherwise, take the highway bus to Tojo and a taxi.

When does the boat run?
Mid-March to early December, closed on Wednesdays. The 40-minute cruise is ¥1,800 for adults.

Closures, boat fares, bus times and park details checked on the Taishakukyo Tourism Association, Hiroshima Prefecture and Bihoku Kotsu websites and Hiroshima travel sites on 29 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.