Nakatsugawa Gorge
Nakatsugawa Gorge is a 10-kilometer stretch of river lined with ancient forests. These provide some of the most vibrant autumnal colors in the Urabandai area and feature wild cherry trees that flush a light pink in spring. The gorge is home to a thriving population of deer, boar, and Asiatic black bear.
The exposed riverbed is a layer of volcanic rock, which was formed underground, millions of years ago. Over the years, the flow of the Nakatsugawa River gradually eroded the layers of sediment above the rock, exposing it.
The river flows from high in the Azuma Mountains, into the northern end of Lake Akimoto, around a kilometer from the gorge.
Visitors can access the gorge on foot by descending some steep stairs on the trail from Lake Akimoto. The 1.5-kilometer hiking route is suitable for beginners.