Dorokyo Gorge
The turquoise waters of the Kitayama River drop through 31 kilometers of rocky ravines, known as the Dorokyo Gorge. This picturesque gorge was formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving it with steep, forested cliffs and unusual rock formations. The river is a tributary of the Kumano River that runs through Nara, Mie, and Wakayama prefectures before flowing into the ocean.
The upper sections of the gorge, Kamidoro and Shimodoro, are short stretches of water popular for their rapids. Along these fast-flowing stretches, visitors can try wooden log rafting, recalling the means once used to transport timber along the river. The lower gorge, Dorohatcho, is a 28-kilometer, slow-flowing section of the river where tours in glass-roofed boats are offered.