Kiyotsukyo Gorge

Kiyotsu Gorge is a gorge formed by the Kiyotsu River, a tributary of the Shinano River.
It is a V-shaped grand canyon with huge cliffs cutting across its 12.5-kilometer length, and is a magnificent scenic spot with its columnar-jointed rock surfaces and emerald-green clear stream.

It is designated as a national scenic beauty spot and natural monument, and together with Kurobe Gorge and Osugi Valley, is one of Japan’s three great canyons.

Since the promenade is closed to traffic, visitors can view the scenery from the Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel, a 750-meter-long pedestrian tunnel for viewing the gorge.

There are three viewing stations along the tunnel and a panorama station at the end, from which visitors can view the grandeur and majestic beauty of the gorge.

The round trip takes about 40-60 minutes, and there are video and photo exhibits in the tunnel.

The entire tunnel was renovated as a work of art by artist Ma Jansson for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale in 2018.

The work, “Tunnel of Light,” located near the exit, uses stainless steel plate walls and a floor surface filled with water from the stream, allowing visitors to enjoy reflections of the canyon scenery.

In the old days, Kiyotsukyo was generally viewed from the promenade (trail) along the Kiyotsu River, named for the strange rocks and monstrous stones, but the promenade was closed to traffic due to falling rocks in the gorge.

However, the trail was closed to traffic due to falling rocks in the gorge. The gorge’s beauty could not be seen for a while after that, but a trail tunnel was opened to allow visitors to enjoy the gorge’s beauty safely.