Kyushu, Japan free and easy 5: Takachiho Gorge

We took two buses and four hours to get to the gorge
We took two buses and four hours to get to the gorge. Photo - Khoon.
The LED fare counter
The LED fare counter. Photo -Khoon
Information office. Credits - Khoon
Information office. Photo - Khoon

Our next destination was a place of natural beauty – the Takachiho Gorge. It took two buses and four hours in travel time to get us to the town. Buses were usually comfortable, punctual and manned by polite bus drivers. They had a fare display on a LED board in front of the bus. It took me some time to figure out how it worked. And as was our custom, when we reached a town we looked for the information counter from where we got directions to the gorge.

It was a long walk to a blogged about soba stall and we got lost but two children walked us about 500 metres in the opposite direction to bring us to the stall. However, the queue at lunch time was too long. Pressed for time, we went to the supermarket and bought some packed lunch.

We decided to walk to Takachiho Gorge, and with the help of locals we managed to find a route down the gorge through a lovely forest with autumn leaves. At its foot we saw a beautiful gorge for romantic boat rides.  We wanted to take the boat rides but by the time we reached there they had closed the booth, so that was that. How were we to know that this was a Japanese holiday and many locals came to visit? Well anyway we saved some money here to splurge on food later.

It was the Lord’s Day so we gathered for a time of worship. We sang a song and everyone gave thanks and shared how the Lord had been with them and how they were blessed.

Walking through the town to the entrance of the Takahicho Gorge. Photos by Khoon.
Walking through the town to the entrance of the Takahicho Gorge. Photo by Khoon.
Scenic bridges and slopes.
Scenic bridge and steep cliffs.
Down the well-tarred or cement or stone paths and steps.
Down the well-tarred or cement or stone paths and steps.
The colours of autumn.
The colours of autumn.
Ladies of Marine Parade. Photo by Khoon.
Ladies of Marine Parade. Photo by Khoon.
Together over the bridge of troubled waters. Photo by Khoon.
Together over the bridge of troubled waters. Photo by Khoon.
Autumn leaves glorious in sunlight as well as in shade. Photo by Khoon.
Autumn leaves glorious in sunlight as well as in shade. Photo by Khoon.
By the edge of the gorge.
By the edge of the gorge.
Beautiful autumn branches frame the cool deep waters and waterfall.
Beautiful autumn branches frame the cool deep waters and waterfall.
At Takachiko Gorge tourist rest stop. Photo by Khoon.
After worship on the Lord's Day at Takachiko Gorge. Photo by Khoon.
Tourist bus station and restaurants and shops.
Tourist bus station and restaurants and shops.
Famous soba shop. Photo by Khoon.
Famous soba shop. Photo by Khoon.
Happy soba master with photo of his marathon exploits behind.
Happy soba master with photo of his marathon exploits behind.
Slurping it up.
Khoon slurping it up.

We patiently waited for the bus to bring us back to town where we had an evening meal at that soba restaurant which is run by a Japanese marathoner who once represented his country in the Olympics. The Japanese food was delicious. The soba, the sauce, the everything. Great quality, great value, great service.

Since we had to wait for the train, we had fun.
Since we had to wait for the train, we had fun.
We set the camera on a tripod and we had to time our jumps. Photo by Khoon.
We set the camera on a tripod and we had to time our jumps. Photo by Khoon.

By the time we returned to Extol Inn, it was dark and we settled for a Mos Burger before we retired for the night.

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