Ordinary tourists don’t go to Yokoya Ravine

Chino people cultivates the highlands at the foot of Yatsugatake mountains for farming, but the valleys are deep and it is difficult to get water on the highlands.    This Yokoya Ravine is one of those deep valleys.    On the other hands, during the season of autumn leaves, it is beautiful to look up from inside the valley, and from the high ground you can see the Central Alps beyond the carpet of autumn leaves.

yokoya ravine1 otome fall
yokoya ravine1 otome fall

From the Fairy Tale Road, take the side road to Yokoya Hotspring Hotel and first go down to Otome Falls.    However, this is an artificial waterfall.    They simply drop water by forming part of a waterway on a plateau where water is not available due to deep valleys.    I ended up taking many pictures thinking it was a completely natural waterfall.   Afterwards, we continued on the promenade for about an hour along the valley to the Ohtaki(King, directly translated) Falls, one of the highlights and the shape likes a crown, although we felt a bit uneasy along the way not meeting anybody.

Oshidori-Kakushi(Pair birds hidden, directly translated) Falls, another highlight located upstream, can be approached from the only opposite bank, so it is efficient to descend to Yokoya Ravine after seeing Mishakaike on Yumichi Street.    It is a dynamic waterfall with a large amount of water.

 You can also see this valley from the top of the hill, then return to the Fairy Tale Road and enter the side road that leads to the Yokoya Kannon view point deck.   After walking for about 30 minutes along a scenic promenade from the parking lot, you will arrive at the deck covered in autumn leaves.    From here you can see Ohtaki fall from above.    Furthermore, when I crossed the villa area on my way back to the Fairy Tale Road from Yumichi Street, I came across a family of deers many times.    We cannot tell you where it is, but if you see one, please pass by quietly so as not to startle it.

shirakoma pond0 cover photo
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