A Travel Guide to Kiyotsu Gorge: Spectacular Scenery Where Nature Meets Art

Columnar joints are regular, pillar-like geological formations.
As lava and magma cool and solidify, their volume decreases.
As they shrink, they form cracks that turn into pentagonal or hexagonal columns.
These are then revealed through river erosion and land uplift.
Columnar joints are nature’s art, created by the Earth itself.
The overwhelming power and strength are not the result of any human intervention.
At Kiyotsu Gorge, immerse yourself in the incredible beauty created by the clear stream, columnar joints, and surrounding nature.

At Kiyotsu Gorge, many trees—such as Japanese maples, Japanese oak, konara oak, and sumac—turn color.
The area around the columnar joints is dyed in various shades, including yellow and orange.
It’s like a natural object painted with pigments.
Leaves colored in yellow and red also tint the surrounding mountains, creating a wonderful contrast with Kiyotsu Gorge.

When Kiyotsu Gorge is covered in snow, a silver-white world stretches out before you.
The snow-dusted scenery is endlessly beautiful and fleeting.
You can see it from mid-December to February, and it’s so romantic it’ll take your breath away.
If you’re visiting Kiyotsu Gorge in winter, don’t forget a waterproof coat or jacket with a hood, rain boots, and gloves.
However, heavy snowfall may lead to winter closures, so be sure to check the weather.

The tunnel entrance features a design inspired by columnar joints, with diagonal patterns.
Since it’s also a popular photo spot, be sure to take a commemorative picture here.

From the First Observation Point, you can view the rock surface of the columnar joints up close.
They’re basically hexagonal columns, but depending on the spot, you might find square or pentagonal ones too.
Because it’s the simplest space, you can feel the greatness of Kiyotsu Gorge even more closely.

From the Second Observation Point, you can see the columnar joints just like from the First Observation Point.
The key feature is the metal-colored restroom in the center.
The stalls at the back let you see outside from the inside, while the inside can’t be seen from outside, thanks to a one-way mirror design.
Try using this artistic restroom too.

The Third Observation Point’s highlight is the performance of art and columnar joints together.
On the tunnel wall, there are mirrors installed and lit by backlighting.
It’s like a time machine space that connects to the future.
You might feel a strange sensation, as if you’ve merged with nature.

At the Panorama Station, the entire floor is a water mirror.
Because of this, the outside scenery reflects on the surface, creating a beautiful view like a scene from a movie.
You can also feel Kiyotsu Gorge’s changing seasons, making it the most popular photo spot.
The edges are 0.5 cm to 2 cm deep.
You don’t have to worry about your shoes getting wet, but if you’re concerned, bring a towel.

These rice terraces in the Matsunoyama and Matsudai areas of Tokamachi City were selected for “100 Best Rural Villages in Japan.” The sight of Approx. 200 rice paddies lined up along the mountainside is a spectacular view that truly symbolizes Niigata, Japan’s rice country.
Many people may also remember the opening footage of the NHK Taiga drama Tenchijin.
The best season is fall. When water is added to the fields after the rice harvest, they become “water mirrors.”
Early in the morning, if you’re lucky, you may even see a sea of clouds.
Beyond fall, the scenery changes through the seasons: spring with beautiful fresh greenery, summer with lush green rice plants, and winter blanketed in white snow.

A man-made lake in Suibara, Agano City, famous as a migration site for swans. Every year in early October, the first group arrives from Siberia to spend the winter. They stay at Hyoko until late March, and at the peak around late November, you can see over 5,000 swans here.
Designated a National Natural Monument as the “Swan Migration Site of Suibara,” it was also registered under the Ramsar Convention (an international treaty to protect wetlands and ecosystems for waterbirds) in 2008.

Uwasekigata Park, spread out at the foot of Mount Kakuda, has a lagoon where wild birds live within its vast grounds, making it a place where you can spend relaxed time in nature.
It’s Approx. a 10-minute drive from Makimachi’s downtown area, and easy to reach by bus from Niigata Station, yet it covers Approx. 263,000 square meters—perfect for casually enjoying the great outdoors.
Inside the park, there’s an Approx. 2-hectare canola flower field and Approx. 450 cherry trees, and in spring you can see bright canola flowers and cherry blossoms in full bloom at the same time.
With vivid yellow and pink stretching as far as the eye can see, you’re sure to capture social media-worthy photos.

A Japanese-style ryokan located on a hill in Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen, Niigata, known for its wide variety of bathing facilities such as open-air baths and cave baths.
With a convenient location Approx. a 5-minute drive from Yuzawa IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway and a 7-minute walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station, you can fully enjoy Echigo-Yuzawa’s famous hot springs.
The onsen facilities include Sora no Yu, Yama no Yu, and Sato no Yu, with Sora no Yu being the top-floor panoramic large bath overlooking the Tanigawa mountain range.

A four-season resort hotel in Yuzawa Town, Niigata, and the only Hotel New Otani property surrounded by nature.
In winter, the ski-only NASPA Ski Garden opens with direct access from the hotel, where everyone from beginners to advanced skiers can enjoy skiing and snow activities.
With a wide range of guest room types, including family rooms and Japanese-style rooms, it’s ideal for relaxing and recovering from travel fatigue.

Kaikake Onsen is said to have a 700-year history, and since the Edo period it has been known for its benefits for eye conditions.
Surrounded by the mountains of Okuyuzawa, this nature-rich area lies farther up a steep road, where a charming manor-style inn stands as if you’ve time-traveled.
The guest rooms are in a two-story wooden building, centered around the main building built in 1896, along with an entrance building and annexes—each offering a relaxing Japanese-style space filled with the warmth of wood.