Takachiho Gorge guide: Boat reservations, same-day tickets and walking trails

Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡) is in northern Miyazaki Prefecture. Entry is free; fees apply to boat rides and parking. Boat reservations have specific booking periods, and same-day tickets can sell out early on some dates. This article summarizes the official information.

Key points

The gorge walking trail is free to enter and is about 1 km long.
Boat rides last 30 minutes. Each boat holds up to 3 people (or 4 including preschool children).
Online booking opens at 9:00 two weeks before the ride and closes at 9:00 two days before. Credit-card prepayment is required; telephone reservations and waiting lists are not accepted.
Same-day tickets go on sale in the morning at the boat reception desk and may sell out quickly.
The direct highway bus from Miyazaki to Takachiho has been suspended since May 2024.

Walking trail and sights

The walking trail is about 1 km long and passes the three Takachiho bridges and the Oniya Chikaraishi stone.
Manai Falls (真名井の滝): the official page describes a drop of about 17 metres, its place among the Hundred Waterfalls of Japan, and its role as a symbol of the gorge.

Rowing boats

Item	Official information
Hours	8:30 to 17:00; last reception 16:30
Ride duration	30 minutes; 1,000 yen per additional 10 minutes
Price	4,100 yen or 5,100 yen per boat depending on the date; check the official calendar
Capacity	3 people per boat, or 4 including preschool children; only people aged 13 or over may row
Prohibited	Pets and large luggage
Raincoats	Only size L is available, for 200 yen, cash only

Reservations and same-day tickets

Online reservations: open at 9:00 two weeks before the ride and close at 9:00 two days before; credit-card prepayment only. The operator explicitly states that telephone reservations and waiting lists are unavailable.
Same-day tickets: sold in the morning at the Takachiho Gorge boat reception desk. Availability changes by date, and you cannot choose a time slot.
Example: on 28 October 2026, the official page showed about 55 same-day tickets for 29 October and about 60 for 30 October. Tickets for 28 October sold out by 11:05. This was a snapshot of those dates, not an indication of availability on other days.

When does the boat service close?

Scheduled safety inspections in January, April, July and October may close the service for an entire day.
Emergency safety inspections
High river levels: service stops when rainfall raises the water level.
Earthquakes: service stops at seismic intensity 3 or above.
Boat rides are possible in the rain, but a raincoat or umbrella is needed. The operator warns that rising water levels may cause closure.

Parking

Parking lot	Official information
Lot 1 (Oshioi)	1,000 yen
Lot 2 (Araragi)	1,000 yen
Lot 3 (Ohashi)	800 yen; first 60 minutes free after entry; charging hours 8:00 to 17:00, free at night
Lot 4 (Oshikata)	500 yen; first 60 minutes free after entry; charging hours 8:00 to 17:00, free at night
Lot 5 (Taguchino)	The official page does not list a price

Getting there

Miyazaki Kotsu’s official notice states that the direct highway bus from Miyazaki City to Takachiho has been suspended indefinitely since 7 May 2024. The notice says future service is still under discussion and gives no resumption date. This article does not have official information on other ways to reach Takachiho; consult bus and railway operators’ official websites directly.

Checks before departure

If you want to row, book online from 9:00 two weeks before your ride and complete the booking before the deadline.
Without a reservation, queue at reception in the morning; tickets are limited.
After rain or earthquakes, check the official service-status notice.
If driving, choose a parking lot in advance.

More Miyazaki content will be added later. For a regional overview, see the Kyushu travel guide.