Kakusenkei Gorges, Kaga

Kakusenkei Gorge is located in Yamanaka Onsen, a historic hot spring town in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The gorge stretches 1.3 kilometers along the Daishoji River, running between Korogi Bridge upstream and Kurotani Bridge downstream. The site holds cultural significance as the place that inspired the renowned haiku poet Matsuo Basho during his visit in 1689. He praised the restorative qualities of Yamanaka's waters in his travel diary "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), writing that the hot spring waters held the same rejuvenating properties as chrysanthemum flowers. A small rustic hut called Basho-do, located near Kurotani Bridge, contains a statue commemorating the poet.

The gorge is characterized by its three distinctive bridges, each with unique architectural features. Korogi Bridge is a traditional structure built entirely from cypress wood. Ayatori Bridge, designed by Teshigahara Hiroshi, an avant-garde film director and ikebana master, features a striking modern S-shaped design completed in 1991 with a length of 94.6 meters. The bridge is illuminated at night with colors inspired by local Kutani ware. Kurotani Bridge is a stone arch bridge completed in 1935 that connects to Komatsu City.

Visitors can walk the riverside footpath that connects all three bridges, passing cedar groves, waterfalls, and pools of bluish-green water surrounded by strangely shaped rocks. Kakusenkei Kawadoko, a seasonal riverside café near Ayatori Bridge, operates from April to October from 9:30am to 4:00pm and in November from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The café features simple tatami seating under bright red umbrellas and serves sweets created by Iron Chef Rokusaburo Michiba. Entry to the seating area costs ¥300 for adults, with an additional ¥300 for sweets. The café closes on rainy days and from December to March.

The gorge is accessible by taking the Kaga Onsen Bus from JR Kaga Onsen Station to either Yamanaka Onsen Bus Terminal or Kiku no Yu-Mae bus stop. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes and costs ¥430. From either bus terminal, the gorge is a 5 to 10 minute walk. Korogi Bridge is approximately 20 minutes on foot from Yamanaka Onsen town center. There is no admission fee to walk the gorge trails, though proper footwear is recommended as some sections can be slippery when wet.