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Edited by: Declan Murphy Recommended: Suggested Itineraries Favorite Wakayama moments... Best ways to get there Wakayama Photogallery Newsgroups: fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ Bulletin Boards: Fun/Clubs/nightlife  Accommodation/Discounts |
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Dorokyo Gorge is one of the most beautiful and secluded gorges in Japan. Its towering cliffs, ancient yet magestic forests, and strange rock formations set amid the emerald green waters of the Kitagawa River attract nature lovers from all over the world. The gorge is located in Yoshino-kumano National Park, which runs along the borders of Wakayama, Nara and Mie prefectures. The best times of year to visit the gorge are in the spring, when the azalea and rhododendron are in bloom, or in the fall, when you can see the reds, orange and gold of the changing leaves. Sculptures made from the localdeep black stone are typical souvenirs of the area.
The two upper gorges are know as "Shimo Doro" (1.2 km) and "Kami Doro" (2km). They are the destinations for the more adventurous types who want to shoot the rapids on a traditional Japanese raft. Rafting on the upper gorges is limited to May through September. There are three rafting courses described in the table below, but you should check with the Tourist Information Centers about rafting schedules and costs as they may change.
| Courses | May | June & September | July & August |
| lower gorge at 11:50am (1 hr 20 min) | Sat, Sun & national holidays | Sat, Sun & national holidays | Fri-Mon |
| upper gorge at 1pm (1 hr 20 min) | closed | Sat, Sun & national holidays | Fri-Mon |
| whole gorge at 10:40am (2hrs 50min) | closed | Sat, Sun & national holidays | Fri-Mon |
The lower gorge, know as "Doro Hatcho", extends along 28 km of deep, calm water. You can visit Doro Hatcho on a two hour long tour in a glassroofed boat. Not surprisingly, the lower gorge gets more visitors than the upper gorge. Boat tours of Doro Hatcho operate year round but schedules vary by season:
| March 1- November 5 | 8:30am-3:10pm |
| November 6-30 | 8:30am-2:10pm |
| December - February | 9:30am-2:10pm |
How to get there
Upper gorge: Take the bus from Kumano station to Kita-mura.
Lower gorge: Take the bus from Shingu station to the Ogawaguchi stop in Shiko. The bus takes about 45 mintues and is coordinated with boat times.
Tours - The Japan Discovery Tours visit Kii Peninsula.
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Opening hours, prices, booking procedures, schedules etc are subject to changes beyond our control. Check and confirm in advance. Suggestions, additions and correction of errors are always welcome.
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