Nakatsu Valley, Village of Laughter, Dragon God of Seven Lucky Gods [Kochi]

【Nakatsu Valley summary】

Nakatsu Keikoku was a famous place known only to the locals until a walking trail was built. It is now a prefectural nature park, but there are stone statues of seven gods of good fortune and shrines in the park, and it has been selected as one of the 88 waterfront sites on Shikoku Island. There is a 2-kilometer promenade along the canyon, where you can enjoy the beauty of the canyon that you can only experience for a moment at a time, depending on the sound of birds, the seasons, the day of your visit, and the temperature and weather at that time of day.

This was near where I parked until the rain slowed down, as I was on my way from Kochi to Aichi and felt unsafe due to very heavy downpour and poor visibility. After parking, the rain stopped for a while, so I stopped by to check the surrounding area, which was not on my original plan. The above photo was taken because I was impressed by the moment when the rain clouds were receding.

【Nakatsu Valley promenade】

Nakatsu Gorge Prefectural Park seems to have a promenade around 1.6 km to 2 km in length.

The canyon walk was about an hour round trip. The trail is well maintained, but good footwear is recommended.

Visitors can experience nature as they pass under the jutting rocks.

【Nakatsu Valley Seven Gods of Fortune and Ryuoh Shrine】

Statues of the seven gods of good fortune are placed along the path, and it is a pleasure to walk around looking for them.

You will see a torii gate in the middle of the canyon. It is a small shrine, which I think is Benzaiten.

Continue onward, finding Bishamonten, Ebisuten, Benzaiten, Daikokuten, Jurokujin, Jurojin, and Hoteiwa, all of whom are seated in various other forms.

【Nakatsu Valley viewing platform】

I felt that it was difficult for elderly people and children to reach the observatory due to the steep stairs. It may be beautiful during the fall foliage season.

【Nakatsu Valley Uryu Waterfall】

The Uryu Falls, the symbol of the Nakatsu Valley, was powerful. The atmosphere was so sacred that I was a little afraid to approach it.

It is a first-class river flowing through Kochi and Ehime prefectures, and is called Omogogawa in Ehime Prefecture. Even though the river was muddy after the rain, it was this clear. The cleanness of the river and the fallen trees looked fantastic.

【Nakatsu Valley Access】