A Gokase River Expedition
Gokase is an unexplored land waiting to be discovered. Located on the southern Kyushu Island in Miyazaki Prefecture, Gokase Highland is famous for skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Relatively unknown outside winter, this hidden village is full of exciting outdoor activities. During my recent expedition to Gokase, I made several new friends, explored beautiful landscapes, and had an amazing experience traveling down the Gokase River. Anyone who visits Gokase must spend at least a few hours exploring the areas around the Gokase River. Walking towards the river, every turn
Kayaking, Canoeing, and Waterfalls Along the Gokase River
As I approached the riverside, two large rows of multicolored kayaks and canoes were set up on the bank. The locals, including Sugita-san and Hiro-san, are helpful and friendly beyond words and acted as my tour guides for the day. We started off with some light stretching and then followed a short tutorial on paddling in the kayak. Once on the river the beauty of the area really came to life. As the morning mist receded slowly from the area a slight fog hovered over the river. All you could hear at this point was the sounds of nature and the calm sounds of the water as the paddles went back and forth. Looking out,
Unokono Waterfall
As we trekked our way up the river we stopped off at the gorgeous Unokono waterfall. A small rocky path through some bushes drops you off right underneath the waterfall creating the perfect photo opportunity. The waterfall is a beautiful area during the summer, though another recommended viewing time is during fall with the leaves changing colors all around you. After exploring the waterfall area, we jumped back into our boats. As the fog started to lift off the river we turned around towards the starting site coasting back downstream. When the fog cleared, a truly beautiful scenic