| Length | Path along river is 2.7 km one way |
| Notes | Photography spot Wheelchair access |
| Location | 5 minute walk from Keikoku Park. 10 minute walk from Takinoue park |
Fishing spot
Takinoue Gorge (Kinsenkyo) is a hidden gem in the pleasant town of Takinoue and is formed from the Shokotsu River that flows from east to west. The gorge has a fantastic walking track that runs on both sides of the river offering great views down the gorge, and was voted as one of Hokkaido’s top hundred tourist spots for its breathtaking scenery. The path runs for 2.7km one way, starting from the rainbow bridge to the Keikoku Park Camping Ground. This river is a popular spot for fly fishing and was one of the first places in Japan to introduce the catch and release system. If you enjoy fishing this is a great spot to catch some rainbow trout. This river is beautiful in all seasons, especially in the autumn, as the leaves turn.
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Rainbow Bridge & Dragon falls
Along the trail there are some nice spots for photos, such as the Rakuyo Falls. There is a small observation point that overlooks the falls, making it a good spot for photos.There are a number of small waterfalls and tributaries and bridges along the path. On the western end of the river, you will find the rainbow bridge. The rainbow bridge name doesn’t come from old Norse mythology, rather that there is a fountain on the downstream side of the bridge and when the fountain is operating, the suns rays form the rainbow. The two tiered bridge is at the junction of the Shokotsu River and the Sakuru River, where they meet and form the ‘Water Dragon Waterfall’. The rainbow bridge offers views over these rivers, as well as Takinoue Park. On the second level of the bridge there is a slide for the kids down to the first level.
| Dates | Early May to early June |
| Opening Hours | 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (no illumination) |
| Entry fee | ¥500 Adults ¥250 Children |
| Contact | 0158-29-2730 http://takinoue.com/ |
| Notes | Parking available Best viewing time - Mid may Helicopter tour available |
| Location / Getting There | 3 and a half hour drive from Sapporo. 2 hour drive from Asahikawa Takinoue Park, Motomachi, Takinoue, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido 099-5604 |
Moss pink
From the start of May to the start of June, the small town of Takinoue displays its most famous sightseeing spot, the Takinoue Park Shibazakura. Shibazakura, also known as ‘moss pink’, or ‘creeping phlox’ is an evergreen mat that blooms five-petaled flowers in rose, mauve, blue, white, or pink during the spring. This festival began in 1956 and Takinoue, at 100,000 square meters, is literally covered from top to bottom with millions of these beautiful flowers, making the park an extraordinary place to visit in the spring! The best time to visit being in mid May.
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Phlox House
There are many paths in which to wander around the hillside and get some photos. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, then why not view the whole park from the air? At ¥5000 per adult, you can take a six minute helicopter ride that will take you over Takinoue Park. The flowers and festival lasts for a month in which there are stage events and stalls. Also located at the park is the ‘Phlox House’ where you can buy some souvenirs, have a coffee, take a rest, or try a ‘Shibazakura ice cream’. Restrooms are also located here.
Takinoue is a small town, which means there is no train station unfortunately. For those without their own transport, to get to Takinoue it is advised to rent a car from Sapporo or take the train to Asahikawa and rent a car from there. For car rentals in Asahikawa, you can check the Asahikawa rental site by clicking here . It will take some time to drive there and it is recommended to stay at least one day in Takinoue, as there are other things to see!
