Usual hours and prices, checked 2026-10-07 against the sources under “What this place is”. They can change for holidays and events — confirm before you go. Official site
Our guide
Kikuchi Valley, spanning the cities of Aso and Kikuchi in Kumamoto, is the source of the Kikuchi River. Known for its resorts and autumn leaves, it lies near the outer rim of the Aso caldera, where the slopes are covered with fir, hemlock, elm and broadleaf trees. Its water has been chosen by the Ministry of the Environment as one of Japan's 100 best waters, and it has several waterfalls on Japan's top 100 waterfalls list, as well as rapids.
There have been a number of drowning accidents here, so take care near the water. We have not checked the paths or a public-transport route.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Tengu fall in the Kikuchi River 001 — Naokijp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Kumamoto-Kikuchi Gorge-xl — 江頭潤吉 · CC BY 4.0 · source · resized
- Kikuchi-Keikoku Hirogawara — Shift · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- Entrance to Kikuchi valley — アラツク · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- 43mantaki — Aju1219 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Tengu waterfall — アラツク · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Kikuchi-River-valley — NY066 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- Kikuchikeikoku — NY066 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- Kikuchi Valley, Kumamoto – Japan (5538351584) — William Cho · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source · resized
- (熊本県) 広河原。菊池渓谷にある。 - panoramio — Shift · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
What this place is
Kikuchi Valley is the located in Aso and Kikuchi, Kumamoto cities in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu, Japan. It is the source of the Kikuchi River. The valley is an area known for its resorts and autumn leaves. The area around the outer rim of Mount Aso is concealed by fir, hemlock, elm, and broadleaf trees. Water from the Aso Kujū National Park has been chosen as one of Japan's top 100 sources of mineral water by the Ministry of the Environment. The area is home to several waterfalls, which have made Japan’s top 100 waterfalls list, and rapids. A number of drowning accidents have occurred in the area.
Visitor information checked: 2026-10-07 · Official visitor information · Official visitor information
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Lakes & falls
Getting there
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