[Miyagi] Rairaikyo is a wonderful spot for people of all ages!

50 minutes by car from Sendai Station.
There is a gorge lined with strangely shaped rocks along the Natori River that runs through Akiu Onsen Village.
Approximately 1 km upstream and downstream across the Akiu Onsen entrance intersection.
Its name is ``Rairaikyo''.

As you can probably tell by looking at the kanji in the name, the highlight is the stones!
stone! stone! ! There you will find stone art created by Mother Nature over thousands of years.
By the way, the name was given by German literary scholar Toyotaka Komiya, a student of Natsume Soseki.
Don't you think it's a stylish name that expresses the landscape that is overwhelmed by stones?

Rairikyo has recently become famous as a sacred place for couples!
If you take a look at Instagram, you'll see that new images are uploaded one after another every holiday!

This time, we will introduce Rairikyo Gorge, a famous spot in Akiu that can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages!

A promenade lined with strangely shaped rocks!

The entrance to the Rairikyo promenade is right next to National Route 48.
It is located at the Akiu Onsen entrance intersection, next to a bridge called Nozomi Bridge.

The promenade is approximately 680 meters downstream from the peep bridge.
The road is surrounded by trees and rocks, and the bridge is nicely shaded, so it's nice that it's not too hot even in the summer.
It can be enjoyed in less than an hour, so you'll want to take a leisurely stroll while listening to the sound of the river flowing.

As soon as we entered the promenade, many strangely shaped rocks appeared in front of us.
Introducing representative rocks:

With no prior knowledge

“This is a strange-looking rock.”

It's a name that you'll definitely agree with even if you say so.
It would be fun to give your favorite rock a name!

The rocks are not the only attraction.
The flowers blooming on the side of the promenade also add to the mood of the walk.

The image is the scenery I walked in July.
July was hydrangea season in Akiu.
One of the charms of walking through Rairikyo Gorge is being able to appreciate nature in all four seasons.

Rairikyo looks great on Instagram! ? What are the recommended points that are popular among young people?

It is only recently that Rairikyo has become a popular spot for young couples.
In fact, in January 2014, Rairikyo was certified as a sacred place for lovers, ``Nozokibashi♡Heart,'' by the ``Lover's Sacred Land Project'' sponsored by fashion designer Yumi Katsura.

Speaking of Nozomi Bridge, it is the bridge located at the Akiu Onsen entrance intersection.
This is the entrance to the promenade.
If you look into Rairikyo from the top of the bridge...?

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A post shared by Ken Kuri (@kuriken117)

There's a heart-shaped depression in the rock!
This is exactly the peep bridge ♡ heart!

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A post shared by Ken Kuri (@kuriken117)

It's surprisingly easy to find, so it's recommended not only for couples but also for families with small children!
Be sure to look for it before you take a walk on the promenade or before you take a breather after your walk!

What to do after enjoying Rairikyo?

Rairikyo Gorge is close to Akiu Onsen Village.
After enjoying the walk, you might want to visit the hot springs, but before that, why not take a walk around the spots that can only be enjoyed in Akiu?
NEFT features several sightseeing spots in Akiu.
Let's introduce some of them here.

・
Sendai Kaleidoscope Museum This is a rare art museum in the world that mainly deals with kaleidoscopes.

You can look into various kaleidoscopes inside the museum.
Also, you can experience making your very own kaleidoscope, which is the only one in the world, so even small children will be very happy!

・
Akiu Village A representative facility in Akiu where you can buy fresh produce and souvenirs.
There are many ways to have fun, such as taking a break while eating Sanzokuyaki and Akiu Oden at the food court, or checking out the handmade market held on holidays!
The tea footbath “Chaporin” is something you should try at least once!

・
A shop for housewives A regular supermarket that sells ``Akiu Ohagi'', which has long lines.

You can't say you've completed your Akiu trip unless you try Akiu Ohagi, which is so delicious that you can eat as many as you want!
They may sell out in the afternoon, so get yours in the morning!

INFORMATION

• Name: Rairikyo
• Address: Yumoto, Akiu-cho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture 982-0241
• URL: Sendai City official website

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