Geibikei, a hidden gem in Iwate that even some locals don't know about

Geibikei Gorge, which is said to have been an unexplored region even before the Meiji era, and which even people who lived nearby did not know about, was the first place in Iwate Prefecture to be designated as a national scenic spot (in 1923).
It is a 2km long valley with 100m cliffs on both sides, created by eroding limestone.

Photo by Nisa yeh – Geihana Oiwake /Size-adapted.

The name Geibikei was given by local volunteers, including Sato Geigan, a man of merit who invested his personal funds in developing this area. The name derives from the ``Shishigahana'' that juts out from the large quay on the opposite bank of Yinshō-oka, which is the turning point for boat trips. Nowadays, it is called the Yabakei of the East (Oita Prefecture).

A boat trip over many strangely shaped rocks that are said to be a rare sight in the world.

It is famous for rowing boats down the clear river, where the boatman controls the boat with a single pole and sings "Geihana Oiwake." Unusually for tourist destinations in Japan, the boat travels upriver. When a large number of people are on board and there are two boatmen, it is best to explain this line and say, ``It's very tiring to row and sing alone, so there are two boatmen.'' It has become a standard.

Not only the season of autumn leaves when the trees change color, but also the season of snow, which gives off an atmosphere similar to a landscape painting, and the season of fresh greenery.The scenery of all four seasons becomes picturesque. It is especially famous in spring, when the purple wisteria flowers bloom on the cliffs, making it a famous tourist attraction. Bunches of brightly colored wisteria hang down from Fujiiwa Rock along the clear stream, and there is a wisteria trellis on the way to Geihaniwa Rock.

In addition to the seasonal scenery, tea ceremony boats appear in the spring and autumn seasons, and you can enjoy an elegant tea ceremony on a boat.
In winter, it becomes a kotatsu boat, and you can enjoy the snowy scenery while enjoying hot pot and kamameshi on the warm boat. At the turning point of the boat ride, throwing unglazed balls called Undama into the hollow of the rock is also a specialty. Undama are sold with seven types of characters written on them: Fuku, Midori, Longevity, Love, Wish, Luck, and Tadashi. It is said that your wish will come true if you select a lucky ball with your favorite character written on it, throw it, and successfully land it in the hollow of the rock.

Also in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, there is Genbikei Gorge, which is the city's number one tourist spot, and many tourists visit both here and there.

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