Enjoy the breathtaking ocean view from the summit of Kankakei, one of Japan's three most beautiful gorges

Must-See Scenery in Shodoshima: Kankakei Gorge

In addition to Angel Road and the windmill at Olive Park, one of the must-see sights in Shodoshima is Kankakei Gorge, one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges. Located at the highest point in central Shodoshima, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of both mountains and the sea—an experience you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

After purchasing our desired soy sauce from the Marukin Soy Sauce Memorial Hall, we drove to Kankakei. The entire route was a mountain road, but fortunately, it was all paved, making for an easy drive. Once we reached the parking lot below KOUN Hillside Station, we walked uphill toward the ropeway boarding area. The ropeway ride to the summit took about five minutes.

After purchasing our tickets, we got ready to board the ropeway—a cute pink cable car. We had the whole cable car to ourselves, as we didn’t see any other passengers, likely because they were already at the summit.

↑Here is a short clip of less than one minute from a longer four-minute video recording the entire ride. The gorge is incredibly close to the cable car, and the towering rock walls look spectacular—truly worthy of being one of Japan’s three most beautiful gorges.

Reaching the Summit of Kankakei Gorge

Arriving at the summit station, we stepped out into a spacious area featuring a stone monument. Standing next to the monument, we could take in a stunning bird’s-eye view of the coastline. The breathtaking scenery at this height is easily accessible thanks to the combination of driving and the ropeway ride.

Looking out at the vast Seto Inland Sea, we could see many ships scattered across the water, with the harmony of mountains and sea creating a magnificent landscape. Below, there was a reservoir-like area, further enhancing the scenic beauty of the region.

Dark clouds loomed over the summit station, a sign that a typhoon was approaching. If it had been sunny, we might have needed a break at the pavilion of the second observation point. In the distance, we spotted a circular ring resembling the kawarake-nage at Amanohashidate’s Kasamatsu Park in Kyoto by the Sea. The tradition involves tossing a small, disc-shaped clay tile into the ring, and if it lands inside, your wish may come true.

Exploring the Takatori Observatory Deck & “Soranotama” Art Installation

We then walked toward the Takatori Observatory Deck. After a brief two-minute hike along a small mountain trail, we arrived at a more open viewpoint. However, with the thick clouds gathering, it felt as though rain might be imminent.

Besides admiring the stunning scenery, we also visited an art installation from the Setouchi Triennale 2022 called Soranotama (Sky Sphere).

The panoramic view from this spot was spectacular, especially with the spherical structure framing the seascape. Standing inside the sphere, we felt a profound sense of unity between ourselves, the sky, and the sea—making it a perfect Instagram-worthy location.

Afterward, we headed back to the summit station to take the ropeway down. Although hiking down the mountain was an option, we had round-trip ropeway tickets, so we decided to save that experience for another visit. Next time, if I have a week to explore Shodoshima, I would love to hike leisurely through Kankakei, appreciating its renowned Twelve Scenic Views and Eight Hidden Views.

Returning to the Parking Area

While waiting for the ropeway, we explored the summit station’s exhibition space and art displays. There were also areas outside for chatting, resting, and dining—offering both scenic views and fresh mountain air. If time allows, you could easily spend a relaxing morning or afternoon here.

After taking the ropeway back down to KOUN Hillside Station, we descended the stairs to our parked car. Since we forgot to take pictures before boarding earlier, we took a few shots before leaving. The parking area was well-organized, with most vehicles being compact cars. For those who prefer not to take the ropeway, hiking up from the parking lot is a great option, with the possibility of taking the ropeway back down if needed.

Kankakei Gorge is truly a place worth visiting. If I had more time, I would definitely return to hike and admire all its scenic spots in detail.

Kankakei Gorge (寒霞溪)

Website：https://www.kankakei.co.jp/

Address:

KOUN Hillside Station: 327-1 Kamagari-dōri Otsu, Shodoshima-chō, Shōzu-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
Sancho Summit Station: 168 Kamagari-dōri Otsu, Shodoshima-chō, Shōzu-gun, Kagawa Prefecture

Phone Numbers: