The Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel's "panorama station" (© Ma Yansong / MAD Architects "Tunnel of Light")
The Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel has become a popular destination for photography and social media. Located in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, the tunnel's endpoint offers a breathtaking view of Kiyotsu Gorge, one of Japan's three great gorges. The gorge is beautifully reflected in the tunnel's water-covered floor, creating stunning visual effects.
Constructed in 1996 to provide a safe and scenic viewing of the gorge, the tunnel was later transformed into an art piece by the Chinese architectural group MAD Architects during the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (ETAT) art festival.
Advanced Booking Required
In 2023, visitor numbers to the tunnel surged by about 60%, reaching approximately 320,000. Following the reclassification of COVID-19 as a Class 5 infectious disease in May 2023, travel resumed, helping visitor numbers bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in tourists from Taiwan and South Korea.
Due to its growing popularity, visitor access will be controlled during this year's ETAT. From July 13 to November 10, on all weekends and public holidays, as well as on specific weekdays (August 2, August 13-16, and October 21 to November 8), advanced booking is required through platforms like Asoview.
Key Features
I visited the tunnel in late June to avoid the busy season. Despite outdoor temperatures nearing 30°C (about 86°F), the tunnel's interior remained refreshingly cool. Izumi Kuwabara, a member of the Tokamachi City Tourism Association, noted, "The temperature inside the tunnel consistently stays around 20°C."
This 750-meter-long tunnel (about 2,461 feet), featuring three viewing platforms, is renowned as a prime photography location. Its "panorama station" is particularly popular.
At the second viewing platform, visitors encounter a striking metallic structure that turns out to be a restroom. The silver surfaces act as a two-way mirror, providing a unique view from the inside out.
Further along, at the third viewing platform, walls are adorned with dewdrop-shaped mirrors, enhancing the area's mystical atmosphere. The panorama station, located in the deepest part of the public area, offers a stunning view of the emerald-green Kiyotsu River as it meanders through the gorge. Even on a quiet weekday, many tourists can be found taking photos.
Yukiko Mamizuka from Isesaki, Gunma Prefecture, expressed her delight on her third visit: "It's refreshing to view such spectacular natural scenery. No matter how many times I come, this place remains enchanting and delightful."
About Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel
The tunnel is located at 2119-2 Koidemizunoto, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. To visit, take a bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station toward Mori-Miyanohara Station. Get off at the Kiyotsu Gorge entrance and walk for about 30 minutes. If driving, it takes about 20 minutes from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway via National Route 353.
The parking facility accommodates 155 vehicles and is free of charge. Admission fees are ¥1,000 JPY (about $7 USD) for adults and ¥400 JPY for elementary and junior high school students, while preschool children enter free. The tunnel operates from March to November, open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with the last admission at 4:30 pm.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Kenichi Honda, The Sankei Shimbun
