Sumatakyo Gorge

This beautiful gorge was carved by the Sunmata River, a tributary of the Oigawa River, which flows out of the southern tip of the Southern Alps. It is 16 kilometers long and reaches a height of 100 meters.

Waterfalls large and small flow through the deep valley, which is surrounded by forests of fir, tsuga, and cedar.

The pristine watershed is home to an abundance of fish such as landlocked salmon, and the forests are also inhabited by birds of prey such as mountain hawks, monkeys, Japanese serows, and other wild animals.

Beautiful autumn foliage and fresh greenery can be enjoyed throughout the year, and the spectacular scenery is one of its many attractions. The fresh green and red leaves are especially beautiful and attract many tourists during the summer months.

The area has been selected as one of the “100 Best Natural Landscapes of Japan to Leave for the 21st Century,” and the scenery is so spectacular that it has been used many times as a filming location for TV dramas.

From the hot spring resort area, a walking trail connects the 90-meter-long, 8-meter-high Yume no Hanging Bridge and the arch-style Hiryu Bridge. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to walk around the promenade. From the suspension bridge, visitors can look down on the emerald green surface of the lake and enjoy the spectacular view.

Sunmatakyo is also known as a hot spring resort and is famous for its “beauty-making hot spring. The natural hot spring water is clear and colorless, and is said to leave the skin smooth and silky after bathing.

It is recommended to spend a relaxing time in the hot spring on your way home from a stroll.

It is located about 40 minutes by bus from Senkashira Station, the last stop on the Oigawa Railway main line.

This is the last unexplored region of the Oigawa River, and if reached by car, the mountainous terrain makes the road a narrow, long-distance drive and a challenge for drivers.

Sunmatakyo Promenade Course

The Sunmatakyo Gorge can be explored on foot along a hiking course called the “Sunmatakyo Promenade Course.

The Dream Suspension Bridge is a 20-minute walk from the entrance gate of the Dream Suspension Bridge, through a tunnel.

This circular course, which uses the remains of a former forest railroad track, takes about 90 minutes to complete a round trip, and offers many attractions such as the Yume no Suspension Bridge, Hiryu Bridge, and Ozakizaka Observatory.

It is the perfect way to take a stroll in the beautiful nature and refresh yourself.

Gorge

This area was formed by the uplift of the Akaishi Mountains and the violent undercurrent action of the Sunmata River, and is characterized by its intricate flow.

Unique landforms such as meanders and through-flowing hills can be seen. The area around the village of Oma, where the Sunmatakyo Hot Springs are located, is still heavily eroded, and traces of the original riverbed can still be seen.

The upper reaches of the river are still rich in untouched nature, and in 1976 were designated as the Oigawa River Headwaters Wilderness Conservation Area.

The Hiryu Bridge and walking paths remain as remnants of the prosperous forestry industry, and have been restored as sightseeing trails. This area was selected as one of the 100 best walking trails in 2002.

Yume no Hanging Bridge (Suspension bridge with a fantastic view)

Yume no Hanging Bridge is the symbol of Sunmatakyo, a 90-meter-long and 8-meter-high suspension bridge over Lake Ohma Dam. Visitors can walk on the beautiful emerald green surface of the lake.

The walking part is made of simple planks, so it can sway a bit, which is a thrilling experience.

The bridge is famous for its fantastic beauty, and is listed in the “10 best suspension bridges in the world to cross before you die” by TripAdvisor, a travel review site.　The Yume no Suspension Bridge was selected in Japan, along with the Kazura Bridge in Tokushima Prefecture, in a list of the world’s top 10 suspension bridges to cross before you die.

From the bridge, visitors can view the emerald green lake dammed by the Oma Dam, and especially during the season of autumn leaves, there is a spectacular view point that can only be seen from this suspension bridge.

However, since only 10 people can cross the suspension bridge at a time, the bridge may become one-way during the holiday season or on days when there are many tourists.

The name “Dream Suspension Bridge” includes the meaning of a fantastic, dreamlike bridge, as well as a bridge that one might dream of being afraid to cross.

Hiryu Bridge

In addition to Yume no Suspension Bridge, there is another famous bridge, Hiryu Bridge, in Sunmatakyo.

This historical bridge was once used by the Forest Railway’s trolleys and has become a familiar symbol of Sunmatakyo.

The 100-meter-high arched iron bridge spans the gorge, and with the beautiful autumn leaves in the surrounding area, the view from the bridge is spectacular.

Ozakizaka Observatory

The view from the observatory, which is 16 kilometers long and 100 meters above sea level, is spectacular, with different appearances depending on the season.

From the observatory, you can see a part of the Oma Dam, and in autumn, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the mountains turning red and yellow.

At the entrance to the observatory, locomotives and timber trucks used for dam construction and deforestation are preserved.

Sunmatakyo Hot Springs

The hot spring resort is located at the southern end of the Southern Alps, with eight inns and guest houses in Sunmatakyo, as well as a town-operated open-air bath.

The locals call this hot spring “Bijo Zukuri no Yu,” and the town of Sunmatakyo Onsen is the center of exploration.

The spring is a sulfur spring, with a source temperature of 43.7°C and a gush rate of 540 liters per minute. The spring is known as “Bijin-no-yu” (hot water of beauty) because of its skin beautifying effects.

It is also known as a famous touring spot, attracting many motorcycles on holidays.

The hot spring itself of Sunmatakyo Onsen has existed in the Yuzan area on the north side since 1889, but it sank with the construction of the Ohma Dam.

In 1962, the source was developed by boring, and the hot spring resort was opened accordingly.

Oigawa Railway

This railroad is known for its steam locomotives (SL). Senju Station is the terminus of the Oigawa Main Line, which continues from Kanaya, and is also the transfer station for the Minami-Alps Aputo Line, Japan’s only railroad operated by an ape-trough system.

This line, called the Oigawa Railway Igawa Line, is said to have originated as a dedicated line used to construct dams for power generation on the Oigawa River system.

The 25.5-km section from Senzu Station to Igawa Station offers beautiful scenery through 61 tunnels and across 55 railway bridges.

In the hot spring resort area, there are restaurants where you can taste wild vegetables and mountain stream soba, souvenir shops, and retro cafes, where you can spend a relaxing time.