Sounkyo

A gorge in Daisetsuzan National Park where the Ishikari River has cut through a basalt plateau to create an 8-kilometer canyon with perpendicular columnar cliff faces rising up to 150 meters. The gorge narrows at two sections called Kobako and Obako where the walls press close on both sides, and waterfalls including Ryusei and Ginga falls drop into the gorge from hanging valleys above. An onsen resort town at the gorge entrance provides access to the surrounding alpine trails.