One of Japan's top three gorges.
Kiyotsu Gorge and Tunnel of Light
■About the Advance Reservation System
In order to reduce congestion, there are a periods of time when admission is restricted only to those with advance reservations. No same-day tickets will be sold during those periods.
→For more information, click here.
■Introduction of Seasonal precing system
A season precing system has been introduced from 2025.
Admission fees will change between high season (April 21-November 20) and off season (November 21-April 20).
→For more information, click here.
Kiyotsukyo Gorge, is known as one of Japan's three great gorges along with Kurobe Gorge and Osugi Valley, It has huge rock walls that cut across the river to create a V-shaped gorge.
The magnificent columnar jointed rock surface and dynamic scenery of the Kiyotsu River are amazing and leave a deep impression on visitors. Furthermore, in occasion of the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, the tunnel was transformed into an artwork by the Chinese architectural group Ma Yansong / MAD Architects, and in addition to significant renewal of the tunnel interior, entrance facilities were also installed. Inspired by the "five elements" of nature (wood, earth, metal, fire, and water), the architectural space and artistic atmosphere were crafted to enrich this tunnel.
Time required to visit the tunnel: about 40 minutes to 1 hour round trip (about 750 meters each way)
The entrance facility "Periscope" also offers a footbath, merchandise sales, and a café.
Please check the Kiyotsukyo website and X (formerly Twitter) for current informations before visiting.
*New green leaves: early May
*Autumn leaves: from late October to early May
*Snow scenery: from late December to early April
History of Kiyotsu Gorge
Kiyotsu Gorge, through which the Kiyotsu River flows, stretches 12.5 kilometers from Tōkamachi to Yuzawa Yagisawa and is one of Japan’s largest gorges. The area is known for its visually striking igneous rock formations and a 750-meter-long art installation that was added to Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel in 2018. The gorge was designated a Natural Monument in April 1941 and was made a part of Jōshin’etsukōgen National Park in September 1949.
The rock formations, called “columnar jointing,” were created when magma cooled into the igneous rock (porphyrite) that makes up both sides of the gorge. As the magma cooled, the outer layer cooled faster than the inner layer, causing the rock to shear along right angles. This rock was then gradually pushed to the earth’s surface by tectonic activity and eroded by the Kiyotsu River. Unusually, both horizontal and vertical columnar jointing is visible along the gorge.
A path that followed the side of the gorge was closed to all visitors in 1988 for safety reasons, and for many years there was no access to the rock formations. In 1996, a 750-meter-long pedestrian tunnel was completed, from which visitors can safely admire the gorge at three lookout points.
In 2018, as part of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale festival, MAD Architects renovated the tunnel, and reopened it as “Tunnel of Light.” The tunnel’s last lookout—the installation’s namesake—is covered with stainless steel panels, and it’s charecterizet by the presence of a spring water mirror spring water that reflects the gorge and the surrounding forest all throughout the room. Periscope, a café and souvenir shop situated near the entrance of the tunnel, was also designed by MAD Architects. The building’s second floor has a hot-spring footbath with a mirrored opening in the ceiling that reflects the surroundings below.
Information
Kiyotsu Gorge and Tunnel of Light
| Address | NiigataTokamachi-city2119-2 Koide |
|---|---|
| Access | ■By car : From the Kan-etsu expressway "Shiozawa ishiuchu" IC.Take the national route 353 and proceed for about 25min. Take the national road 353 from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi interchange on the Kan-etsu Expressway and proceed for about 25 minutes. ■By pubblic transportations : go to the nearest bus stop is “Kiyotsukyo iriguchi” (approx. 30 minutes walkto the entrance of the gorge). There are 2 possible routes to the bus stop. From JR-EAST “Echigo Yuzawa Station” take the express bus bound for “Mori-Miyanohara” and get off at “Kiyotsukyo iriguchi” bus stop From “Echigo Tazawa station” on the JR Iiyama line,please get on the bus at “Yamazaki” or “Yamazaki Zinzya mae” for about 20 minutes and get off at “Kiyotsukyo iriguchi”. 【Yuzawa⇔KiyotsuGorge Tour Bus】11th May - 13th July 2025 (Operated daily) view more |
| Parking Lot | Parking is free of charge (45 cars in car park 1, 50 cars in car park 2 and 60 cars in car park 3). *Nightly closure of car park 1 Kiyotsukyo car park 1 is closed at night from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. the following morning. If you are planning to arrive, Please take it in consderation if you arrive early in the morning. Please do not sleep in your car in the parking lot. |
| business hours | Open dates Throughout the year ［1 Mar- 30 Nov] 8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30) ［1 Dec- 28 Feb] 9:00-16:00 (last entry 15:30) *Closed during winter depending on snow conditions during winter the tunnel may be temporarily closed due to snow fall or snow accumulation. Please check the kiyotsu-kyo website and X (Formerly Twitter). For the last news about the local conditions. ■Period for advance reservations *During peak seasons (GW, consecutive holidays, Bon Festival, and autumn foliage season), advance reservation is required through the official website of the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel. However, this is not required for participants of the official Art Festival tours that include this work in the itinerary. Reservation Period for Summer - Autumn 2025 July 19 - 21 August 1 - 17 September 13 - 15 and 20 - 23 October 11 - 31 November 1 - 9 ■selling start date Monday, June 9, from 9:00 a.m. |
| Fee | Starting in 2025, a seasonal pricing system will be introduced, with entrance price changing between high season and off season. High season: April 21 - November 20 Off-season: November 21 - April 20 High season: 1,200 yen, Off-season: 1,000 yen Elementary and junior high school students: High season: ¥500, Off-season: ¥400 *High season rates will be applied from Saturday, July 19, 2025. *Prices will also change for visitors with “Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale” passport, common ticket holders, and groups. Please check the official website for details. |
| Payment Way |
|
| UD compatible |
|
| Services and Facilities |
|
| Notes | *Temporary closure may occur due to snowfall conditions, etc. *The concept of the work is also to let visitors feel the coldness of the water. The depth of the water mirror at the panoramic station is shallow at both ends, and visitors can proceed to the back of the mirror by walking along the wall. If you go into the inner part of the water mirror, your feet may get very wet depending on your shoes. We recommend that you bring a towel. *Entrance facilities (café, merchandise sales, footbath) will be closed during winter. *The time requured to visit the tunnel is aroud 40-60 minutes round trip. (About750 meteres eavh way) |
Contact
| Contact | Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel Management Office |
|---|---|
| TEL | +81-025-763-4800 |
| Send an email | |
| WEB |