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Shinshiro-City

Chiiwa’s Crystal Water and Cat-shaped Cave

Hike along a dramatic boulder-strewn creek towards a cat-shaped cave, and a natural arch with a breathtakingview.

Chiiwa Valley is a hidden gem much loved by those who know about it. The popular hiking route takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, starting and finishing at the trail entrance. The trail begins with a walk along a solid rock creek bed, before entering lush forest along the creek. As you walk, enjoy the sound of crystal clear water bubbling between giant boulders.

As the forest opens and the dramatic cliffs appear, see incredible virgin forest on your way to the cat-shaped cave and archway. On your way back, take a dip in the creek in the pool near the trail entrance.
Chiiwa’s unique geology and dramatic sights have attracted visitors for centuries, including Yamabushi (mountain monks) that traveled through the area and installed Buddhist statues inside the area’s caves.

The standard trail uses very steep metal steps, please take care as these may be unstable – alternatively do not use the loop but hike directly towards the archway. Parking is not available at the trail entrance, so please be careful about GPS directions. A recommended alternative is to park at Yuyaonsen, or take the Iida line to Yuyaonsen, and rent a bicycle to ride to the trail entrance.


Data

Address
〒441-1601
Kawai Chiiwa, Shinshiro-shi, Aichi-ken
Restroom
Infront of the trail entrance
Phone Number
0536-21-0015 (Tourism Association of Shinshiro)
Parking
No parkings available

Access

Get directions on Google Maps

By Public Transport

From Toyohashi Station (about 80 minutes from Tokyo Station, about 2 hours from Shin-Osaka Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen), take the Iida (spelled i-i-d-a) line to Mikawa-Kawai Station. From there the hiking trail entrance is roughly 30 minutes away on foot.

By Car

If coming by car, park at Yuyaonsen, then take the train from Yuyaonsen to Mikawa-Kawai Station, and walk from there. Alternatively, you can borrow a bicycle from the ryokan inn at Yuyaonsen and bike to the trailhead.