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All Japan Tokyo Todoroki Valley

Todoroki Valley

The only natural gorge in metropolitan Tokyo, with lots of greenery and ancient burial chambers.

Tokyo, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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The ravine seen from above.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The ravine seen from above.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A view from the temple teahouse.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A scenic trail down in the valley.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A touch of nature in metropolitan Tokyo.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Many flowers and trees cover the area.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A bridge leading to the shrine of Chigo-Daishi.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Lush greenery awaits on the edge of Tokyo.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
There are even autumn colors in late April.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Though there is a lot of greenery even in the heart of Tokyo, from public parks to riverbanks, there remains only one natural gorge: the Todoroki Valley in Setagaya City.

Carved by a river of spring water eroding layers of soft loam, the Todoroki Valley runs about half a mile through an upscale residential district, crossed over by the Kanpachi road at one point. The trail below traces the gentle curves of the stream, covered with a thick copse of trees on either side, a serene sylvan scenery somewhat atypical of metropolitan Tokyo.

Adjacent to the trail is the grounds of Todoroki Fudōson, a Buddhist temple whose original foundation dates back to the Heian period (794-1185). The complex contains a teahouse complete with red umbrellas, a shrine dedicated to Chigo-Daishi (Infant Kūkai), and a waterfall called Fudō-no-taki where training monks still undergo the ascetic ordeal of "waterfall meditation" to this day.

Though there exist multiple theories as to the etymology of the name Todoroki ("rumble or resounding roar"), the most popular one concerns this particular waterfall. It suggests that the “rumble” refers to the loud sound of the falling water, which must have echoed through the green valley back in the day.

Also worth mentioning is a cluster of seventh-century burial chambers preserved along the trail. Part of the larger Ebaradai Tumulus Cluster, the ancient tombs offer a fascinating glimpse into local archaeology.

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The trail has been off-limits since July 2023 and is expected to reopen by 2025. In the meantime, you can either see the ravine from above or visit Todoroki-Fudōson Temple, which offers a path leading down into the valley.

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Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Published

May 7, 2024

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Todoroki Valley
Setagaya City
Tokyo, 158-0082
Japan
35.603898, 139.646237

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