Azuma Gorge, a national scenic beauty spot, is a beautiful valley located near the border between the towns of Naganohara and Higashi-Azuma on the Azuma River, a major tributary of the Tone River. The gorge is a precipitous cliff created by erosion over tens of thousands of years, and has been an obstacle to traffic as well as dividing the economy and culture of the region into east and west.
The Yamba Dam, built in this Agatsuma Valley, has caused problems in the past due to time and construction costs, but was finally completed in 2020. What was created by the damming was Lake Yamba Agatsuma.
In November, the surrounding foliage is beautiful and there are several hiking trails. There are several hiking trails. It is best to take a course that suits you best when viewing the autumn leaves. There are also soba noodle stores and other restaurants at the Yamba Dam, and a water bus that takes visitors on a tour of Lake Yamba-Agatsuma, making it a place that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
To get there, by train, take the JR Agatsuma Line from JR Shibukawa Station, get off at Gunma Haramachi Station, and take a 30-minute bus ride from there. From Iwashima Station, it is a 50-minute walk. In 2025, a limited time shuttle bus will be available during the fall foliage season from November 1 to 16. The number of buses is limited, so please check the Higashi-Azuma Town website before visiting.
By car, it is a 60-minute drive from the Shibukawa-Ikaho IC of the Kanetsu Expressway on the Joshin Expressway (partially opened). There is a parking lot at the Yamba Dam, so it is best to walk there. There are also several parking lots downstream, so if you are not comfortable walking, you can enjoy the area around the parking lot. It is a good place for viewing the autumn leaves.
© Source travel watch