Basen Kyō, Natural gorge in Ninohe, Japan
The Basen Gorge features two massive rock formations, Male God Rock reaching 180 meters and Female God Rock reaching 160 meters above the Mabechi River.
The gorge received its name from Kenkichi Kokubu, the first elected governor of Iwate Prefecture, and became a Prefectural Natural Park in 1962.
The Myojin Pool area contains a stone monument with poetry commemorating novelist Kieko Watanabe's award-winning story about the gorge's legendary snake transformation.
The gorge stands 10 minutes on foot from JR Ninohe Station, with free parking available for 10 vehicles near the observation points.
The geological formations reveal distinct layer changes in the Great Collapse Cliff, indicating the area's origin as an underwater volcano that rose above sea level.
Location: Ninohe
GPS coordinates: 40.25241,141.29079
Latest update: October 15, 2025 21:42
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7.5 km
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Shōgaku-in
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Hiranuka no Inubuna shizenrin
18.6 km
Seizankan
14.1 km
Seisui-ji
29.8 km
Tanesashi Kaigan Hashikamidake Prefectural Natural Park
29.9 km
Sannohechoritsu Library
14.6 km
八戸市図書情報センター
31 km
Oritsume Basenkyō Prefectural Natural Park
7.5 km
八戸市立南郷図書館
20.7 km
Hachimantai City Museum
26.2 km
浪打峠の交叉層
1.5 kmReviews
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