This guide covers how to reach Kiyotsukyo, booking a time slot, the viewpoints, the seasons and the way back.
Kiyotsukyo is worth the trip for a tunnel with lights of different colors at each viewpoint. The sections below follow the day in order, from the approach to the way back.
Getting to Kiyotsukyo from Echigo-Yuzawa
The rock walls of Kiyotsukyo are columnar joints, a structure formed when cooled magma contracted in volume. The next step is the approach, and the table below sets out the routes.
From Echigo-Yuzawa Station, an express bus bound for Morimiyanohara runs to the Kiyotsukyo-iriguchi bus stop. From Echigo-Tazawa Station on the JR Iiyama Line, a bus also runs to that stop. From the stop, the walk to the tunnel takes a while. From the parking lots, the walk to the entrance is short.
| From | Line and operator | Change | Time or fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Kiyotsukyo-iriguchi bus stop | Express bus bound for Morimiyanohara | — | about 25 minutes |
| Route bus fare to Kiyotsukyo-iriguchi bus stop, one way | Route bus | — | 500 yen |
| Echigo-Tazawa Station to Kiyotsukyo-iriguchi bus stop | Bus from the JR Iiyama Line | — | about 20 minutes |
| Kiyotsukyo-iriguchi bus stop to the tunnel | On foot | — | about 30 minutes |
| First parking lot to the tunnel entrance | On foot | — | 3 to 5 minutes |
| Second parking lot to the tunnel entrance | On foot | — | 7 to 10 minutes |
Booking a Time Slot for the Busy Autumn Days
Autumn leaves begin from around mid-October. The crowded period in autumn runs from mid-October to early November. On the busiest days, entry is by advance ticket for a timed slot, and no tickets are sold on site.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Advance-ticket days, autumn | October 24 to November 3, with no sales on site |
| Time slots | 8:30 to 10:30, 11:00 to 12:30, 13:00 to 14:30 and 15:00 to 16:30 |
| Sales cutoff, example | The 8:30 to 10:30 ticket stops selling at 10:00 |
| Seven Ticket code for the tunnel entry ticket | 116-071 |
The Viewpoints and the Panorama Station
The rock faces of Kiyotsukyo are a cluster of columnar rocks, hard but brittle, and they crumble easily. Each viewpoint of the tunnel has lights of a different color. Water at the edges of the Panorama is shallow and can be walked in, but it is very easy to get wet.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tunnel length and round trip | 750 m long, 30 to 40 minutes round trip |
| Water depth at the edges of the Panorama | 0.5 to 2 cm |
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Seasons at the Gorge
Kiyotsukyo Gorge shows fresh spring green, deep summer green, autumn foliage and winter snow scenery, changing with the seasons. Fresh green begins from around the end of April. Remaining snow stays until around June. In summer, a slightly chilly breeze sometimes blows through the tunnel even in midsummer.
Snowfall usually begins in late November. In winter the road is cleared of snow and passable, with snow walls along the road. In winter the gorge tunnel may be temporarily shut depending on snow conditions.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Summer average temperature inside the tunnel | about 20°C to 24°C |
Admission and Hours
A round trip through the tunnel takes a while, so the table below sets out what to pay and when to arrive. The season sets the rate, with separate rates for the high season and the off season.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| High-season admission for adults (high school age and over) | 1,200 yen |
| High-season admission for children (elementary and junior high school students) | 500 yen |
| Off-season admission for adults | 1,000 yen |
| Off-season admission for children | 400 yen |
| High season and off season | High season from April 21 to November 20, off season from November 21 to April 20 |
| Tunnel hours, March to November | Open 8:30 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30 |
| Tunnel hours, December to February | Open 9:00 to 16:00, with last admission at 15:30 |
Heading Back: Planning the Last Hour
The tunnel is open until the closing time, and last admission comes earlier. The parking lots are closed from the evening until the next morning. The entrance facility has its own business hours, listed in the table below.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tunnel closing time, March to November | 17:00 |
| Tunnel closing time, December to February | 16:00 |
| Entrance facility business hours | 9:00 to 16:00 |
| Parking lots, closed from evening | 18:00 to 7:00 the next morning |
If the area appeals beyond the gorge, look at tours around Tokamachi.