The Kami-Taishaku area is the most scenic upstream of the 18 km long Taishaku Gorge, where the beauty of the gorge carved by the clear waters of the Eno River, one of the largest rivers in the Chugoku region, spreads out.

The biggest attraction is Onbashi Bridge, one of the largest natural bridges in Japan, formed by the erosion of the gorge water. It is said to be one of the three largest natural bridges in the world, and is rare even in the world. There are actually traces of it having been used as a bridge in the past. Its impressive appearance is truly overwhelming, and you can feel the greatness of nature.
The promenade leading to Onbashi Bridge allows you to stroll while enjoying the clear waters of the Taishaku River and the beautiful beauty of the gorge, and it is especially crowded with tourists during the seasons of new greenery and autumn leaves.

The Kami-Taishaku area is also home to Hakuundo, one of the most representative limestone caves in Taishaku Gorge. Inside the cave, which is about 200 meters deep, stalactites and stalagmites formed over many years create a mysterious sight. There are also stalactites associated with matchmaking, and it is also popular as a power spot. The inside is 11 degrees, which acts as a natural air conditioner, so it is cold even in summer. This is an attractive area that meets a wide range of needs, from those who want to relax in nature to those who want to enjoy active walks.

The Shinryu Lake area, famous for its autumn leaves, requires a 3-kilometer walk on a steep slope, so it is better to go there by car.

The autumn leaves season is around late October to early November.

Bicycle rentals are also available, but they are dead-ends (stairs) along the way. Therefore, it is a good walking course that takes 1 to 3 hours, so it is better to walk and enjoy the nature at a leisurely pace.

However, there are no toilets along the way (though there are old ones), so it is better to use the parking lot before heading out.

There are also leisure facilities around the parking lot, such as a restaurant where you can eat fish dishes and a fishing pond for rainbow trout.

If you are heading towards Miyoshi or Shobara, the quickest route is to take National Route 432 to Prefectural Route 23.

You can also get there from Fukuyama by taking National Route 182 and Prefectural Route 451, but it's best to avoid this route as it's quite narrow.

[Trivia]
Oto Bridge is considered one of the three largest natural bridges in the world, along with Prebištór in the Czech Republic and the Natural Bridge in the United States. Its scale and beauty are world class.