Besides viewing cherry blossoms and autumn leaves in Japan, waterfalls are actually equally captivating. Locals have selected some representative ones as “Japan’s Must-See Waterfalls.” This year’s edition includes many different waterfall sightseeing spots, which we will introduce to you here.
Since most of the waterfalls are located in remote areas, you’ll usually need a car to get there. Some require a one-hour hike or descending into the valley to reach the base of the waterfall, so you should factor this time into your itinerary planning. In addition to tripods, ND filters, and CPL filters, it’s also a good idea to bring a pair of water-resistant shoes, as you may need to walk through shallow streams to get close to the falls, adding flexibility to your photo angles. There's also a chance of encountering bears in the wilderness, so locals often carry small bells when hiking—bears will usually avoid the area upon hearing the sound from a distance.
Kuro Waterfall (Hokkaido)
Kuro, Shimamaki Village, Shimamaki District, Hokkaido
https://goo.gl/maps/4MLYui8o2vF2
Located in a remote area, about 63 km west of Shimokawa Town, a drive of around two hours. After arriving, you’ll need to walk for another 20 minutes, and in some places, you’ll have to wade through water to get across, so it’s best to bring water-resistant shoes.
Ryusei Waterfall (Hokkaido)
Sounkyo, Kamikawa Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
https://goo.gl/maps/DJm95A6u6Dk
You can start taking photos right after getting out of the parking lot, but to capture a great angle, you’ll need to walk up to the Twin Waterfall Platform on the mountain.
Shirahige Waterfall (Hokkaido)
Shirahige Onsen, Shirogane, Biei Town, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
https://goo.gl/maps/PMJcyJY6scr
A waterfall near the Blue Pond; because it’s near hot spring inns, steam is often visible. The scenery changes depending on the time of visit—during autumn, there are red leaves, and in winter, the waterfall freezes over.
Todoroki Waterfall (Aomori Prefecture)
Oirase Gorge, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
https://goo.gl/maps/eozUWgw9mZt
A very famous waterfall that attracts many tour groups, often crowded with visitors. Visiting during autumn and weekends can mean heavy traffic and large crowds.
Kumoi Waterfall (Aomori Prefecture)
Oirase Gorge, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
https://goo.gl/maps/VmXk1KVTb6y
One of the many waterfalls in Oirase Gorge; you don’t have to walk far and can take photos right by the roadside.
Anmon Waterfall (Akita Prefecture)
Anmon, Tajima, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
https://goo.gl/maps/Du6NapLfAtk
The few kilometers before reaching the parking lot are on a gravel mountain road—drive carefully. After getting out of the car, it takes about an hour to walk to the falls, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
Ko Waterfall (Iwate Prefecture)
Ko, Chokai, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
https://goo.gl/maps/D8hS3h7oZXP2
A small stream waterfall by the roadside.
Ikkyu Waterfall (Fukushima Prefecture)
Nishigo, Nishishirakawa District, Fukushima Prefecture
https://goo.gl/maps/9quYL1ExzD92
The rocks near the waterfall are slippery, so be careful.
Tatara Waterfall (Fukushima Prefecture)
Tatara, Ohara, Fukushima Prefecture
https://goo.gl/maps/gSuAf9eu38s
One of my favorites, the environment is beautiful, the water flow is balanced, and the dark black stones contrast beautifully with the white water.
Hasso Long Falls? (hmokuw)
hmokuw Nikko City
https://goo.gl/maps/M21625oGPmy
Located within Nikko National Park, both visits were on weekends. By eight in the morning, there were already many cars heading toward the park. To photograph Hasso Long Falls, you can either arrive early at the parking lot near the entrance or hike from further away near the Hasso Falls area.
Kumagawa no Taki? (hmokuw)
hmokuw Nikko City Shino
https://goo.gl/maps/DcR3rhuJcwF2
One of Nikko’s three major waterfalls, located outside Nikko National Park. There are far fewer visitors, but the photo opportunities are also more limited—just took a few shots and left.
Yugama no Taki? (hmokuw)
hmokuw Nikko City
https://goo.gl/maps/ia5PcMjwobP2
It was the season when autumn foliage was at its peak, and everyone crowded around the small observation deck at the tea house to take photos.
Nametoko no Taki (Ibaraki w )
Ibaraki w Kuji District, Ozo Town
https://goo.gl/maps/isUFZ4ncshN2
There are many parking lots near the waterfall, but all are paid. For free parking, you need to park farther away.
https://goo.gl/maps/5GVD4qRufpC2 This waterfall also charges an entrance fee, but there are several observation platforms at different heights for visitors to enjoy. It feels a bit more worthwhile.
Hebihara no Taki (Niigata w )
Niigata w Tsunan Town, Ohara
https://goo.gl/maps/5RWbk1jDmvp
There is a small parking lot, and it’s about a 10-minute walk. The waterfall is quite far away, and there aren’t many good angles for photography.
Myōnai no Taki (Niigata w )
Niigata w Minamiuonuma City, Myōkō-Suginomori
https://goo.gl/maps/pJAbqp13LXv
A waterfall shaped like a heart. It’s simple—you can shoot from the suspension bridge, but movement from other people causes it to sway, making long exposures difficult. Alternatively, you can go right up to the waterfall, but the path is rough and requires caution.
Fukiware no Taki (Gunma w )
Gunma w Numata City, Tone Town, Oiwa
https://goo.gl/maps/wajmHAxqydt
A small waterfall formed by the terrain, with a height of only 7 meters.
Shiraito no Taki (Nagano w )
Nagano w Kitasaku District, Minamiaiki
https://goo.gl/maps/YAeXJxfHg2F2
A very popular waterfall, with its tiered streams and the curvature of the terrain creating a powerful impression.
Kamikochi no Taki? (Nagano w )
Nagano w Kitasaku District, Minamiaiki ○,
https://goo.gl/maps/iNSn9F6MsDA2
A scenic view discovered after leaving the Shiraito no Taki in Minamiaiki.
Taki no Taki (Nagano w )
Nagano w Route 292, Minami-Shinano District, Yamanouchi Town
https://goo.gl/maps/QyRUqJLR6SG2
Discovered while driving past—it’s only visible from a distance.
Mie no n? (Yamanashi w )
Yamanashi w Mishina, Kamihaguchi, Yamanashi City
https://goo.gl/maps/KpoFwLrXguR2
Located in Nishiyama Valley, it takes about four hours to walk around.
Nanatsugama Five-Stage Falls (Yamanashi w )
Yamanashi w Mishina, Kamihaguchi, Yamanashi City
https://goo.gl/maps/EuWFKW75DrH2
Located in Nishiyama Valley, it takes about four hours to walk around.
Tozaido Falls? (Yamanashi w )
Yamanashi w Nishiidate, Oizumi Town, Hokuto City
https://goo.gl/maps/N7Cn4ZpL1ZB2
A ten-minute walk from the bus stop. The water flows from several spots, offering varied compositions.
Sen’o Falls? (Yamanashi w )
Yamanashi w Kofu
https://goo.gl/maps/L85wopuKc6o
Seen at the end of the trail while visiting Senkōji Valley.
Shiraito Falls (Shizuoka / Shizuoka w )
Shizuoka w Fujinomiya City
https://goo.gl/maps/uXLPmKGC5y92
With Mount Fuji in the background, it has a more layered appearance.
Ubaga Falls? (Ishikawa w )
Ishikawa w Hakusan City
https://goo.gl/maps/67nsNccE7xz
Located on a toll road between Hakusan City and Shirakawa-go. There’s a foot bath next to the waterfall, allowing you to enjoy both the hot spring and the view—a true delight.
Fukube Big Falls? (Ishikawa w )
Ishikawa w Hakusan City
https://goo.gl/maps/cyF9qmS1QKC2
Another waterfall located on the toll road between Hakusan City and Shirakawa-go.
Meoto Falls? (Gifu w )
Gifu w Nishidō, Takasu Town, Gujō City
https://goo.gl/maps/2FnWhcydt3k
The name gives a pretty good idea of what the waterfall looks like.
Minō Falls? (Osaka Prefecture)
Minō Park, Minō City, Osaka Prefecture
https://goo.gl/maps/3RwrdB3SFV62
A waterfall close to the city center—get off at Minō Station on the Hankyu Railway and it’s about a one-hour walk.
Shiraito Falls (Fukuoka / Fukuoka w )
Fukuoka City, Itoshima
https://goo.gl/maps/4iRcc5LV8n52
Same name, but compared to the Iizuka or Tsushima ones in Kyushu, this one looks much more impressive.
Kuma Falls (Kumamoto Prefecture)
Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso District, Oguni Town
https://goo.gl/maps/FVa2pg1Ysm12
The most unique thing about this waterfall isn’t that there’s an admission fee, but that you can actually walk behind it to the other side.
Manai Falls (Miyazaki Prefecture)
Miyazaki Prefecture, Nishiusuki District, Takachiho Town
https://goo.gl/maps/ihvdh8HjUC32
You might not recognize the name of this waterfall, but you’ve probably heard of the Takachiho Gorge.
There are actually many beautiful waterfalls in Japan — I’ll share more after I visit them.