6 Waterfalls in Akita worth your time

A magnificent two-tiered waterfall ranked second among Japan's top 100, offering stunning views and vibrant autumn foliage.

What it is

• A two-tiered waterfall with a total drop of approximately 90 meters.
• The falls consist of a 60-meter upper tier and a 30-meter lower tier.
• It ranks second on the official list of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
• The site sits at an elevation of about 800 meters in Kitaakita City.

What to see

• Rainbows that may appear at the falls on sunny afternoons.
• Vibrant autumn colors that peak from mid to late October.
• A natural habitat for local Asian black bears.

When to go

• Mid to late October for the peak of the autumn season.
• Sunny afternoons to increase the chances of seeing rainbows.
• The site is closed from mid-November to late May.

Getting there

• A shared taxi runs from Ani-Matagi Station to the trailhead.
• The trail from the parking lot takes about 45 minutes to walk.
• Access involves a 20-minute drive on the Yasutaki Forest Road.

Read more about Yasu Falls

A tiered 60-meter waterfall ranked among Japan's top 100, featuring a nearby shrine and a roadside station for easy access.

What it is

• A natural waterfall consisting of seven distinct tiers with a total drop of sixty meters.
• One of the officially selected Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan.
• A scenic spot situated on the border of Kosaka Town and Kazuno.
• A recreational area featuring a park with a traditional waterwheel.

What to see

• The seven-tiered cascade visible from Akita Prefectural Road Route 2.
• Nanataki Shrine which stands in close proximity to the water.
• A park area surrounding the falls equipped with a waterwheel.
• Michi-no-Eki Kosaka Nanataki, a nearby roadside station with visitor facilities.

Getting there

• Drive twenty-five minutes from Towada-Minami Station to reach the site.
• The falls are a fifteen-minute drive from the Kosaka Interchange.
• Parking is available for visitors at the nearby roadside station.

Read more about Nanataki Falls

A scenic waterfall system in Akita featuring a natural cedar monument and a series of potholes within a virgin forest.

What it is

• A waterfall system located on the Todo River in Kitaakita City.
• The main waterfall is known as Medaki with another fall named Otoko Falls located upstream.
• The surrounding area contains a virgin forest of beech and cedar trees.
• The entire river area is a protected zone where fishing is strictly prohibited.

What to see

• The Todo Cedar which is a designated natural monument of Akita Prefecture.
• Upper sections featuring a series of potholes and sliding falls.
• Hachidan Falls which joins the valley from the right rock face.
• Steps carved into the right side of the main waterfall.
• Special equipment is required if you intend to travel above the waterfall.

Getting there

• The site is reachable by a 65-minute walk from Norogawa Park.

Read more about Todo Falls

A historic waterfall in Akita featuring a sake-bottle-shaped basin and a unique cave where visitors can stand behind the water.

What it is

• A waterfall in Fujisato Town with a basin shaped like a traditional sake bottle.
• A site of historical village development dating back to approximately 1680.
• A location once known for an upstream manganese mine and chalcedony fossils.
• A spot visited and documented by the Edo period traveler Sugae Masumi.

What to see

• The waterfall flow which visitors can view from a position directly behind the water.
• A large cave near the basin capable of holding forty people.
• Yunosawa Shrine which enshrines Fudo Myoo near the falls.
• A stone monument inscribed with a poem by traveler Sugae Masumi.
• Nests built by swifts inside the caves surrounding the waterfall area.

Read more about Chōshi Falls

A 100-meter waterfall in Akita ranked among Japan's top 100, offering a challenging trek for experienced wilderness hikers.

What it is

• A waterfall standing approximately 100 meters high in the Yoakeshima Valley.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls located on a tributary of the Yoneshiro River.
• Considered one of the three most difficult waterfalls to reach in the country.

What to see

• The 100-meter drop of the falls into the Yoakeshima River.
• The natural scenery of the remote Yoakeshima Valley.

Getting there

• The waterfall is 5.5 kilometers from the valley entrance parking space.
• Reaching the site requires a two-hour stream climbing trek from the entrance.

Read more about Chagama Falls

A scenic waterfall on the Akazawa River designated as a prefectural natural monument and one of Japan's top 100 falls.

What it is

• A waterfall on the Akazawa River within the upper Koyoshi River system.
• Designated as a prefectural natural monument and a scenic spot in 1960.
• Included on the official list of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
• Named after a legend involving the famous priest Kukai.

What to see

• The main waterfall and surrounding geological potholes.
• The filming location used for the movie Tsurikichi Sanpei.
• Natural scenery that appeared on a regional map from 1697.

Getting there

• The site is located 25 kilometers from Yashima Station.

Read more about Hottai Falls