10 Waterfalls in Gifu worth your time

A 72-meter waterfall in Hakusan National Park known for its milky white water and status as a National Scenic Beauty.

What it is

• A 72-meter high and 8-meter wide waterfall within Hakusan National Park.
• Designated as a National Scenic Beauty of Japan.
• Named for the milky white appearance of the water flowing from the Oshirakawa River.
• Upstream water is diverted to the Oshirakawa Dam for power generation.

What to see

• The waterfall cascading down a cliff face into the valley below.
• Views of the surrounding forest within the protected national park area.
• An observatory reached by a five-minute walk along a promenade.

When to go

• Visit between summer and autumn when the waterfall is visible.
• Water flow is artificially cut off during the winter season.

Getting there

• Drive thirty minutes from Route 156 to reach the local parking lot.
• Access the site via Gifu Prefectural Road 451.
• Walk five minutes from the parking area along a promenade to the observatory.

Read more about Shiramizu Falls

A series of seven waterfalls on the Sakasagawa River featuring hiking trails, a nature center, and seasonal festivals.

What it is

• A collection of seven distinct waterfalls located on the Sakasagawa River.
• The site includes a nature center and a dam situated upstream.
• A hiking trail connects the waterfalls to the summit of Mount Suisho.

What to see

• The sixteen-meter high Ichi-no-taki, which is the tallest of the seven falls.
• A ceramic monument named Dragon 21 located at the entrance to the site.
• Wild star magnolias growing in the wetlands surrounding the area.
• The Mizunami City Nature Center positioned along the walking paths.
• Ryugin Dam and Lake Ryugin found at the top of the trail.

When to go

• Late June for the official waterfall opening ceremony.
• Mid-August to attend the annual festival held at the falls.

Getting there

• A fifteen-minute walk from Kamado Station leads to the site.

Read more about Ryugin Falls

A 64-meter waterfall in Takayama ranked among Japan's top 100, famous for freezing into a massive ice pillar in winter.

What it is

• A 64-meter high waterfall located on the Otaki River in Gifu Prefecture
• One of the officially designated Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan
• A site linked by legend to the discovery of hot springs by Takeda Shingen's troops

What to see

• A powerful water drop measuring 6 meters in width
• Massive ice formations created when the entire waterfall freezes in winter
• Illuminated ice pillars during the annual winter light-up event

When to go

• February for the special winter light-up festival
• Winter months to see the waterfall completely frozen into ice

Getting there

• A 25-minute walk from the Hirayu Bus Terminal to the site
• Accessible via the Hirayu Interchange on the Chubu Jukan Expressway
• A free shuttle bus operates between the park area and the falls

Read more about Hirayu Falls

A 60-meter waterfall in Gifu Prefecture featured in Hokusai's art and recognized as one of Japan's top 100 falls.

What it is

• A 60-meter high waterfall located on the upper Maedani River in Gujo City.
• Discovered in 722 by the monk Taicho and used for Shugendo waterfall asceticism.
• A designated scenic spot of Gifu Prefecture included in Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
• The site is marked by a stone monument as the birthplace of flowing somen noodles.

What to see

• The main waterfall drop measuring approximately 60 meters high and 7 meters wide.
• The landscape famously depicted in a woodblock print by the artist Katsushika Hokusai.
• A stone monument commemorating the origin of flowing somen at this location.

When to go

• The Misogi Festival takes place at the falls every July.

Getting there

• The waterfall is accessible via a 20-minute walk from the nearest bus stop.

Read more about Amidaga Falls

A designated prefectural natural park in Takayama featuring thirteen waterfalls, a wildflower garden, and a hot spring facility.

What it is

• A designated prefectural natural park located within the Utsue River system.
• One of Japan's top one hundred natural sites and Gifu's fifty best waters.
• The site name originates from the local legend of a man named Yosohachi.
• A nature destination featuring thirteen main waterfalls, a campground, and a hot spring.

What to see

• Thirteen distinct waterfalls scattered throughout the protected park area.
• Ohtaki waterfall which stands as the tallest drop at eighteen point eight meters.
• A mountain wildflower garden located within the park grounds.
• Natural scenery that has been designated as a top site in Gifu Prefecture.

Getting there

• A twenty minute drive from the Takayama Interchange.
• The nearest bus stop requires a one hour walk to reach the site.

Read more about Utsue 48 Waterfalls

A sixty-three meter waterfall in Gero City ranked among Japan's top one hundred scenic falls for its impressive scale.

What it is

• A sixty-three meter high waterfall located on the Nigorigo River in Gero City.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls originating from the Ontake mountain range.
• A natural landmark famously captured in paintings by the artist Nukina Kaioku.
• The most prominent of over two hundred waterfalls found in the Osaka area.

What to see

• A powerful water drop measuring approximately five meters in width.
• The surrounding river landscape that inspired traditional Japanese artwork.
• A scenic walking trail leading through the forest to the base of the falls.

Getting there

• Drive via National Route 41 and local prefectural roads to the designated parking lot.
• Follow the walking trail from the parking lot for approximately sixty minutes to reach the falls.

Read more about Neo Falls

The only natural waterfall in Gifu City, featuring two tiers and a nature park perfect for a quiet forest walk.

What it is

• The only natural waterfall located within Gifu City.
• A two-tiered cascade consisting of the Otaki and Kotaki falls.
• Recognized as one of the top fifty waters in Gifu Prefecture.
• Named after the wild bush clover that once grew in the surrounding valley.

What to see

• A walking path that provides close views of the falling water.
• Matsuo Pond located just downstream from the waterfall area.
• Mandarin ducks that frequent the nearby reservoir during certain seasons.
• The surrounding Hagi no Taki Nature Park and Dodogamine Iwafune Valley.
• Approximately twenty vineyards located in the nearby Nagara Shidami district.

Getting there

• A thirty-minute walk from the Nakagawara bus stop leads to the site.

Read more about Hagi Falls

A historic 32-meter waterfall in Gifu Prefecture featured in local legends and listed among Japan's top 100 falls.

What it is

• A waterfall measuring 32 meters high and 4 meters wide within Yoro Park.
• Part of the Kiso River system and the Ibi-Sekigahara-Yoro Quasi-National Park.
• The site of the Yoro Koshi legend and a former imperial visit by Empress Gensho.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls located in Yoro Town.

What to see

• The 32-meter high cascade falling from the rock face.
• The surrounding forest and scenery of the Quasi-National Park.
• The trailhead for Mount Yoro located just above the waterfall area.

Getting there

• Travel to Yoro Station on the Yoro Railway.
• The waterfall is approximately 4 kilometers from Yoro Station.
• A parking lot is available about 800 meters from the falls.

Official site

www.yoro-park.com

Read more about Yōrō Falls

An eight-meter waterfall in Gifu's Yumori Valley known for its dragon legend and scenic mountain hiking trails.

What it is

• An eight-meter waterfall located within the Yumori Valley in Nakatsugawa City.
• A designated site within the Urakiso Prefectural Natural Park.
• One of the top fifty water sources in Gifu Prefecture.
• A site associated with a local legend about a white dragon.

What to see

• The main waterfall drop on the Kawakami River system.
• Upstream waterfalls including Akagane-no-taki, Aze-taki, and Hitotsu-taki.
• A mountain trail leading from Yumori Park toward Mount Okusankai.

Getting there

• A fifteen-minute walk from the Yumori Koenguchi bus stop.
• Access via Sakashita Station on the JR Chuo Main Line.
• Parking is available at Yumori Park via Gifu Prefectural Road 411.

Read more about Ryujin Falls

A collection of over ten scenic waterfalls in the Central Alps Quasi-National Park, including one of Japan's top 100 falls.

What it is

• A series of over ten waterfalls located in Nagiso within Nagano Prefecture.
• A designated site within the Central Alps Quasi-National Park.
• The area is officially selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.

What to see

• Tenga Falls, the main attraction with a drop of 40 meters.
• The Uruu, Rasen, and Senshin waterfalls located along the trail.
• Diverse natural scenery throughout the Central Alps Quasi-National Park.

Getting there

• Tsubuguri Parking Lot is accessible via National Route 19.
• The hike from the parking lot to the falls takes 80 minutes.
• Tadachi Station is a 105-minute walk from the site.

Read more about Tadachi Falls