5 Waterfalls in Kanagawa worth your time

A 50-meter waterfall in Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park ranked among Japan's top 100 scenic cascades for its dramatic height.

What it is

• A natural waterfall with a vertical drop of approximately 50 meters
• Officially selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls
• Known locally as the Phantom Great Falls due to its remote location
• Located within the protected Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park

What to see

• The 50-meter high main waterfall and surrounding rock formations
• The riverbed path leading from an abandoned forestry hut
• The scenic junction at Ikazuchidaira toward the Otakizawa area
• The rugged mountain landscape of the Dendo area

Getting there

• Ascend from the Honma Bridge area via a difficult mountain trail
• The hike to the falls takes one hour and 55 minutes
• Vehicle access is restricted by a gate at the Hayatogawa International Trout Fishing Ground
• The route requires navigating a riverbed and crossing the top of a smaller waterfall

Read more about Hayato Great Falls

A three-tiered waterfall in Kanagawa recognized as one of Japan's top 100 falls, famous for its Buddhist purification history.

What it is

• A three-tiered waterfall located within the Sakawa River system in Yamakita Town.
• The name refers to water used for purification rituals in Esoteric Buddhism.
• The monk Mongaku famously performed ascetic training at this natural site.
• The highest tier of the falls features a vertical drop of sixty-nine meters.

What to see

• A new observation deck that opened to the public in April 2022.
• A walking path that follows the scenic route along the Takizawa River.
• Three distinct tiers of falling water designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.

When to go

• The Shasui Falls Festival takes place on the fourth Sunday of July.
• Festival events include traditional fire rituals and powerful Taiko drum performances.

Getting there

• The site is accessible by taking a bus from Yamakita Station.

Read more about Shasui Falls

A historic fifteen-meter waterfall and former ascetic training ground recognized as one of the ten scenic views of Aikawa.

What it is

• A natural waterfall standing approximately fifteen meters high and four meters wide.
• One of the ten designated scenic views of Aikawa Town in Kanagawa Prefecture.
• The site where Roben Sojo reportedly enshrined Seiryu Gongen during the Shinki era.
• The historic fifth training ground for practitioners of Hasuge Shugen.

What to see

• The waterfall basin accessible via a paved walkway.
• Scenic views of the cascading water and surrounding natural landscape.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Hon-Atsugi or Fuchinobe Station to the Mawatari bus stop.
• The entrance is located eight hundred meters away from the Mawatari bus stop.
• The site is accessible by car via National Route 412.
• A one-minute walk leads from the nearby parking lot to the waterfall.

Read more about Shiokawa Falls

A 23-meter waterfall on the Uchikawa River famous for its connection to the legend of Kintaro and sunset views.

What it is

• A waterfall 23 meters high and 5 meters wide on the Uchikawa River.
• Legendary site where the folk hero Kintaro is said to have taken his first bath.
• A natural formation created on a fault line of volcanic rock.
• A known location for practitioners of waterfall asceticism.

What to see

• The main waterfall drop surrounded by cedar, zelkova, and oak trees.
• The sunset appearing directly in the waterfall mouth during specific winter days.
• Natural scenery at an elevation of approximately 500 meters.

When to go

• Mid-January to see the sun set into the mouth of the waterfall.
• Early summer to witness the annual waterfall opening ceremony.

Read more about Yuhi Falls

A wide, multi-streamed waterfall in Hakone flowing over ancient conglomerate rock, accessible via a historic Taisho-era road.

What it is

• A waterfall measuring twenty meters wide and three meters high
• Water flows in multiple thin streams across a conglomerate rock face
• The access road was constructed during the Taisho era by Kyozo Enomoto
• The surrounding area was historically known as Kojigoku

What to see

• Multiple streams of water cascading over the wide rock face
• Natural conglomerate rocks formed by ancient debris flows
• The historic access road leading to the waterfall site
• A teahouse established following the construction of the road

Read more about Chisuji Falls