9 Waterfalls in Ōita worth your time

A massive waterfall formed by ancient volcanic flows, featuring a suspension bridge and walking trails through the Oita countryside.

What it is

• A natural waterfall measuring 120 meters wide and 20 meters high.
• One of the Top 100 Waterfalls of Japan located in Bungo-ono City.
• A geological site formed by Mount Aso pyroclastic flows 90,000 years ago.
• A cliff face composed of Aso-4 welded tuff with distinct columnar joints.

What to see

• The Takimibashi wooden suspension bridge spanning the downstream area.
• A submersible bridge located immediately upstream of the waterfall.
• The five-arch stone Harajiri Bridge built in 1923.
• A walking trail that allows visitors to circle the entire area.
• Roadside Station Harajiri Falls which provides parking for visitors.

When to go

• The Ogata Tulip Festival held every April.

Getting there

• A ten-minute bus ride from Ogata Station reaches the falls.

Read more about Harajiri Falls

A two-tiered waterfall on the Matsuki River famous for a natural rock slide and its historic Zen temple connection.

What it is

• A two-tiered waterfall measuring forty meters wide and twenty meters high on the Matsuki River.
• Named by Zen master Rankei Doryu after the Longmen falls in China during the Kamakura period.
• The site of Ryumonji Temple, which was established by the same Zen master.
• A recreation area featuring several campgrounds and the nearby Ryumon Hot Spring.

What to see

• The first tier of the falls which features a deep plunge pool.
• A second tier consisting of a smooth rock slide used for recreation.
• The middle basin located between the two main tiers of the waterfall.
• Matsuki Dam which is located further upstream from the falls.

When to go

• Summer is the peak time for visitors to participate in waterfall sliding.
• An annual waterfall opening ceremony is held at the site.

Official site

bf04.bfit.jp

Read more about Ryūmon Falls

A scenic dual waterfall on Mount Funabara featuring a sixty-meter drop and a peaceful fifteen-minute forest walk.

What it is

• A natural landmark consisting of a male and a female waterfall.
• The site is located on the side of Mount Funabara in Beppu.
• Water from these falls flows directly into the Asami River.
• The male waterfall features a significant drop of sixty meters.

What to see

• The primary male waterfall with its sixty-meter vertical drop.
• The smaller female waterfall which drops thirty meters.
• Views of the falls visible from the Oita Expressway.
• The Takimi Bridge crossing over the Otobaru River.

Getting there

• Park near the Takimi Bridge over the Otobaru River.
• Walk fifteen minutes from the parking area to reach the falls.
• The site is located near the Beppu Rakutenchi amusement park.

Read more about Otobaru Falls

A 65-meter waterfall in Oita featuring dual streams and a viewing platform within a local temple's grounds.

What it is

• One of the Three Waterfalls of Usa located in Ajimu Town.
• Part of the Yabakei National Scenic Spot featuring two streams called Otaki and Metaki.
• A Urami waterfall where the upper rock layer consists of Shin-Yaba lava.
• Also known by the names Ryusen Falls, Ryusenji Falls, or the Child Waterfall.

What to see

• A vertical waterfall drop of approximately 65 meters into a basin.
• A viewing platform located within the Ryusenji Temple grounds.
• Lower rock layers consisting of agglomerate beneath the lava flow.
• Rainbows that appear in the waterfall basin during the morning hours.

When to go

• Visit during the morning to see rainbows in the waterfall basin.

Read more about Fukino Falls

A pair of massive waterfalls ranked among Japan's top 100, featuring dramatic drops and historical ties to local dragon legends.

What it is

• A pair of waterfalls known as Odaki and Medaki located in Kokonoe Town.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls mentioned in historical texts dating back to 1486.
• A site where local people historically offered rice cakes to a dragon god.
• A natural landmark featuring hot springs that emerge near the waterfall basin.

What to see

• The Odaki waterfall which features a drop of 83 meters.
• The Medaki waterfall which features a drop of 93 meters.
• A large basin at the foot of Odaki covering 1,600 square meters.
• A walking trail that leads visitors directly to the waterfall site.
• Panoramic views of the falls from the Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge.

Read more about Shindō Falls

A historic waterfall and stone power plant ruins in Oita, famously painted by Sesshu and nicknamed the Niagara of Bungo.

What it is

• A national monument consisting of the Odaki and Medaki waterfalls in Bungo-ono City.
• Formed naturally through the erosion of debris from ancient Aso volcano eruptions.
• Historically served as an execution ground and later as a site for hydroelectric power.
• Famous for being the subject of a painting by the artist Sesshu during the Muromachi period.

What to see

• The Odaki falls measuring twenty meters high and one hundred meters wide.
• The Medaki falls which stand eighteen meters high and four meters wide.
• Stone ruins of a hydroelectric power plant built at the site in 1909.
• An upstream dam that ensures a constant flow of water over the falls.

Read more about Chinda Falls

A 40-meter waterfall named by a Confucian scholar, featuring seasonal ice formations and historical irrigation roots behind Bungo-Taketa Station.

What it is

• A registered monument of Japan with a drop of approximately 40 meters.
• Also known as Shimogi Falls and named by Confucian scholar Hirose Tanso.
• Fed by the Jōbaru irrigation canal established by Lord Nakagawa Hisakiyo.

What to see

• A waterfall that drops 40 meters down a cliff face.
• A stone monument inscribed with a Chinese poem located near the station.

When to go

• Cold winter days to see ice formations on the falls.
• Be aware the waterfall may have no water depending on the season.

Getting there

• The site is located directly behind Bungo-Taketa Station.

Read more about Rakumon Falls

A massive 83-meter waterfall on the border of Kusu and Usa, recognized as one of Japan's top 100 scenic falls.

What it is

• A waterfall with an 83-meter drop located in the Yabakei scenic area
• Designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls and the Three Waterfalls of Usa
• A natural landmark situated on the border of Kusu Town and Usa City
• Part of the 66 Views of Yabakei near the Hijyu Dam

What to see

• The 83-meter vertical drop of water into the valley below
• An observation platform reached by a 400-meter steep walking path
• Scenic views of the surrounding Yabakei landscape and rock formations
• The head of the waterfall located near the Hijyu Dam construction

Read more about Nishishiiya Falls

A 85-meter vertical waterfall in Oita ranked among Japan's top 100 and known as the Kegon of Kyushu.

What it is

• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls with an 85-meter vertical drop.
• A historic site for Kannon worship located in the town of Ajimu.
• One of the Three Waterfalls of Usa situated in Oita Prefecture.
• Commonly nicknamed the Kegon of Kyushu due to its impressive scale.

What to see

• A large basin at the base of the vertical drop.
• A scenic valley extending from the bottom of the waterfall.

Read more about Higashishiiya Falls