8 Waterfalls in Shizuoka worth your time

A stunning 80-meter waterfall ranked among Japan's top 100, accessible via a scenic forest hike near a hot spring resort.

What it is

• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls located in the Aoi Ward of Shizuoka City.
• A natural landmark also known by the names Suruga Otaki or Otome Falls.
• A waterfall featuring a drop of approximately 80 meters and a width of 4 meters.
• A scenic destination situated near the Umegashima Onsen hot spring area.

What to see

• The 80-meter high vertical drop of the main waterfall.
• A 1.2 kilometer hiking trail through the local forest landscape.
• A suspension bridge crossing that spans the river along the walking path.

Getting there

• Buses run from Shizuoka Station directly to the Abe no Otaki bus stop.
• The hiking trail starts near the Abe no Otaki bus stop and takes 45 minutes.
• Free parking is available for visitors in the nearby hot spring town.

Read more about Abe Great Falls

A wide UNESCO World Heritage waterfall where groundwater flows through lava layers near the base of Mount Fuji.

What it is

• A natural monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site component in Fujinomiya City.
• One of the Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan measuring 200 meters wide.
• A site where groundwater emerges from gaps between layers of Fuji lava.
• A historic location reportedly visited by Minamoto no Yoritomo during a hunt.

What to see

• The main waterfall standing 20 meters high and spanning a wide arc.
• Otodome Falls located approximately a five-minute walk from the main site.
• A memorial stone for Jikyo Miroku standing near the waterfall basin.
• Obinsui spring water located just above the waterfall area.
• The Takimi Bridge which opened for pedestrians in December 2013.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Fujinomiya Station.

Read more about Shiraito Falls

A twenty-five meter waterfall flowing over volcanic basalt columns, famous for its rare ferns and nearby wasabi fields.

What it is

• A twenty-five meter waterfall selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
• The name originates from Jorenji, a temple that once stood nearby.
• The falls flow over basalt lava rock created by the Hachikuboyama eruption.
• The site features a colony of rare Woodwardia unigemmata ferns.

What to see

• Distinctive columnar joints visible in the basalt rock face.
• A waterfall basin reaching a depth of fifteen meters.
• Wasabi fields cultivated along the stream below the falls.
• A monument dedicated to the popular song Amagi Goe.
• On-site souvenir shops and local facilities for visitors.

Getting there

• The falls are a five-minute walk from the Joren-no-taki bus stop.

Read more about Jōren Falls

A scenic waterfall on the Gotomeki River where water emerges from lava layers at a historic samurai campsite.

What it is

• A waterfall on the Gotomeki River where water flows through gaps in lava layers.
• The site where Minamoto no Yoritomo established a camp during the Fuji no Makigari.
• A natural landmark named after the historical military encampment located here.

What to see

• Water cascading from upstream and emerging directly from the volcanic rock walls.
• A unique hollow stone called Taiko-ishi discovered within the waterfall basin.

When to go

• The Jinba Falls Festival is held annually during the month of August.

Getting there

• The site is accessible by driving along National Route 139.
• Free parking is available on-site with space for twenty vehicles.

Read more about Jinba Falls

A wide waterfall flowing over ancient Mount Fuji lava, featured in Kurosawa's Seven Samurai and designated as a UNESCO geosite.

What it is

• A natural monument waterfall on the Kise River in Shizuoka Prefecture.
• A designated geosite within the Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark.
• A site formed by Mishima lava from a historic Mount Fuji eruption.
• A filming location used by director Akira Kurosawa for the movie Seven Samurai.

What to see

• A waterfall measuring ten meters high and ninety meters wide.
• Basalt rock formations containing visible crystals of plagioclase.
• Lava tree molds located at the base of the rock face.
• A suspension bridge connecting Nagaizumi Town and Numazu City.
• Views of the falls also known locally as Fujimi Falls.

Getting there

• A five-minute walk from Shimotogari Station.

Read more about Ayutsubo Falls

A twenty-meter waterfall on the Jizodo River featuring ancient basaltic columnar joints formed from prehistoric lava flows.

What it is

• A waterfall measuring twenty meters high and six meters wide on the Jizodo River.
• The site was formed from lava flow approximately 24,000 years ago.
• The rock face consists of distinct basaltic columnar joints.
• The location was formerly known by the name Otaki.

What to see

• Basaltic columnar joints visible in the rock face behind the water.
• A campground located in the area surrounding the falls.
• Visible mortar reinforcement work conducted between 2010 and 2011.

When to go

• The Banjo Falls Festival is held every year in mid-August.

Getting there

• Seasonal buses run from Shuzenji Station directly to the waterfall.

Read more about Banjō Falls

A nationally designated 25-meter waterfall on the Shiba River, ranked among Japan's top 100 for its scenic beauty and samurai legends.

What it is

• A nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument on the Shiba River.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls with a drop of approximately 25 meters.
• A site associated with the Fuji no Makigari hunting event and the Soga brothers legend.
• A historic location featuring a spring used by the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo.

What to see

• The 25-meter high waterfall located in close proximity to the famous Shiraito Falls.
• A hiding rock used by the Soga brothers situated on the east side of the falls.
• The nearby tomb of Kudo Suketsune located within the historic site area.
• The natural spring once used by the first Kamakura shogun.

Read more about Otodome Falls

A twelve-meter waterfall with five distinct streams flowing over ancient Mount Fuji lava within a scenic city park.

What it is

• A twelve-meter high waterfall located within Susono City Central Park.
• A designated natural monument formed by basalt lava from a Mount Fuji eruption.
• The site where the Kise and Sano rivers meet in Shizuoka Prefecture.
• A natural landmark featured in the novel Soh-hyo by Jiro Nitta.

What to see

• Five separate water streams including those named Yukidoke and Fujimi.
• The main stream flowing over a distinct basalt lava cliff face.
• The Goryu no Kakehashi suspension bridge spanning the waterfall area.
• The historic Former Uematsu Family Residence located on the park grounds.

Read more about Goryū Falls