6 Waterfalls in Tochigi worth your time

A famous three-tiered waterfall in Okunikko known for its unique rock formations and vibrant seasonal foliage displays.

What it is

• One of the three most famous waterfalls located in the Okunikko region.
• A 210-meter long waterfall formed by the Yukawa River flowing over volcanic rock.
• The water cascades down a dacite pumice face created by Mount Nantai.
• The falls sit at an elevation of 1350 meters before entering Lake Chuzenji.

What to see

• A 10-meter wide stream of water divided by a large rock at the base.
• A dedicated viewing platform located at the bottom of the falls.
• Surrounding landscapes featuring native azaleas and diverse mountain trees.
• The final stretch of the Yukawa River as it approaches the lake.

When to go

• Visit during the spring to see the blooming azaleas around the water.
• Autumn is a popular time for viewing the colorful changing leaves.

Getting there

• Accessible by taking a local bus from Tobu Nikko Station.

Read more about Ryūzu Falls

One of Nikko's three famous waterfalls, this 19-meter cascade is known for its connection to poet Matsuo Basho.

What it is

• A 19-meter high waterfall located on the Arasawa River in the national forest.
• One of the three famous waterfalls found in the Nikko area.
• A site famously visited by the haiku poet Matsuo Basho in 1689.
• The upper cliff is composed of distinct platy pyroxene andesite rock.

What to see

• A statue of the deity Fudo Myoo positioned behind the falling water.
• A stone monument inscribed with a Basho haiku near the Arasawa Bridge.
• The 1902 rock collapse that permanently blocked the original path behind the falls.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Nikko Station to the designated stop.
• Walk approximately 40 minutes from the bus stop to reach the falls.
• The site is accessed via Tochigi Prefectural Road 195.

Read more about Urami Falls

One of Nikko's three famous waterfalls, this 75-meter cascade is ranked among the top 100 most beautiful falls in Japan.

What it is

• A 75-meter waterfall on the Kirifuri River in Nikko City.
• One of the three famous waterfalls located within the Nikko area.
• A site officially listed among Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
• A natural habitat for the Galloisiana nipponensis insect species.

What to see

• A two-stage waterfall divided into distinct upper and lower sections.
• The 25-meter upper fall and the 26-meter lower fall.
• Mist created by water splashing against the rocks at the base.
• An observation deck located a five-minute walk from the parking lot.

Getting there

• Buses run from Nikko Station directly to the Kirifuri Falls stop.
• The site is located four kilometers from the Nikko Interchange.

Read more about Kirifuri Falls

One of Japan's three great waterfalls, this 97-meter cascade flows from Lake Chuzenji and offers dramatic views from an elevator-accessible basin.

What it is

• A 97-meter waterfall designated as one of Japan's Three Great Waterfalls.
• A National Scenic Spot named after the Buddhist Kegon Sutra.
• Reportedly discovered by the monk Shodo Shonin and formed by Mount Nantai's volcanic debris.
• The water flow is regulated by a dam at Lake Chuzenji.

What to see

• The main 97-meter drop where the Daijiri River falls toward the basin.
• A lower observation deck reached by a dedicated elevator to view the falls from below.
• Fragile volcanic rock formations that make up the surrounding geology.
• The basin area where the water pools after the descent.

Getting there

• Located a five-minute walk from the Chuzenji Onsen bus station.

Official site

www.kegon.jp

Read more about Kegon Falls

A wide waterfall in Tochigi where trains pass overhead and salmon migrate, featuring a museum and a local cafe.

What it is

• A waterfall measuring 65 meters wide and 20 meters high on the Egawa River.
• The site features the Ryumon Furusato Folk Museum located at the entrance.
• A local cafe serving bagels and curry opened inside the museum in 2021.

What to see

• JR Karasuyama Line trains passing directly over the top of the falls.
• Two distinct potholes named Megama and Otogama located at the mid-level of the falls.
• Stairs leading from the museum down to the waterfall viewing area.

When to go

• Mid to late November to observe the annual salmon migration.

Getting there

• A five-minute walk from JR Taki Station to the waterfall site.

Read more about Ryumon Falls

A powerful seventy-meter waterfall flowing over lava rock from Lake Yunoko into the Senjogahara marshland in the Okunikko region.

What it is

• One of the three famous waterfalls located in the Okunikko area of Nikko City
• A waterfall measuring seventy meters high and twenty-five meters wide
• The primary outlet for water flowing from the southern end of Lake Yunoko
• A natural feature formed by lava flows from Mount Mitsudake

What to see

• An observation deck located at the base for close-up views of the water
• A hiking trail that provides perspectives from both the top and bottom
• Surrounding landscapes featuring wild azaleas and rhododendrons
• The foot of Mount Nikko-Shirane where the falls are situated
• The start of the water flow into the Senjogahara marshland

Official site

www.yutaki.com

Read more about Yudaki Falls