Japan’s natural sights and attractions are one of its best tourist magnets. In addition to its amazing mountains, scenic lakes and beaches and beautiful national parks, it has many waterfalls that offer a unique kind of experience that any nature lover will treasure forever. Here are some of the best waterfalls that you have to visit in Japan:

Oko Falls

Oko-no-taki Waterfall in Yakushima Island, Japan. This is the highest waterfall around 88m:290ft in Yakushima Island

Oko no Taki, or Oko Falls, is located on the island of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture and is an 88-meter-high wonder that is considered one of the best, not only in the Kyushu region but in the whole of Japan. Its powerful waters flow in the middle of a dense virgin forest and drop along the rocky slopes of Mount Nagata into a sparkling green basin that serves as home to a variety of freshwater life. Hiking to the falls takes about an hour a half through the lush greenery with different kinds of birds, dragonflies and other wildlife.

Access:

To get to Yakushima Island, you can either:

  • fly into Yakushima Airport;
  • take the high speed boat from Kagoshima Port to Yakushima’s Anbo or Miyanoura Port;
  • or take the car ferry from Kagoshima New Port to Yakusima’s Miyanoura Port.

Nabegataki Falls

nabegataki water fall in oguni town

Tourists visit Mount Aso and its surroundings to enjoy fantastic views of the volcano and the therapeutic waters of their top notch onsen. But, there is one more reason to include this part of Japan to your itinerary — Nabegataki Falls. Found in the outskirts of Oguni Town, Nebagataki Falls is a 10-meter-high waterfall that is slowly rising to fame among visitors to the area. While not as high as the other popular Japanese waterfalls, it is wider than many of them and measures at about 20 meters across. It provides great opportunities to enjoy and photograph lush and vibrant natural scenery.

Access:

  • Nabegataki Falls is only accessible by taxi or car from Kumamoto.

Fukoroda Falls

Standing at 120 meters, with a width of 73 meters, Fukuroda Falls is Ibaraki Prefecture’s most popular waterfall. It is considered as one of Japan’s top three most beautiful waterfalls and consistently sees crowds of tourists regardless of the season. It is surrounded with dense wooded areas that are a sight to behold in Autumn when the leaves change colors, in Spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, in Summer when the trees are all green and in Winter when the waterfalls become frozen.

Access:

  • From Fukuroda Station, you can take a 10-minute taxi ride to the waterfalls.
  • You can also drive there yourself via the Naka Interchange of the Joban Expressway which takes about 50 minutes.

Nachi Falls

Pagoda of Seiganto-ji Temple at Nachi Katsuura with Nachi no Taki fall in WAkayama

At 133 meters, Nachi Falls is the tallest waterfall in Japan and one of the most popular. Found in the town of Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, it is known for the two rocks sitting atop it that serve as the fall’s, and the nearby Shinto Naichi Taisha Shrine’s, guardian.

Access:

  • There are several buses that leave either from Nachi Station and Kii-Katsuura Station and stop at the Taki-mae bus stop which is found right at the entrance of the Nachi Waterfall area.

Kegon Falls

Kegon Falls, one of highest waterfalls in Japan. Located in Nikko National Park

Found inside Nikko National Park in Tochigi Prefecture, Kegon Falls is a beautiful waterfall that stands at a height of 97 meters. It is one of the most renowned waterfalls in the country as it offers breathtaking natural scenery and an eventful history that includes being the site of numerous suicides committed by Japanese youth. It has waters that originate from the scenic Lake Chuzenji, which sits on the mountains overlooking Nikko, and it is surrounded by countless trees that make it a favorite Autumn foliage viewing spot from mid to late October.

Access:

  • From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station, there is a bus that goes to Chuzenjiko Onsen that stops at the Chuzenjiko Onsen bus terminal. The entrance to Kegon Waterfall is a few minutes’ walk from there.

Otonashi Waterfall

Translated to “Soundless Waterfall,” Otonashi no Taki or Otonashi Waterfall is a magnificent waterfall situated in the small town of Ohara which is tucked away in the serene mountainous areas of northern Kyoto. A legend says that it was given that name because the sounds of the splashing and falling waters fused seamlessly with the chanting of the monks from the nearby shrine. The area around the falls is well-maintained and marked so hiking to see it up close is quite easy, even for the inexperienced.

Access:

The town of Ohara is easily accessible from Kyoto Station.

  • Get on the Karasuma Subway Line and get off at Kokusaikaikan Station which is the line’s terminal station. Then take Kyoto Bus number 19 headed to Ohara.
  • Or you can take Kyoto Bus number 17 which directly connects Kyoto Station and Ohara.