Best Waterfall Trails in Japan

This trail is what hiking is all about. I was intimidated by the description of "experienced hikers" because I tend to minimize my experience. Yes it is challenging but I will now officially call myself experienced because it was not intimidating. However if you think hiking is mostly flat terrain or gentle inclines then this might not be for you. I missed the summit because I didn't realize I was there. When you get to the restaurant at the road, zoom in on the map, I think you need to follow the road around the curve for the view. I am disappointed I missed the view but it was definitely an excellent hike.

I followed a group that went immediately up hill to the left of the waterfall trail at the trailhead where all the bicycling parking is. However I diverted off from and ended up by myself in the woods hiking up endless stairs. This resulted in a much more challenging hike and serene experience. It was such a needed break from all the touristy stuff I have been doing. It may not be the biggest waterfall but it is definitely still beautiful! Definitely a worthwhile hike, totally adaptable for all fitness levels.

Absolutely perfect! Cliff jumps (15-20 ft) on the way to the waterfall. Once you’ve made it to the waterfall, a rope swing and a nice pool area for the family. Definitely doing this again.

Amazing trail. Easy to get to. The water fall at the end was worth getting wet

Short hike with easy to reach waterfall. Very enjoyable as we walk along the stream to reach the waterfall.

Superb views! Easy to get to and very very beautiful! Some parts of the trails are rather narrow and the bridge youd have to cross is a bit run down but other than that super beautiful! Don't forget to study the map so you dont take a wrong turn or else youll end up somewhere completely else! Lots of views of mount fuji along the trail and the surrounding mountains!

A lovely walk up and down the canyon past many waterfalls. There is an entrance fee (I remember 200 yen), and it costs money to park your car. There is bus service to the trailhead. This is a very popular trail especially for photographers.

Nice and relaxing trails. I took trail 6 up to the top. It was easy route. I saw a small waterfall called Biwataki waterfall on the way up. I took Inari trail on the way back which was a bit more fun and a bit more steep. But overall nice and relaxing trail. Kids friendly so I saw several families with kids. Nice getaway from a big city!

A short hike with spectacular views, temples.

What a lot of these reviews didn’t say is that you’re hiking in a river bed and have to scale some rocks to get to the waterfall. Make sure you wear shoes that you can climb in and get wet.

Still had a lot of fun with my husband and three year old in a carrier.

This trail can be difficult with some technical rock climbs/descents. It was very busy when I went (the weekend) with people of all ages, including many impressive older people charging it. Views of Osaka can be glimpsed throughout with an impressive panoramic view at the very summit. The trail includes several small stream crossings.

The first 1/4 mile is all rock climbing but then becomes a typical trail, so don't get discouraged as I did by.
The trail is well worn and well defined. There are a couple of forks with no English on the trail markers, so prepared.

Note: that this trail as listed doesn't go to the summit and it's only about another 1/4 mile. Make sure you do that to get the summit view!

Beautiful trail and a great little workout! It's a bit steep on the way up but once you reach the peak it's an easy trek down to the Arima area. Stopped in at the Kin no Yu onsen to soak in the natural, mineral enriched waters - absolute must! Trail signage is all in Japanese with multiple forks, so make sure your GPS device or phone is charged to last the distance.

We did this as a family, the day after a typhoon hit Okinawa. It’s an ok outing, but other than some very overgrown parts there wasn’t much to write home about.
The children found the crocodile meets that we found fascinating, but were disappointed that there wasn’t anything more interesting on the hike.
They definitely enjoyed the waterfalls at Henan River more.

We headed out as a family to this hike. It was fantastic. The children loved it and defined it as an epic adventure!

The hike to the waterfall consists of walking along the river. It was nice to be wet the whole time until reaching the waterfall. I really enjoyed this hike. Next time I'll definitely waterproof my phone.

Not too bad! You can get to the Waterfall in like 30-45 minutes if you don't stop. Water is nice and cold and super clear. There's a lot of steps you need to climb.
Beautiful place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

awesome escape from the city during a work trip weekend. took the hard trail up, temple at the top, lots of shrines all along, took the paved path down.

This is a nice trail, lots of steps. However it doesn’t allow pets. So don’t bring your dog they will turn you away.

Beautiful trail that provides a great workout climbing. Note that there are two ascents to make it to the top. If you want to return to Kobe instead of Arima, then follow the trail along the road to the right. It will take you to the top of the cable car for a descent. There is some up and down hiking through here, but avoids the road with traffic and no road shoulder.

Loved this trail! Given the heat, having to walk through the river was so refreshing! Some areas the water was up to my hips (I'm 5'1). My husband loved the cliff jumping into the deep end almost to the end of the trail. And swimming through the waterfall was amazing. I also loved the ropes other okinawan locals put on branches to swing into the water! When we went there were a few children field trips enjoying the hike too so if your kid is adventurous, they'd love this hike for sure!

We completed this fun hike through the waters of the Henan River and visited the Ta-taki waterfall at the turn-around point. We entered the water at the corner of the parking lot, but there is another entry point if you walk up the road along the river for a bit. Overall, all four members of our group (youngest was 8 yrs old) completed the uploaded track and only required getting wet to a level of about 3-4 feet deep. There of plenty of areas that are suitable for swimming if you wish. Please read and follow all directions on the sign at the parking lot (see uploaded picture). It is especially important to stay out of the "river" during/after any rain as flash floods can occur. Overall, a very fun outing for a very hot Okinawa summer day.

It's great if you just walk up the river itself the entire way. It's only a few inches deep and a couple parts where it is waist deep. My 14 year old and my dog loved it. Going back tomorrow with the 10 year old.

We took trail 1, paved, to the top. it was a bit crowded but had all the sights. We took trail 6 down which was a dirt trail yo the forest. It descended down to a stream and you actually walk in the stream bed for a little bit. Trail 6 was much quieter and enjoyable.

It was a very well kept trail perfect for a family stroll

Directions: Get to Kyoto Station around 7-8, take #72 bus to Kiyotaki. From Kiyotaki Station, walk down the road into town to the shrine gate across the river. The road will ascend all the way up the 5 kilometer (3 mile) climb into the Atago Shrine area. There are several return routes. You can branch over the mountain to Takao, with a bus ride back, or go back through Getsurinji temple. The trail to these are located on the right next to the final stone steps up to Atago Shrine. Getsurinji is an ad hoc temple of a couple of Buddhist statue carving recluses that live on the mountain. Go down farther on this path and it leads to Kuuya Falls, a beautiful waterfall. You can return back by bus from Takao or from Kiyotaki.

I hit a perfect day (no wind, blue sky, no rain last days) and had lot's of fun on this trail. Mostly taken by locals it was a big surprise to find such a well maintained hike/climb up to the summit. Will definitely hike it again!

I liked it better 20 years ago when you had to get wet and pull yourself through the jungle.

Awesome trail with great chances of meeting locals that complete the trail about twice a week.

This is a great hike for anyone that is traveling or living in the Kansai region.