Yonako Falls, Nagano: A Natural Spectacle Deep in the Forest

Yonako Falls in Suzaka, Nagano Prefecture, is actually a pair of waterfalls, misty Fudō Falls on the right and thundering Gongen Falls on the left. They have vertical drops of 85 meters and 80 meters, respectively. The pair is among Japan’s top 100 waterfalls and is also a government-designated scenic spot. Cascading down the face of a huge cliff in the midst of a deep forest, these two falls are truly a spectacular sight.

To see the falls, visitors must walk for about 30 minutes from the parking lot along a mountain trail that includes some steep slopes. This trail to the falls is part of a hiking course that loops the area and takes from one and a half to two hours to complete. On weekends and holidays in October, when the brilliant autumn foliage is at its peak, private vehicles are not allowed on the road to the site, but shuttle buses are available, carrying passengers as far as the parking lot; taxis are also an option.

(Originally published in Japanese. Created in cooperation with Goolight.)