Kanba Falls (Kanba Falls Natural Park)

This natural park lets you get up close to a large waterfall with a drop of about 110 meters. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the entrance to the falls along a well-maintained path, and you can enjoy the gorge scenery as you walk along the river. Along the way, there are highlights such as “Tamadare Falls,” reminiscent of raindrops dripping from a thatched roof, and “Oni no Ana,” a cave formed by limestone erosion, so you can encounter varied scenery even over a short distance.

Kanba Falls, the park’s main attraction, has a drop of about 110 meters and a width of about 20 meters, cascading in three tiers. It has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty and selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.” From the viewing deck, you can feel the power of the water plunging down at close range, and depending on the wind direction, fine spray may reach you. In the center of the falls, a black rock juts out, and it is called “Koi Iwa” because it looks like a carp climbing up against the falling spray. The surrounding area is designated as a prefectural natural park, and you can clearly feel the changes of the four seasons, such as fresh spring greenery, lush summer greenery, and autumn foliage as maple and katsura trees take on their autumn colors.

Around 160 wild Japanese macaques live nearby, and if you are lucky, you may spot them. However, since they are wild animals, keep your distance and observe quietly. Eating and drinking are prohibited, and pets are not allowed in the park, so visit in light clothing and comfortable walking shoes.