Dangyo Falls

A waterfall on the Naku River flowing from Mt. Yokoo on Dogo, Oki Islands. Chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls and Top 100 Famous Waters, it is one of Japan’s most iconic waterfalls. Locally, it is customary to purify oneself with this water before events and Shinto rituals.

The grounds of Dangyo Shrine feature rock walls spreading out like folding screens. There are two waterfalls here: the male falls on the right with a drop of Approx. 50 m, and the female falls on the left with a drop of Approx. 40 m. The sight of them cascading down on either side of the shrine building in the center is breathtaking. Around them, the waterfall spray drifts through the air like mist, creating an especially relaxing atmosphere. The male falls are also famous as a “behind-the-falls” waterfall where visitors can go around to the back and watch the water pouring down (entry behind the waterfall is currently prohibited due to the risk of falling rocks).

The approach from the parking lot to the falls is a mystical space lined with old cedar trees. Above all, the sheer size of the paired cedar trees rising in front of the torii gate is overwhelming.