Yu Waterfall (Yu-daki [湯滝])

The Yu Waterfall (Yu-daki [湯滝]; also seen it spelled Yu-taki and Yu Falls) is an pretty unique-looking waterfall draining Yu-no-ko by the Yumoto Onsen. The word "yu" might look familiar if you've visited any Japanese restaurant in

What really cracked me up about this waterfall was a sign at the car park that said something about appreciating its "feminine qualities." Even Julie got a real good crack up out of it. From looking at the photo above, we'll leave it up to you to figure out what they mean by it.

The way we experienced this waterfall was as part of a fairly long but pretty one-way walk starting from Yumoto Onsen and rejoining the bus just downstream near the car park for this waterfall. The intent was to build up the experience by absorbing the picturesque nature here before culminating in the waterfall itself. However, I admit that we probably didn't have to go all the way to the Yumoto Onsen to start the walk.

In any case, we enjoyed the pleasurable hour-long walk around the Yu-no-ko to the top of Yu-daki. And after going down some steps and a couple of switchbacks, we ultimately made it to the viewing platform right in front of the Yu Waterfall, which happened to be crowded with Japanese students when we arrived. Overall, the experience was very relaxing, very peaceful, and very scenic. What more could you ask for?

But if you were so inclined to reduce the length of this 2-3km excursion, there's really nothing to stop you from doing it since they do have a bus stop right in front of the falls.

I think it was something like another 30- to 45 minutes to go from the Chuzenji Onsen stop all the way to Yumoto Onsen (though my notes were a little unclear about this). As for cost, this route is part of the two-day All Nikko Pass, which is a good value.

For more details on the logistics of getting to Nikko, see the Kegon-no-taki page.

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Chuzenji-ko seen on the way up to Yumoto Onsen

Looking over some thermally heated water towards the rest of Yu-no-ko

Julie on the established boardwalk along the shores of Yu-no-ko

Looking back in the direction of Yumoto Onsen over Yu-no-ko

View from the very top of the falls

Walking to the bottom of the falls

Finally at the bottom but it was quite crowded down here with students

Another look at Yu-daki or the Yu Waterfall

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Looking up directly at the Yu Waterfall

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TRIP REPORTS

• May 25, 2009

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Kegon Waterfall
• Ryuzu Waterfall
• Urami Waterfall
• Kirifuri Waterfall

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