Hirayu Waterfall (Hirayu Otaki [平湯大滝])

Takayama / Hirayu Onsen / Shirahone Onsen, Gifu, Japan

About Hirayu Waterfall (Hirayu Otaki [平湯大滝])


Hiking Distance: 800m one-way shuttle or 1.6km round trip
Suggested Time: 30-45 minutes

Date first visited: 2016-10-20
Date last visited: 2023-07-06

Waterfall Latitude: 36.17712
Waterfall Longitude: 137.55954

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Hirayu Waterfall (Hirayu Otaki [平湯大滝]; also called Hirayu Great Falls or just Hirayu Falls) was a classic columnar waterfall that was accentuated by the onset of the koyo (Autumn colors) during our first visit.

An emphatic member of the Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls from the Ministry of Japan (a list published in 1990 that informed which waterfalls are the country’s standouts), we were impressed by its size at 64m tall and 6m in width.

Hirayu_Falls_016_10192016 - Hirayu Great Falls or Hirayu Otaki
Hirayu Great Falls or Hirayu Otaki

Backed by the volume of the Big or Great Falls River (Otakigawa; also written as 大滝川), this was a permanent, year-round waterfall (though snow may cut off access to the closest lookout in both Winter and Spring).

In fact, I thought that this was my favorite waterfall of my second trip to Japan given how the falls impressed us as well as the seemingly right set of circumstances with the koyo adding more to its scenic allure.

Of course, that first visit to this waterfall happened in October 2016, but when we came back in April 2023 and again in early July 2023, it seemed like Spring wasn’t exactly the best time to visit (though Summer was a little bit of an improvement).

That’s because Spring is a dead season in between Winter skiing (perfect for onsen bathing) and the Summer/Fall busy seasons, and thus the closest lookout was inaccessible given that snow and ice still covered that part of the trail.

Experiencing the Hirayu Waterfall

Hirayu_Falls_162_10192016 - Approaching the shuttle bus, which reduced the amount of walking to the Hirayu Great Falls or Hirayu Otaki on our first visit back in October 2016
Approaching the shuttle bus, which reduced the amount of walking to the Hirayu Great Falls or Hirayu Otaki on our first visit back in October 2016

As for our excursions to the Hirayu Waterfall, it turned out that there used to be a lot of options (though this depended on when we made our visit).

In the past, there used to be a shuttle bus that went from the car park (see directions below) to the waterfall and back, and this was the way we did our visit back in October 2016 (at 100 yen per person).

However, in subsequent visits, we learned that the restaurant and bus are no longer in operation, and thus we were allowed (snow permitting) to drive all the way to where the shuttle buses used to drop us off.

From there, we then spent several minutes just enjoying the views and hiking as close to the Hirayu Great Falls before a rope discouraged further scrambling due to the rockfall danger.

Hirayu_Falls_102_10192016 - The shuttle van dropped us off almost right by this beautiful lookout for the Hirayu Great Falls (or Hirayu Otaki) fronted by flowers with reddish and orangish colors
The shuttle van dropped us off almost right by this beautiful lookout for the Hirayu Great Falls (or Hirayu Otaki) fronted by flowers with reddish and orangish colors

On our first visit, we were here in the early afternoon (around 2pm) in mid-October so most of the falls was already in shadow behind the mountains around us.

Perhaps that might have been a good thing since the falls faced north (i.e. towards the southern sun) so we were spared from looking against the sun.

Anyways, after having our fill of the impressive waterfall, we then chose to hike the rest of the way back to the car park (covering a distance of 1km).

However, we very easily could have chosen to shuttle (now drive) in both directions (for the minimal amount of walking of probably around 5-10 minutes each way).

Hirayu_Falls_084_10192016 - Mom checking out the Hirayu Great Falls (or Hirayu Otaki) from as far as we could go before the safety barricades
Mom checking out the Hirayu Great Falls (or Hirayu Otaki) from as far as we could go before the safety barricades

Moreover, we could have hiked in both directions from the lower car parks for the maximal amount of walking covering about 2km round trip.

And that was something we actually did on our second visit in April 2023 since the nearest car parks weren’t available due to snow on the former shuttle route (actually all the facilities here were boarded up and shut).

The hike back from the waterfall followed along the Otakigawa sloping gently downhill before veering into a valley with beautiful foliage flanked by mountains.

Towards the end of the walk was a developed area with a reflective pond, some buildings, and nice views towards the Hirayu Onsen in its mountainous context.

Hirayu_Falls_132_10192016 - After having our fill of the Hirayu Great Falls or Hirayu Otaki, we chose to walk back to the car park on a gentle downhill stroll which also went through this nice nature walk after leaving the road
After having our fill of the Hirayu Great Falls or Hirayu Otaki, we chose to walk back to the car park on a gentle downhill stroll which also went through this nice nature walk after leaving the road

Strangely, it turned out that our first visit here happened to catch the restaurant and shuttle in its final days of operation because they closed for good in the following years (we initially thought they were seasonal closures).

Overall, in each of our visits, we had spent about an hour away from the car, but we really took our time both around the waterfall itself as well as on the walk back.

The Discovery of the Hirayu Onsen

While my parents and I already had our fill of the hot springs experience at the nearby Shirahone Onsen, the Hirayu Waterfall was also near the town of Hirayu Onsen, which itself was its own hot springs resort town.

Speaking of hot springs, there was a story of the discovery of the Hirayu Onsen.

Hirayu_no_Yu_005_iPhone_04132023 - The public and private onsens at the Hirayu Onsen Resort Town is typically popular for unwinding after a day on the slopes during the Winter, but the town's apparent discovery seems like the stuff of legends
The public and private onsens at the Hirayu Onsen Resort Town is typically popular for unwinding after a day on the slopes during the Winter, but the town’s apparent discovery seems like the stuff of legends

It involved the Shirozaru or white monkey, where soldiers who had recently attacked Hida managed to find their way to the Hirayu Waterfall.

Apparently, a white monkey happened to be coming from behind the falls and headed to a hot spring further down the mountain (perhaps to bathe in it).

Curious, the soldiers followed the monkey to the spring, and it was said that this was how the town of Hirayu Onsen was discovered some 450 years ago.

Authorities

The Hirayu Waterfall resides in the Hirayu Onsen near Takayama of the Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is administered by the Gifu Prefectural Government. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting their website.

Hirayu_003_07052023 - These days, we were able to drive all the way to the old shuttle stop during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_005_07052023 - Going up the walking path from the nearest parking area to get closer to the Hirayu Falls in an early Summer morning on our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_009_07052023 - Familiar view from the beginning lookouts on the way to the end of the short trail for Hirayu Falls. This is how it looks in Summer, which can be compared with how it looks in Spring as well as Autumn further down in this photo gallery
Hirayu_012_07052023 - Portrait look at the impressive Hirayu Great Falls as seen in early July 2023
Hirayu_013_07052023 - Now the barricade that once blocked the path to the bottom on our April 2023 visit is gone during this early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_020_07052023 - Descending from the bridge towards the bouldery banks of the river on the way to the end of the short trail for the Hirayu Falls on our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_023_07052023 - Closer look at the short trail leading closer to the base of Hirayu Falls during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_024_07052023 - Looking back at the footing (which can be slick) of the short trail to the river's edge before the Hirayu Great Falls as seen during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_035_07052023 - View of Hirayu Great Falls from the end of the short trail to the river's edge as seen during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_030_07052023 - Closer look at some infrastructure where it might have been possible to cross the river to get even closer to the Hirayu Great Falls in years past, but certainly this wasn't the case during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_046_07052023 - Portait look at the cliffs surrounding the Hirayu Great Falls in the Summertime as seen during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_062_07052023 - After the group had fun throwing rocks across the river, it was time to retreat to the parked cars during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_065_07052023 - Context of the bridge with the man-made waterfalls on our way back from the Hirayu Great Falls during our early July 2023 visit
Hirayu_Otaki_003_iPhone_04132023 - In mid-April 2023, I came back to the Hirayu Otaki Waterfall with Julie and Tahia, but this time it was Spring, which seemed like it was a bit early in the year to experience this place.  It was also bitterly cold that morning. Note that this photo and the next several shots were taken from this early season Spring visit
Hirayu_Otaki_004_iPhone_04132023 - Julie and Tahia starting to make the walk up to the Hirayu Waterfall from the mostly empty parking lot during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_011_04122023 - Looking back across the empty parking lot for Hirayu Otaki during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_008_iPhone_04132023 - Context of a pair of man-modified waterfalls with the Hirayu Great Falls on the morning of our mid-April 2023 visit just as the sun was starting to breach the nearby cliffs
Hirayu_Otaki_013_04122023 - Julie and Tahia going through a pretty dead-looking resort area where the shuttle bus pick-up would normally be, but as you can see from the presence of snow, there's no way this place would be in operation at this time
Hirayu_Otaki_014_04122023 - Looking towards an inn or restaurant around the shuttle stop area with snow still stacked against the building walls during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_017_04122023 - Julie approaching the garden area on the way up to the Hirayu Great Falls though the garden looked kind of dead during our mid-April 2023 visit
Hirayu_Otaki_018_04122023 - Looking back across what would normally be a pond adjacent to a restaurant as seen during our Hirayu Great Falls visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_019_04122023 - Even though the facilities here looked like they hadn't been in operation for a while, we still were able to follow the path up to the shuttle route and ultimately to the Hirayu Great Falls in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_020_04122023 - Looking back at the context of the restaurant during our mid-April 2023 visit
Hirayu_Otaki_027_04122023 - When we made it to the shuttle route, we could see that there was still snow and ice, which wouldn't be conducive for the cost of running a shuttle during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_031_04122023 - Julie and Tahia going past the end of the shuttle route and approaching the lookouts for the Hirayu Great Falls in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_034_04122023 - Tahia and Julie checking out the Hirayu Great Falls during our chilly morning visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_037_04122023 - Context of the Hirayu Great Falls and its cascading river flanked by snow during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_041_04122023 - Focused look at the Hirayu Great Falls with still some snow concealing its base during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_043_04122023 - Broad look at the context of Hirayu Otaki Waterfall surrounded by tall cliffs and bare trees as our mid-April 2023 visit still exhibited that in-between dead period between Winter and Summer
Hirayu_Otaki_047_04122023 - Looking back towards the context of the end of the shuttle route from the lookout we witnessed the Hirayu Otaki Waterfall at during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_048_04122023 - Juxtaposition of a man-modified pair of waterfalls and the Hirayu Great Falls during our mid-April 2023 visit (I didn't recall the man-modified waterfalls from my October 2016 visit)
Hirayu_Otaki_051_04122023 - Portrait look at part of the man-modified waterfall and the Hirayu Great Falls as seen in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_053_04122023 - During our mid-April 2023 visit, we couldn't go past the bridge due to the presence of snow and ice (further evidence that Spring may not be the greatest time to visit Hirayu Great Falls)
Hirayu_Otaki_057_04122023 - Julie and Tahia heading back to the shuttle route after having had our fill of Hirayu Great Falls in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_062_04122023 - Context of some kind of shelter in the garden area on the way back from Hirayu Great Falls during our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Otaki_068_04122023 - Final descent to the car parks for the Hirayu Otaki to end our visit in mid-April 2023
Hirayu_Falls_010_10192016 - Dad approaching a developed area near the car park for Hirayu Falls, where we managed to catch that shuttle van before it left during our first visit to Hirayu Great Falls in October 2016. Note this photo and the rest of the photos in this gallery took place during this time
Hirayu_Falls_011_10192016 - This was where the shuttle van dropped us off during our October 2016 visit, which was practically adjacent to the lookout for the impressive Hirayu Waterfall
Hirayu_Falls_013_10192016 - Looking back at the shuttle's drop off area by the Hirayu Waterfall when the van was taking off in October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_019_10192016 - Focused look at the impressive Hirayu Great Falls from the lookout by the shuttle van dropoff area as seen during the koyo in October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_023_10192016 - Another look at the Hirayu Great Falls fronted by some smaller intermediate cascades as seen from the lookout by the shuttle van dropoff area in October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_033_10192016 - Context of the Hirayu Waterfall backed by mountains and fronted by colorful foliage during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_035_10192016 - Another look at the Hirayu Waterfall fronted by some reddish plants during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_038_10192016 - Passing by some signage and fences as we continued to walk as close to the Hirayu Waterfall as we could during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_042_10192016 - Looking downstream towards the shuttle dropoff area and the lookout over there as the Otakigawa flowed towards them during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_095_10192016 - Checking out the context of the walkway with some small cascades on the Otakigawa en route to the Hirayu Falls on our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_050_10192016 - Partial look at the Hirayu Great Falls while the Otakigawa flowed over more attractive cascades as we continued our walk to get closer to the main waterfall on our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_064_10192016 - Portrait view of the Hirayu Waterfall from the safety barricade with cascades and rapids tumbling further downstream during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_072_10192016 - Looking towards the Hirayu Great Falls juxtaposed with some orangish foliage to its right as seen from the safety barricade as seen in October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_089_10192016 - After having our fill of the Hirayu Great Falls in October 2016, this was the view of the trail as we headed back
Hirayu_Falls_097_10192016 - Looking downstream along the Otakigawa towards the lookout and shuttle dropoff area as we walked closer to the waterfall during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_104_10192016 - Back at the main lookout by the shuttle van dropoff area with another chance to really enjoy the Hirayu Waterfall during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_128_10192016 - When we made it back to the shuttle dropoff area by the Hirayu Falls lookout, we decided that we should walk all the way back to the car park to conclude our magical October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_129_10192016 - Mom and Dad walking along the access road as the shuttle van to the Hirayu Great Falls was approaching
Hirayu_Falls_133_10192016 - Looking towards some house in the attractive valley that we walked through on the way back to the car park from the Hirayu Falls in October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_134_10192016 - Another look at this house, which was one of the things we noticed along the pleasant hike through the valley on the return from Hirayu Great Falls
Hirayu_Falls_138_10192016 - Mom about to pass a shelter and get right back to the developed part near the car park for Hirayu Great Falls to conclude our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_140_10192016 - Looking ahead at Dad about to enter the developed part of the car park area for the Hirayu Great Falls in October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_148_10192016 - Looking across a reflective pond by the developed area near the car park for the Hirayu Waterfall, which looked lovely during our October 2016 visit
Hirayu_Falls_151_10192016 - Looking back up towards the direction of the Hirayu Great Falls for this lovely scenery in October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_157_10192016 - Looking back towards some of the buildings in the developed area by the car park for the Hirayu Waterfall as of October 2016
Hirayu_Falls_161_10192016 - Descending towards the nearest car park for the Hirayu Waterfall to end this pleasant excursion in October 2016


To get to Hirayu Great Falls from Takayama, we would drive east to the turnoff for the Hirayu Great Falls was about 34km along the Route 158.

Along the way was the Choshi Falls (also spelled Chosi Falls), which might be a worthwhile excursion if time permits.

Hirayu_Falls_002_10192016 - Looking in the distance towards Hwy 158 and some of the surrounding mountains in the direction of the far end of the car park at the Hirayu Waterfall
Looking in the distance towards Hwy 158 and some of the surrounding mountains in the direction of the far end of the car park at the Hirayu Waterfall

This drive took us about a little under an hour.

Coming from the other direction in Matsumoto, the drive west to the turnoff for the Hirayu Great Falls was about 51km along the Route 158.

This drive would take nearly 90 minutes.

We actually came here from the Shirahone Onsen, which involved us driving nearly 4km along the Route 300 to join up with the Route 158.

Hirayu_Otaki_004_04122023 - Context of the nearest car park to the Hirayu Great Falls as seen when it was pretty empty in the Spring
Context of the nearest car park to the Hirayu Great Falls as seen when it was pretty empty in the Spring

Then, we went west on the 158 for nearly 12km.

Turning left at the next light just after paying the toll fee, we then drove about 200m before making another left to go right up to the well-signed Hirayu Falls.

Overall, this drive took us about 30 minutes.

Note that turning right at the light (instead of a left) would have taken us further down the mountain to the Hirayu Onsen.

Hirayu_Falls_005_10192016 - At the sparsely populated nearest car park to the Hirayu Great Falls
At the sparsely populated nearest car park to the Hirayu Great Falls

It was about 1.5km between this resort town and the nearest car park for the waterfall.

For geographical context, Takayama is 35 km (45 minutes drive) from west of Hirayu Onsen, 50km (about 45 minutes drive) southeast of Shirakawago, 85km (about 2 hours drive) west of Matsumoto, 148 km (about 3 hours drive) southwest from Nagano, and 157km (about 2.5 hours drive) north of Nagoya.

Finally, we should note that we paid 500 円 (yen) to park at the nearest lot for the Hirayu Waterfall during our first visit in October 2016.

However, at the time, we noticed quite a few people who managed to park further down the hill closer to the Route 158 and walk up to the main car park to avoid having to pay that kind of money for parking.

Drive_to_Hirayu_002_jx_04132023.JPEG - Looking back at the road leading up to the paid parking lots before the Hirayu Otaki Waterfall. Notice the barricade warning visitors of snow (or maybe closure) during our mid-April 2023 visit
Looking back at the road leading up to the paid parking lots before the Hirayu Otaki Waterfall. Notice the barricade warning visitors of snow (or maybe closure) during our mid-April 2023 visit

Paying for parking at the nearest lot apparently would have saved around 400-500m in each direction (or up to 1km round trip), which might have been close enough to justify not needing to pay the extra amount.

Perhaps that might have explained why the car park was so sparsely populated during our visit in October 2016, but there was definitely no fee collected when we came back in both April 2023 and in early July 2023.

So maybe this business about parking fees may be obsolete at the moment, but you never know with these things as ownership situations could easily change and institute a new visitation scheme.

Find A Place To Stay

Left to right sweep from the initial lookout area of the falls in the Summer


Right to left sweep from the end of the short walk during our early July 2023 visit


360 degree back and forth sweep with more of a focus on the cliffs surrounding the falls as well as the stream and some relics of past infrastructure (as seen in early July 2023)


Semi-circular sweep from downstream to upstream as seen from the lookout close to the end of shuttle route


Sweep encompassing some man-modified waterfalls along with the main falls itself


Sweep showing distant view of the falls fronted by nice fall colors


Checking out the falls from some alternate viewing spots to the left of the stream


Sweep showing the falls as seen from the other side of the suspension bridge

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Tagged with: hirayu, onsen, takayama, shirahone, kogen, norikura, gifu, japan, waterfall, koyo, fall colors, top 100, japan alps



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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