Kanmangafuchi Abyss Waterfalls

Nikko, Tochigi, Japan

About Kanmangafuchi Abyss Waterfalls


Hiking Distance: almost roadside (or about 1.5km walk each way from Shinkyo Bridge)
Suggested Time: about 15-30 minutes

Date first visited: 2023-04-16
Date last visited: 2023-04-16

Waterfall Latitude: 36.74914
Waterfall Longitude: 139.58888

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Kanmangafuchi Abyss Waterfalls (kanman-ga-fuchi-no-taki [憾満ヶ淵の滝]) were essentially my excuse to experience the mysterious Bake Jizo (Narabi Jizo) statues in the town of Nikko.

The Bake Jizo were a row of some 74 red-capped statues all facing the Daiya River (or Daiyagawa [大谷川]), which is the same river responsible for the Kegon Waterfall further upstream.

Bake_Jizo_068_04152023 - Some of the waterfalls in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Some of the waterfalls in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss

Ever since our first visit to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in June 2009, we were mesmerized by the mysterious statues providing a somewhat eerie feeling to that experience.

Back then, the place was largely unexplored, and even tourist infrastructure was lacking while all the signage were in Japanese, which further added to the mystique of that first visit.

Yet even though we weren’t looking for a waterfalling experience (because they’re really nothing that significant compared to other named waterfalls), they were there.

And that was something I had noticed even more when I came back on a return visit in April 2023.

Bake_Jizo_087_04152023 - Context of the cascades on the Daiyagawa River alongside the Bake Jizo statues in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko
Context of the cascades on the Daiyagawa River alongside the Bake Jizo statues in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko

During that second visit, I saw that there were a handful of tourists out and about early in the morning as well as some more international tourism infrastructure (i.e. an info office as well as more signs in English).

In any case, I paid more attention to the cascades and waterfalls both in the Daiya River as well as from side streams feeding the river, and the end result was this write-up (when I could have written this up on our first visit).

Nevertheless, the real appeal of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss was the jizo statues situated in a volcanic gorge (from which someone must have presumed it was an “abyss”) that may have been formed originally from an eruption of the nearby Mt Nantai.

That said, I didn’t think the gorge was anything close to being as deep as what I would imagine the word “abyss” would conjure up, and perhaps something got lost in translation.

Bake_Jizo_055_04152023 - Context of a shelter by the Daiyagawa River with some cascades coming from the Nikko Botanical Gardens on the other side of the river
Context of a shelter by the Daiyagawa River with some cascades coming from the Nikko Botanical Gardens on the other side of the river

Anyways, contrasting the much busier visit to the Toshogu Shrine and its neighboring temples and shrines in Nikko, a visit to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss was like a breath of fresh air.

As far as how we experienced this place, the first time we were here in late May 2009, we stayed at the Turtle Inn Nikko annex Hotori-an, which was a tatami-style accommodation right next door to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss.

So it was very easy and straightforward to just go next door and explore the statues in naturesque surroundings.

The second time I visited this place was in mid-April 2023, where we stayed at the Kozuchi no Yado Tsurukame Daikichi (a ryokan-like accommodation not far upstream from the Shinkyo Bridge), and I walked about 1km to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss.

Bake_Jizo_013_iPhone_04162023 - The atmospheric entrance through the Kanman Park fronted by cherry blossoms still around on our mid-April 2023 visit
The atmospheric entrance through the Kanman Park fronted by cherry blossoms still around on our mid-April 2023 visit

In hindsight, since I was renting a car on that second visit, I probably could have driven to a small car park adjacent to a local cemetery and shrine, which was just above the main row of Bake Jizo statues.

The row itself was only about 200-300m long, and it doesn’t take long to take in the scenery including the incidental cascades and waterfalls within the “abyss” itself.

Authorities

The Kanmangafuchi Abyss Waterfalls reside in the Nikko area of the Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. They may be administered by the Nikko National Park. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting the Nikko Tourism Association website.

Bake_Jizo_004_04152023 - Taking an atmospheric morning stroll to the Bake Jizo during the last day of our mid-April 2023 trip to Japan. This photo and the next several ones were taken on that second visit
Bake_Jizo_006_04152023 - Signs pointing the way to Kanmangafuchi Abyss with some remnant cherry blossoms still flanking the road
Bake_Jizo_009_04152023 - Another look at the road flanked by blossoms on the way to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_010_04152023 - Closeup look at one of the flowers on a blossoming tree on the way to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_015_04152023 - Some folks have also planted flowers alongside the access road to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_017_04152023 - Going across the bridge over the Daiyagawa River en route to Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_020_04152023 - Some kind of power facility with some remnant cherry blossoms nearby on the way to Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_024_04152023 - A welcoming jizo statue right at the entrance to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Kanman Park
Bake_Jizo_026_04152023 - An attractively atmospheric approach where cherry blossoms were still on the trees on the approach to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_031_04152023 - The archway fronting the actual site of Kanmangafuchi Abyss and its jizo statues
Bake_Jizo_033_04152023 - Looking down across one of the cascades on the Daiyagawa River at Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_034_04152023 - Looking alongside the Bake Jizo statues in Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_035_04152023 - Looking directly at a trio of jizo statues at Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_037_04152023 - Another look alongside some jizo statues and what appeared to be tombstones of some sort where there weren't jizo statues at Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_038_04152023 - Another look along the Bake Jizo statues in Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_039_04152023 - Looking towards the end of the first row of Bake Jizo in Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_040_04152023 - Looking across the Daiyagawa River towards a pair of smaller waterfalls coming from the Nikko Botanical Garden
Bake_Jizo_042_04152023 - More focused look at the smaller waterfalls across the Daiyagawa River in Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_044_04152023 - Looking back along the first row of Bake Jizo statues in Kanmangafuchi Abyss during my mid-April 2023 visit
Bake_Jizo_049_04152023 - Direct look at some of the cascades on the Daiyagawa River at the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_051_04152023 - Context of a shelter fronting cascades on the Daiyagawa River at the Kanmangafuchi Abyss as seen in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_053_04152023 - Looking along the main row of Bake Jizo statues in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss as seen in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_056_04152023 - Another closeup look at some of the jizo statues at Kanmangafuchi Abyss as seen in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_057_04152023 - Looking back along the main row of Bake Jizo statues in Kanmangafuchi Abyss in April 2023
Bake_Jizo_060_04152023 - Some kind of dam or weir on a side stream at the very far end of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss shortly beyond the last row of Bake Jizo as seen in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_004_iPhone_04162023 - More elevated view at the weir beyond the Bake Jizo
Bake_Jizo_063_04152023 - Heading back along the atmospheric Bake Jizo as I started to head out of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_068_04152023 - More elevated view along the main row of Bake Jizo in Kanmangafuchi Abyss on the steps leading up to a car park and local cemetery
Bake_Jizo_071_04152023 - Looking towards a lone cherry blossom above a local cemetery where there's also a shrine further back. This is above the main row of Bake Jizo
Bake_Jizo_075_04152023 - Heading back down to the main walkway of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss from the small car park
Bake_Jizo_077_04152023 - More elevated view of the shelter and cascades coming from Nikko Botanical Garden
Bake_Jizo_079_04152023 - Another look at the shelter fronting the small cascades opposite the Nikko Botanical Garden
Bake_Jizo_080_04152023 - A more evenly lit view of the side cascades beneath the Nikko Botanical Garden opposite the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_082_04152023 - Going back along the Bake Jizo first row on the way out of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_083_04152023 - During my second time visiting Bake Jizo and the Kanmangafuchi Abyss (mid-April 2023), I noticed that more of the jizo statues seemed to have been beheaded than I remmebered from the first time
Bake_Jizo_084_04152023 - Contextual look at the clear waters of the Daiyagawa River with cascades on them as they flow past Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_088_04152023 - Last look back at the Bake Jizo first row in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_092_04152023 - Looking towards the cherry blossoms fronting the Kanmangafuchi Abyss during my mid-April 2023 visit
Bake_Jizo_096_04152023 - Last look back at the attractive cherry blossoms still there even though it was past sakura season for most of Japan in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_010_iPhone_04162023 - Another look at the cherry blossoms on the way out of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in mid-April 2023
Bake_Jizo_101_04152023 - More colorful look at some cherry blossoms by a power station on the walk back to Kozuchi no Yado Tsurukame Daikichi
Bake_Jizo_105_04152023 - Looking downstream at the Daiyagawa River from the road bridge
Bake_Jizo_107_04152023 - Looking upstream at the Daiyagawa River from the road bridge
Bake_Jizo_113_04152023 - Looking back at some attractive weeping cherry blossom trees on the walk back to our ryokan-like accommodation for breakfast
Bake_Jizo_116_04152023 - Another look back towards cherry blossoms backed by mountains on the walk back to breakfast at our ryokan-like accommodation
Bake_Jizo_001_05252009 - Julie approaching the Kanmangafuchi Abyss entrance on our first visit back in late May 2009. This photo and the rest of the photos in this gallery were from this visit
Bake_Jizo_002_05252009 - Looking along the first row of Bake Jizo statues during our first visit back in late May 2009
Bake_Jizo_006_05252009 - Another look at the first row of Bake Jizo statues in late May 2009
Bake_Jizo_012_05252009 - Closeup look at some of the jizo statues in the first row of Bake Jizo in late May 2009
Bake_Jizo_014_05252009 - Looking across some cascades towards a small waterfall across the river, which in hindsight might be coming from Nikko Botanical Gardens. So I probably could have (and should have) done this write-up after that first visit in late May 2009
Bake_Jizo_015_05252009 - Looking at a shelter fronting a nice cascade on the Daiyagawa River in Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Bake_Jizo_017_05252009 - Looking at the main row of Bake Jizo statues in Kanmangafuchi Abyss during our late May 2009 visit
Bake_Jizo_023_05252009 - Going back among the first row of Bake Jizo on the way out of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in late May 2009
Bake_Jizo_024_05252009 - Some kind of pillar or sign in a mix of kanji and hiragana near the entrance to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss as seen in late May 2009
Bakejizo_008_jx_05252009 - Going back underneath the entranceway to return to Kanman Park and ultimately return to the Turtle Annex Hotori-an


The Kanmangafuchi Abyss (encompassing the Bake Jizo or Narabi Jizo statues as well as the waterfalls) is pretty much in the touristy part of Western Nikko.

That said, it’s on the south side of the Daiyagawa River, which is much quieter than the bustling town further to the north and to the east.

Bake_Jizo_001_04152023 - The narrow road leading about 1km towards the Kanmangafuchi Abyss as seen from the backside of the Kozuchi no Yado Tsurukame Daikichi ryokan-like accommodation in Nikko
The narrow road leading about 1km towards the Kanmangafuchi Abyss as seen from the backside of the Kozuchi no Yado Tsurukame Daikichi ryokan-like accommodation in Nikko

Anyways, as mentioned in the write-up above, you can do an atmospheric visit by walking to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss before experiencing the site itself, or you can drive right to the site.

The route I took (walking though driving would work, too) was to follow a side street (the first left turn 300m west of the Shinkyo Bridge), and follow this for the next 1km from Kozuchi no Yado Tsurukame Daikichi to the entrance at Kanman Park.

It’s just past the Turtle Inn Nikko annex Hotori-an.

The car park that I found that I could have taken my rental car to was about 200m past the Kanman Park entrance, where the limited space there was next to a local cemetery and shrine (above the main row of the Bake Jizo).

Bake_Jizo_003_04152023 - Sometimes it pays to do the slower and more atmospheric walking approach to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss as opposed to driving right to it
Sometimes it pays to do the slower and more atmospheric walking approach to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss as opposed to driving right to it

For some geographical context, Nikko was 39km (under an hour drive) northwest of Utsunomiya, 152km (about 2 hours drive) north of Tokyo, 159km (2 hours drive) east of Numata (or 95km over 2 hours drive via Route 120 over the Konsei Toge Pass, which is subject to snow closure), 256km (3 hours drive) southwest of Sendai, 256km (over 3 hours drive) east of Nagano, and 284km (3.5 hours drive) southeast of Niigata.

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Sweep starting off with some side waterfalls fed by Nikko Botanical Garden before moving to a row of Bake Jizo


Video starting off with an elevated view of the main row of Bake Jizo opposite the river and cascades from the Nikko Botanical Garden before descending to the Bake Jizo themselves


Following along the initial row of Bake Jizo while also checking out a cascade in the main river from a couple of different angles

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Tagged with: nikko, tochigi, japan, waterfall, unesco, bake jizo, kanman, fuchi, kanmangafuchi abyss, takumicho, jizo, gorge, abyss, kanmangafuchi gorge, daiya river, daiyagawa, daiyakawa, botanical garden, cherry blossom, kanman park



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