Kegon Waterfall (Kegon-no-taki [華厳の滝])

Nikko / Chuzenji Onsen, Tochigi, Japan

About Kegon Waterfall (Kegon-no-taki [華厳の滝])

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

As far as Julie and I were concerned, the Kegon Waterfall (Kegon-no-taki [華厳の滝]; also Kegon Falls) was the star natural attraction of the UNESCO World Heritage-laced town and area of Nikko.

Indeed, much of the attention drawn from tourists tended to go towards the historical attractions within the Nikko town itself such as the Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Taiyuin Mausoleum, etc.

Kegon_048_05242009 - The Kegon Waterfall
The Kegon Waterfall

Such structures showcased some well preserved wooden temples (many blinged out with gold plating or trims) and treasures that have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

However, just out of town (reachable by the pretty convenient buses accepting the relatively reasonably-priced All Nikko Pass), we were able to diversify our experiences with a visit towards the Chuzenjiko (Lake Chuzenji) and beyond.

Of course, if you self-drove, then you’d have greater control of your time since you wouldn’t be as dependent on bus schedules.

Anyways, this lake sourced the Daiya River (大谷川 or Daiyagawa) into the towering 97m Kegon Waterfall – easily considered one of the top three waterfalls in Japan.

Akechidaira_003_jx_04142023.JPEG - Context of Lake Chuzenji (or Chuzenjiko) feeding the Daiyagawa River, where its big plunge is the Kegon Waterfall
Context of Lake Chuzenji (or Chuzenjiko) feeding the Daiyagawa River, where its big plunge is the Kegon Waterfall

In fact, we also placed it high up on our list of the best waterfalls in Japan.

As for waterfall itself, it consisted of a 97m main plunge followed by extensive cascades and waterfalls further downstream (including the plunging Nehan Waterfall or 涅槃の滝).

So if you counted all the elevation loss that the Daiyagawa River took around the Kegon Falls, then it could very well have a cumulative height upwards of 200m or so.

No matter how you slice and dice it, the Kegon Waterfall was as world class as waterfalls get in Japan, and it certainly deserves the infrastructure letting you experience it in many different ways (which I’ll get into below).

Experiencing the Bottom of Kegon Falls

Kegon_006_05242009 - The Kegon Waterfall as seen from the free viewing deck (before taking the elevator down to the lower decks)
The Kegon Waterfall as seen from the free viewing deck (before taking the elevator down to the lower decks)

First, we were able to get nice top down views of the Kegon Waterfall from the free viewing decks, which were just a few minutes walk from the Chuzenji Onsen bus stop (which has a fairly big parking lot for buses as well as cars).

However, we thought it was well worth shelling out the extra yen for an elevator ride that took us down to the lower viewing decks.

From these lower decks, we got a more frontal view of the Kegon Falls as well as the cascades below it as well as some of the gorge geology that gave rise to these waterfalls.

On our first visit back in late May 2009, we showed up in the morning of a sunny day, which yielded nice bold rainbows arcing across the base of the falls really adding a lot of color and vibrance to the experience.

Kegon_021_04132023 - Looking down at the Nehan Waterfall (right) and the bottom of the engineered cascade flowing down the other side of the lower viewing platform area (bottom left)
Looking down at the Nehan Waterfall (right) and the bottom of the engineered cascade flowing down the other side of the lower viewing platform area (bottom left)

When we peered towards the downstream side of the viewing deck, we noticed that there was also another notable waterfall on the Daiyagawa River called Nehan Waterfall (it’s signposted) as well as a separate cascade feeding the main river.

That other cascade doesn’t have a name, and I’d imagine that there it may have some degree of engineering (i.e. water diversion) in order to reduce erosion to the viewing area we were on.

Speaking of the viewing area, I never recalled there being a shop built within this lower viewing deck in 2009, but it was definitely there as of our 2023 visit.

Moreover, I also noticed basalt columns, which is a very hard kind of lava rock (likely from neighboring Mt Nantai) that is so rigid that it breaks into hexagonal columns when the lava quickly cools by ice and eventually flakes off by erosion.

Kegon_032_04132023 - Right next to the Kegon Falls was the presence of basalt columns, which hinted at the geological forces resulting in the waterfall's formation. I believe this columnar basalt was sourced from an eruption by the neighboring Mt Nantai Volcano
Right next to the Kegon Falls was the presence of basalt columns, which hinted at the geological forces resulting in the waterfall’s formation. I believe this columnar basalt was sourced from an eruption by the neighboring Mt Nantai Volcano

Given the proximity of the geothermally heated waters of the lakes of Chuzenjiko and Yunoko (both upstream from Kegon Falls), this could also be one of the taller thermal waterfalls in the world!

Finally, there seemed to be a locked-gate path leading over that engineered waterfall towards another waterfall called Shirakumo Waterfall, which we were only made aware of after checking out the observation deck at the Akechidaira Ropeway.

Overall, this elevator and lower deck visit could easily be done within a few minutes (not counting the queueing for the elevator ride) or it could take over an hour.

It all depends on how long you wish to linger here, which may be worth doing given how popular this place has become over the years as tour buses and crowds tend to come in waves (as well as leave in waves).

Experiencing the Panoramic Views encompassing Kegon Falls via Akechidaira Ropeway

Kegon_003_iPhone_04142023 - A comprehensive panorama as seen from the observation deck atop the Akechidaira Ropeway revealing Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Shirakumo Falls, and the lower slopes of Mt Nantai to the right
A comprehensive panorama as seen from the observation deck atop the Akechidaira Ropeway revealing Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Shirakumo Falls, and the lower slopes of Mt Nantai to the right

For a very different way to experience the Kegon Waterfall, the Akechidaira Ropeway offered a more panoramic perspective.

It’s situated at a car park (and Akechi-daira bus stop) along the twisty switchbacking road between Nikko and Chuzenji Onsen (so you can take a bus here as well as self-drive; see directions below).

From there, you’d take the ropeway (i.e. cable car) up to a viewing deck with a commanding view of Lake Chuzenji feeding the Kegon Falls as well as the neighboring Shirakumo Falls and the commanding presence of Mt Nantai.

Looking in the opposite side of the observation deck, there’s a partial view of the town of Nikko (though most of it is concealed by mountains).

Akechidaira_005_jx_04142023.JPEG - Looking back in the other direction of the observation deck atop the Akechidaira Ropeway revealing the car park, the lower ropeway station, and the outskirts of the town of Nikko in the distance
Looking back in the other direction of the observation deck atop the Akechidaira Ropeway revealing the car park, the lower ropeway station, and the outskirts of the town of Nikko in the distance

Since the cable car seems to run every 20 minutes during business hours, there’s really no rush to soak in the views and feel the need to rush back to the cable car.

That said, this place can get pretty busy given how accessible and popular it is, and they’re not shy about packing people into the cable car (think maybe 8-10 people per car; maybe more).

Perhaps for the most optimal experience of the Kegon Falls, you’ll really want to be here for the koyo (Fall Colors) in Autumn and time a visit for a sunny morning to also get rainbows to boot!

Authorities

The Kegon Waterfall resides in the Nikko area of the Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It is 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.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: nikko, tochigi, japan, waterfall, unesco, chuzenjiko, chuzenji, lake, all nikko pass, akechidaira, ropeway, nantai, nehan, shirakumo, elevator



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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.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.