Kirifuri Waterfall (Kirifuri-no-taki [霧降の滝])

Nikko / Kirifuri Highlands, Tochigi, Japan

About Kirifuri Waterfall (Kirifuri-no-taki [霧降の滝])

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Kirifuri Waterfall (Kirifuri-no-taki [霧降の滝]; Kirifuri Falls) was another one of those seemingly off-the-beaten-path waterfalls as far as Julie and I were concerned.

However, in this instance, we discovered the main reason why this was the case was that the All Nikko Pass didn’t work for the Kirifuri Highlands route (at least when we first visited Japan in 2009).

Kirifuri_015_05242009 - The Kirifuri Waterfall
The Kirifuri Waterfall

Therefore, this might have discouraged most foreign tourists from visiting.

In fact, Kirifuri Falls was closer to Nikko than say Kegon-no-taki even though the latter was part of the All Nikko Pass.

Indeed, this paradox in distances was even more apparent when I made another visit by self-driving years later (by the way, this really is the way to go if you’re chasing waterfalls in Japan).

Anyways, this waterfall features essentially three main parts though not all of them can be seen together in one go.

Kirifuri_002_05242009 - The entrance to the Kirifuri Waterfall complex and viewing area when I first came here in late May 2009
The entrance to the Kirifuri Waterfall complex and viewing area when I first came here in late May 2009

In order to experience the falls from the nearest car park (see directions below), we had to go on a gentle 270m walk to a viewing platform.

The trail pretty much went onto a viewing deck perched atop a ridge with a cross-valley view of the impressive multi-tiered waterfall (said to be 75m in cumulative height).

On our first visit, the weather was benign and the falls seemed so close yet so far away.

It also didn’t help that we were primarily getting around by public transport so we had a bit of a hasty visit in less than an hour total so that we wouldn’t miss one of the infrequent buses on the way back to Nikko.

Kirifuri_004_05242009 - Approaching the lookout platform for the Kirifuri Waterfall
Approaching the lookout platform for the Kirifuri Waterfall

On my second visit, the weather wasn’t as kind and low clouds (and rain) conspired to make the cross-valley viewing experience very suboptimal as at least half the falls was covered in clouds.

Luckily, I could afford to wait long enough for the clouds to finally start lifting, and that was when I was treated to an impressive Spring flow juxtaposed with some remnant blossoms that still hadn’t fallen from the trees yet.

Indeed, that mid-April follow-up visit happened perhaps at least a week or two after the peak of the sakura (cherry blossoms), but the colder mountains (like in Nikko) tended to hang onto their blooms just a little bit longer.

Anyways, given that the waterfall was nestled in a bush-clad valley or canyon, I’d imagine that the optimal season to visit Kirifuri Falls would be the Autumn when the koyo (Fall colors) would liven up the landscape.

Kirifuri_Falls_080_04142023 - Remnant blossoms juxtaposed with a higher volume Kirifuri Waterfall in the Spring under some not-so-ideal weather
Remnant blossoms juxtaposed with a higher volume Kirifuri Waterfall in the Spring under some not-so-ideal weather

By the way, there was also some kind of restaurant and inn at the Kirifuri Falls, which looked inviting, but in each of my visits, I didn’t linger long enough to give the property a visit… maybe next time.

Since this was one of those look-but-don’t-touch waterfalls, there wasn’t a whole lot more we could do to enjoy the falls from the overlook so we didn’t entertain staying longer.

That said, according to my maps on Gaia GPS, I did see that there were trails apparently getting close to the Kirifuri Falls, but it still remains to be seen whether such markings are outdated or they’re really there.

Authorities

The Kirifuri Waterfall resides in the Nikko area of the Tochigi Prefecture. It 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.

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, kirifuri, highlands, nagano, japan alps



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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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