Tataki Falls

Ogimi, Okinawa Island, Okinawa

About Tataki Falls


Hiking Distance: about 2.8km round trip (river scrambling involved)
Suggested Time: about 2 hours

Date first visited: 2024-11-27
Date last visited: 2024-11-27

Waterfall Latitude: 26.63135
Waterfall Longitude: 128.09269

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Tataki Falls (ta-taki [ター滝]) is a stocky but satisfying plunge waterfall requiring a bit of a river trek adventure to access.

We actually made two attempts to visit this waterfall because the first time we showed up was during a heavy rain storm, where the excursion was closed off.

Tataki_121_11262024 - Tataki Falls
Tataki Falls

When we finally got a chance to do this excursion the following day in more benign weather, we understood why they closed it off because the river hazards are real.

Indeed, most of this excursion is within a branch of the Henan River, where we had to hike and wade through a combination of a stream bed as well as the river itself.

When we had to cross or wade through the river, we were primarily trudging through knee-deep water, but the adventure became progressively rougher the closer to the waterfall we went.

That was when we found ourselves climbing and clinging to rock faces and ledges, respectively, to avoid the deepest parts of the river (usually where there’s a cascade and plunge pool).

Tataki_064_11262024 - The adventure to Tataki Falls involves a combination of river wading and some mild climbing with dropoff hazards so this is definitely a benign weather only excursion
The adventure to Tataki Falls involves a combination of river wading and some mild climbing with dropoff hazards so this is definitely a benign weather only excursion

Some of the hike had some sections where ropes were set up to act as hand-holds to aid with some of the sketchier parts of the hike.

I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this adventure in bad weather since the river levels may change to become too prohibitively high (and too fast-moving).

As a result, that’s why the people managing the car park here control when the excursion is open or closed (in addition to their standard operating hours of 8am-5:30pm with last admission at 4pm).

Indeed, I would consider this 1.4km hike (2.8km round-trip; of which 900m in each direction is within the river itself) as a benign weather only excursion.

Tataki_064_jx_11272024 - Tataki Falls is the perfect kind of waterfall to go for a swim in addition to cooling off in its river adventure to get there
Tataki Falls is the perfect kind of waterfall to go for a swim in addition to cooling off in its river adventure to get there

As for the Tataki Falls itself, this 10m double-barreled plunge waterfall turned out to be Julie’s favorite waterfall on Okinawa Island.

Not only was it pleasing to look at, but it also had a large and deep enough plunge pool to allow for swimming, which I’m sure people would appreciate in the hotter Summer months (the water was cold during our late November 2024 visit).

There was even a rope swing off to the side to allow for people to have more fun lingering around this impressive waterfall.

Of course, Julie might have had a different opinion if we were able to visit the Hiji Waterfall during our trip to Okinawa, but it was closed due to a landslide that wiped out its access road prior to our attempt to get to it.

Trail Description

Tataki_002_jx_11272024 - The parking placard for Ta-taki Falls
The parking placard for Ta-taki Falls

When we first showed up to the car park (see directions below), we were given a parking placard with instructions on how to go about our visit, and we leave it in the car until we return it upon leaving.

The basic purpose of this placard is that it overcomes a language barrier since the information on the placard is pretty self-explanatory.

However, it’s also a sort of time stamp (as each placard uniquely identifies to the owner when you have first arrived) so they can tell how long you’ve been parked at the Tataki Waterfall car park.

They charge you a different amount depending on how long you’ve been parked here, and as of our late November 2024 visit, it’s 500 yen for 2 hours, and they charged us an additional 50 yen for the next half-hour.

Tataki_029_jx_11272024 - Closeup look at the river shoes that we had rented to make the Tataki Falls adventure a bit easier and safer
Closeup look at the river shoes that we had rented to make the Tataki Falls adventure a bit easier and safer

The entrance/exit kiosk also housed an equipment shop, where we also rented river shoes for 500 yen per pair.

I was able to do this hike in my rugged Chacos, but my wife and daughter were better off renting these shoes, especially since luggage space and weight restrictions were too limited to be bringing more pairs of shoes.

Anyways, once we left the car park and toilet facility, we then walked along the continuation of a local road for the first 500m or so.

Eventually, a sign directed us to leave the road and go into the riverbed from here on out, and that was where we pretty much stayed on one side of the river or the other with some crossings in between.

Tataki_003_iPhone_11272024 - These signs marked the point where we left the road and entered the Henan River
These signs marked the point where we left the road and entered the Henan River

This is a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure kind of hike, so it’s really up to you how hard or how easy you want to make this hike based on how you’ve chosen your route (especially where you have to cross and/or wade in the river).

Anyways, for the next 300m, the riverbed was wide enough such that the water crossings were no more than shin-deep based on how we did the crossings (though there were certainly deeper ways to go if you’re so inclined).

However, after encountering a warning sign, that was when the gorge narrowed and the final 600m or so of the adventure involved more obstacles and hazards.

It started off with a rope-assisted climb to get around a cascade obstacle with a deep plunge pool.

Tataki_046_11262024 - The rope-assisted climbing obstacle shortly after crossing the Henan River just beyond a warning sign indicating that we were entering a narrower part of the riverbed
The rope-assisted climbing obstacle shortly after crossing the Henan River just beyond a warning sign indicating that we were entering a narrower part of the riverbed

Then, we pretty much rock-scrambled and waded in the river where the worst sections might have been about knee-deep.

I recalled that there was one section where we went through a knee-deep section though there was a rope-assisted ledge to cling onto in the event this part of the river might get too deep or fast-moving.

Eventually, we rounded a final bend to the right, and we found ourselves right a somewhat open area backed by the impressive Tataki Waterfall.

Aided by a large log and some stacked rocks (kind of acting as a dam of sorts), the plunge pool fronting the waterfall was certainly deep enough for a refreshing swim.

Tataki_070_11262024 - Julie and Tahia going through perhaps the deepest part of the Henan River on our adventure to Tataki Falls. Notice the ropes set up to the topleft, which I'd imagine would be an alternate path should the river levels be higher than they were during our visit
Julie and Tahia going through perhaps the deepest part of the Henan River on our adventure to Tataki Falls. Notice the ropes set up to the topleft, which I’d imagine would be an alternate path should the river levels be higher than they were during our visit

There was even a Tarzan rope set up off to the shadier side of the plunge pool to its left, where it was possible to cross the river and scramble up to its elevated swing off point.

When we showed up in the late morning, we happened to catch a faint rainbow in its mist, and we shared this place with two other couples.

So it didn’t feel busy nor crowded at all, but we did visit on a weekday so I should caveat that statement since I’m sure this place would be way busier on the weekends or holidays.

After having our fill of the Tataki Falls, we went back the way we came while being careful to remember the obstacles that we encountered so as to not make the return hike any harder than it was.

Tataki_006_iPhone_11272024 - The wide open head of the gorge containing the Tataki Falls and its plunge pool, which you might be able to tell was aided by the long log and some stacked rocks that acted as a sort of dam to deepen it
The wide open head of the gorge containing the Tataki Falls and its plunge pool, which you might be able to tell was aided by the long log and some stacked rocks that acted as a sort of dam to deepen it

When we returned, we wound up spending just over 2 hours away from the car so we did have to pay the extra 50 yen above the two-hour base cost of 500 yen.

But then again, these were modest costs (especially when you consider the very weakened yen compared to the US dollar as of our visit in late 2024).

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that this excursion used to be free and a rather wild excursion (which some of the internet literature that’s outdated still reflects).

However, the infrastructure regarding the car park and signage was completed in 2016, and even as of our late 2024 visit, there was still some construction going on around the river entry point.

Tataki_066_jx_11272024 - Heading back in the Henan River as we tried to make sure we tackled the same obstacles as on the way in (instead of making the adventure harder by tackling new, unfamiliar obstacles)
Heading back in the Henan River as we tried to make sure we tackled the same obstacles as on the way in (instead of making the adventure harder by tackling new, unfamiliar obstacles)

So it’s possible that by the time you visit this waterfall, there could be more changes seeking to improve access or to provide more amenities than what’s already there.

Authorities

Tataki Falls resides between Nago City and the village of Ogimi on Okinawa Island in the Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It may be administered by the local authorities of Ogimi Village. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting the official Ta-taki Falls website.

Tataki_006_11262024 - Looking back at the entrance and equipment/rental shack as we started to walk towards the Tataki Falls
Tataki_008_11262024 - The initial 300m or so involved walking along the continuation of the access road in an upstream direction towards the Tataki Falls
Tataki_010_11262024 - Julie and Tahia continuing along the access road en route to the entry point for the Henan River en route to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_011_11262024 - Close-up look at some kind of interesting leaf at the end of a plant growing by the access road we had walked to access the Henan River and eventually the Tataki Falls
Tataki_012_11262024 - The access road following alongside the branch of the Henan River responsible for the Tataki Falls
Tataki_014_11262024 - Julie and Tahia continuing to walk along the paved road to the entry point of the branch of the Henan River responsible for the Tataki Falls
Tataki_016_11262024 - Tahia and Julie leaving the access road and about to enter the branch of the Henan River responsible for the Tataki Falls
Tataki_020_11262024 - Almost immediately after leaving the access road, we found ourselves wading in the Henan River
Tataki_026_11262024 - In the initial 400m of the river trek, the riverbed was wide enough for the water to only be no more than shin deep if we chose our crossings wisely
Tataki_028_11262024 - Of course, since this part of the river was wide, there were plenty of dry hiking stretches so that helped to speed things up a bit on our approach to Tataki Falls
Tataki_035_11262024 - Here's one river crossing stretch, where we had to choose wisely to avoid this deep part, where the guy on the right had contemplated doing before realizing that we had chosen the better way to go
Tataki_036_11262024 - Julie and Tahia continuing to wade through the river around some deadfall obstacles as the conditions are sure to change from day-to-day in this river adventure to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_037_11262024 - Another dry hiking stretch of the Henan River before having to go right back into the river en route to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_040_11262024 - Julie and Tahia going past a warning sign, which I felt marked the point where the river trek became a bit narrower and more hazardous en route to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_042_11262024 - Tahia and Julie crossing the Henan River towards a rope that was put there to help assist on a climb to get around a cascade and plunge pool obstacle en route to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_045_11262024 - Tahia using the rope to get up over this climbing obstacle above the Henan River to get around a cascade and plunge pool obstacle
Tataki_047_11262024 - Tahia and Julie continuing to scramble over some rocks and deadfall trees to continue past the cascade and plunge pool obstacle en route to Tataki Falls
Tataki_048_11262024 - Looking back at the context of the rope climb that we had just done as another couple was about to figure out that they're likely going to want to go up this same way to continue to Tataki Falls
Tataki_049_11262024 - Looking back over the cascade and deep plunge pool obstacle that we had to climb around to avoid a swim and tricky climb en route to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_051_11262024 - Tahia and Julie continuing to scramble alongside the flow of the Henan River until we had no choice but to wade through
Tataki_063_11262024 - Julie and Tahia approaching the next deep obstacle that we had to maneuver around in the Henan River en route to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_066_11262024 - Tahia and Julie still continuing up the Henan River en route to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_068_11262024 - Tahia and Julie navigating through more tricky, slippery rocky slopes as we made our way closer to the Tataki Falls
Tataki_072_11262024 - Julie and Tahia negotiating a few more rocky obstacles as we were approaching the final bend before the Tataki Falls
Tataki_073_11262024 - closeup look at Tahia going over one of the obstacles just before the final bend before the Tataki Falls
Tataki_075_11262024 - Our first look at the Tataki Falls
Tataki_086_11262024 - Noticing a slight rainbow in the mist at the base of the Tataki Falls
Tataki_091_11262024 - Noticing some rope swings set up in the far left side of the plunge pool before the Tataki Falls
Tataki_018_iPhone_11272024 - Tahia sitting on a log with Julie behind her while checking out Tataki Falls
Tataki_115_11262024 - Another couple that showed up after us decided to go for a swim before the Tataki Falls
Tataki_122_11262024 - Julie starting to make her way back from the Tataki Falls after having our fill
Tataki_126_11262024 - Tahia and Julie scrambling around when we realized that we had not gone the way we came in and had to backtrack to get around this obstacle to continue going downstream along the Henan River back to the car park
Tataki_130_11262024 - Julie and Tahia continuing downstream as we made our way back to the car park from the Tataki Falls
Tataki_141_11262024 - Tahia doing more scrambling as we made our way back from the Tataki Falls
Tataki_142_11262024 - Tahia carefully going backwards on the rope-assisted obstacle on our way back from the Tataki Falls
Tataki_149_11262024 - A couple that had passed us after having done their swim on their way back from the Tataki Falls
Tataki_158_11262024 - Making it back onto the access road after having left the Henan River and on the final stretch back to the car park
Tataki_065_jx_11272024 - Tahia and I continuing to negotiate obstacles on our way back downstream along the Henan River towards the car park after having our fill of the Tataki Falls
Tataki_070_jx_11272024 - An interesting butterfly that we noticed while making our way back from the Tataki Falls


Tataki Falls is located between the village of Ogimi and Nago City in the north of Okinawa Island.

Since we were staying in Sesoko Island, I’ll describe how we managed to drive to the waterfall from the Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort.

Drive_to_Tataki_017_jx_11272024 - Driving the coastal Route 505 to reach the Route 58 as we went from Sesoko/Motobu towards the Tataki Falls
Driving the coastal Route 505 to reach the Route 58 as we went from Sesoko/Motobu towards the Tataki Falls

So from the Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort, we drove for about 3km back towards the main island (crossing the Sesoko Bridge) to regain the National Route 449.

From there, we turned left and then turned right onto the Route 84 (either via the Route 219 or directly on the Route 84 another 1.6km later).

Once on the 84, we then drove it for about 6.4km before turning left onto the Route 123, where we took this route for nearly 4km to a three-way junction.

Turning right at this three-way junction onto the Route 505, we then followed this coastal road for a little over 6km to its junction with the National Route 58.

Drive_to_Tataki_042_jx_11272024 - After leaving the Route 58, we followed the signs on the local access roads as they directed us to the Tataki Falls
After leaving the Route 58, we followed the signs on the local access roads as they directed us to the Tataki Falls

Then, we turned left onto the Route 58 and followed this road for about 6km to a signed turnoff for the Tataki Waterfall on the right.

From there, we followed a local road for about 300m as we went past the Shikuwasa Park.

Next, we followed the signs directing us to turn right and follow the next stretch of local road for about 600m before turning right at the next fork signed for Tataki Falls.

Finally, we followed this access road for about the remaining 800-900m before reaching the Tataki Falls car park entrance kiosk.

Tataki_002_11262024 - The pretty spacious car park and equipment/rental shed for the Tataki Falls
The pretty spacious car park and equipment/rental shed for the Tataki Falls

Overall, this drive took us about 55 minutes.

For some geographical context, Ogimi was about 25km (over 30 minutes drive) northeast of Nago, about 26km (over 30 minutes drive) east of Nakijin, about 34km (about an hour drive) east of Motobu, about 74km (about 90 minutes drive) northeast of Chatan, and 93km (about 90-120 minutes drive) northeast of Naha (the difference depends on whether or not you take the toll motorway).

Find A Place To Stay

Left to right sweep of the falls from within the spray zone before moving over to the shade for a more angled look at the falls away from the spray zone


Brief L-shaped right to left panning of the falls before doing a zoomed in examination from the bottom up of the falls itself


Right to left L-shaped sweep from around the rope swing while revealing a rainbow at the waterfall's base

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Tagged with: tsuha, ogimi village, kunigami, okinawa, okinawa waterfalls, japan, river scramble, stream scramble, ta-taki, tributary of henan river, tataki stream, ta-taki stream



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Johnny Cheng

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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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