Tendaki Falls

Located in Oyacho, Yabu City in Hyogo, Tendaki Falls is the foremost famed cascade of the Tajima region, with a drop of 98 meters. The sight of a single white column of water sliding down the rock face is breathtaking, and the falls are counted among the finest hundred waterfalls of Japan. Together with Saruodaki and Kirigataki, they are called the Three Famed Falls of Tajima, set within a valley full of cleansing negative ions that seem to wash the heart of every visitor. Fed by the clear waters of the Maruyama River system, it is a signature landscape of the Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park.

Walking the trail from the valley entrance to the falls, cascades large and small appear one after another, including Meotodaki, Tsutsumigataki, and Itodaki, offering the experience of walking through a corridor of waterfalls.

Highlights

• The power of the main fall, dropping like white silk over a 98-meter face
• The chain of cascades such as Meotodaki, Tsutsumigataki, and Itodaki along the valley
• Pure valley scenery chosen among the hundred finest forest-bathing woods
• The rich nature of the Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park

Enjoying the Seasons

In the season of fresh greenery the valley is wrapped in vivid green, and in summer it bustles with visitors seeking cool relief. The Tendaki Festival is held in April. Autumn dyes the valley red and yellow, making a fine contrast with the falls, and a foliage festival is held in November. In winter the cascade can take on a fantastical form covered in snow and ice, so each season shows a different face.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Ikada, Oyacho, Yabu City, Hyogo
• Access by car: About 60 minutes on foot along the trail from the parking area at the valley entrance
• Access by public transport: From Yoka Station on the JR Sanin Main Line, transfer among Zentan buses and get off at Tendaki-guchi. Yoka Station is about 150 minutes from Shin-Osaka or Osaka by the Limited Express Kounotori
• Hours: Open freely for viewing, with care for snow in winter
• Admission: Free

Practical Travel Notes

The falls are about 60 minutes uphill one way on a mountain trail, so allow two to three hours for the round trip and viewing combined. Easy clothing and sneakers or trekking shoes are essential. The fresh-green and autumn-foliage seasons are especially popular, with peak color usually around November. Bears can appear in these mountain areas, so carrying a bell is a wise precaution. Pairing the visit with Saruodaki in Kami Town, another of the Three Famed Falls of Tajima, or with nearby hot springs, is a fine plan. Entry is free, with costs limited to transport and parking.

A Quick Tip

The trail is a mountain path along the stream, so wear non-slip shoes. Since it is about 60 minutes one way, bring water and plan with time to spare.

📚 Sources

For Tendaki Falls, the tourism information of Yabu City and the on-site guidance introducing the Three Famous Waterfalls of Tajima are reliable references. Its standing among Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls and Top 100 Forest-Bathing Forests, and the nature of the Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park, can be confirmed through this public information and on-site signboards. The dates of the Tendaki festival and the autumn-leaves festival and bus services may change, so please confirm the official information of Yabu City and transport operators before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Approximate time needed: The falls are about a 60-minute uphill mountain path one way, so allow roughly 2 to 3 hours for the round trip and viewing.
• What to bring and prepare: Easy-to-move clothing and sneakers or trekking shoes are essential. Bring drinks, and a bell as a bear deterrent is reassuring in the mountains. Entry is free, with costs limited to transport and parking.
• Suggested route: Walk the trail from the parking lot at the Tendaki Valley entrance, heading to the main falls while viewing the Meoto, Tsuzumigataki and Ito falls along the way, following the flow described in the article. Pairing with Saruodaki, another of the three famous Tajima falls, or nearby hot springs is also recommended.