Waterfalls of Tsuwano

There is a waterfall in the Machida area of Tsuwano. Called “Narutaki falls”, the water drops about 16 meters. The water from this waterfall is exremely clean, so the residents of nearby areas such as Takinomae, Machida, Nakacho and Yokobori drink the water.
A long time ago, there was a Monju-do Hall and Shugen temple called the Joju-in, but in 1913, when Satoharu drew this, the Kotohira Shrine existed. This waterfall was also called “Niodo Falls”. A large number of bats live in caves near the falls. 

How to go there: The Narutaki Falls in not too far away from the old town, close to the Ougai MORI’s museum. It is about 20 minutes from the old town (maybe 35 from the station), it is a good walk, or we usually recommend a rental bicycle.
The GPS position of the waterfall is 34.458581, 131.772257 (or 34°27’30.9″N 131°46’20.1″E) and for the the link to a Google map click here. 

Shiraito (White thread) Falls is located in Takatamura area (now called Takamine area) of Tsuwano. When there is a large volume of water, the water falls over the projecting rocks directly into the warefall basin, just like unraveling thread. That is said to be origin of the name. Also, according to legend, when poet Izumi Shikibu gave birth to Koshikibu at nearby Shigoyabu, she used water from the falls for her baby’s first bath. The domain lord likely visited the falls on occasion to enjoy the coolness. The left side of the illustration shows a group of samurai viewing the falls. The one sitting on the folding stool is thought to be the domain lord. This is the few drawings that show the domain lord in person. Also, when you visit the waterfall, you can imagine walking in the steps of the lords of the past.

How to go there: The Shiraito Falls is in Tsuwano, close to the Washibara Hachimangu Horse Archery grounds. It is quite a hike from the station, would take about 40-45 minutes, thus taxi or rental bicycle is recommended.
The GPS position of the waterfall is 34.4538175, 131.7415242 (or 34°27’13.7″N 131°44’29.5″E) and for the the link to a Google map click here. It is difficult to find, a guide is recommended.

On the way from the castle town of Tsuwano to the Nichihara District, there is an area called Otada. In these mountains, there is a narrow valley and a stream that produces two warefalls: Ontaki Falls and Mentaki Falls. In the Hyakkeizu, the waterfall that is on the near side of the footpath in On Falls. When you look up at the water falling from overhead, it seems as if you could catch it. As if white thread is stretching from red rocks, the flow is beautiful. 

How to go there: This water fall is a bit out of the town, towards Masuda, in the vicinity of Nichihara area (part of Tsuwano town). It is only accessible with a car or a taxi, and the road leading up to the stream might be difficult to find. It takes about 25 minutes from Tsuwano to the parking space, and another 10 minutes up to the waterfall.
The !!approximate!! GPS position of the waterfall is 34.514258, 131.841778 (or 34°30’51.3″N 131°50’30.4″E) and for the the link to a Google map click here. It is difficult to find the waterfall, a guide is highly recommended.

On the back side of the footpath is Mentaki Falls. It was a place that Lord Oki-no-kami Koremi often visited for pleasure, wrote Satoharu. As if sliding down toward you on a slope, the water of Mentaki Falls can be seen up close. The thick, white water is impressive. It is rare to have such contrasting waterfalls so close together. Including this view, waterfalls are depicted in four view of the Hyakkeizu, which may provide a hint as to how much the domain lord loved waterfalls.

How to go there: This water fall is a bit out of the town, towards Masuda, in the vicinity of Nichihara area (part of Tsuwano town). It is only accessible with a car or a taxi, and the road leading up to the stream might be difficult to find. It takes about 25 minutes from Tsuwano to the parking space, and another 10 minutes up to the waterfall.
The !!approximate!! GPS position of the waterfall is 34.5126471,131.8411321 (or 34°30’45.5″N 131°50’28.1″E) and for the the link to a Google map click here. It is difficult to find the waterfall, a guide is highly recommended.