Map
Fukiware Falls is a waterfall on the upper Katashina River in Numata, Gunma Prefecture, about 30 m wide with a 7 m drop. The river has eroded welded tuff, formed when a pyroclastic flow from a volcanic eruption about 9 million years ago cooled and hardened, and the water pours down from three directions in a spectacular scene that has earned it the nickname 'Niagara of the East.' It was designated a National Natural Monument and Place of Scenic Beauty in 1936.
Nature Info
- Type
- Waterfall
- Elevation
- Drop of 7m, width of 30m (upper Katashina River)
- Access
- About 45 minutes by Kan-etsu Kotsu bus from JR Numata Station; get off at the "Fukiware no Taki" bus stop
History & Origins
Fukiware Falls has long been known to local people and appears in Edo-period pictorial maps. It was designated a National Natural Monument and Place of Scenic Beauty on December 16, 1936, and became a subject of nature conservation. In recent years it has been developed as a tourist destination under the slogan 'Niagara of the East,' and draws many visitors throughout the year.
Highlights
The 'Fukiware Gorge Promenade' around the falls lets you feel the roar and force of the water up close. Downstream, 'Masutobi Falls' (8 m drop, 6 m wide) can be enjoyed along with groups of odd-shaped rocks such as Hannya-iwa and Shishi-iwa. The falls are especially powerful when the water is high.
Visitor Guide
Parts of the promenade run along the edge of the falls, and some sections have no fence, so watch your step. The falls are about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, and there is no admission fee. The Oigami Onsen hot spring area is nearby, and combining the visit with an overnight stay is popular.
Best Season
The fresh green of May to June and the autumn foliage of October to November are especially beautiful, with the white water contrasting with the trees of the gorge.
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