If you plan to visit Takeda Castle Ruins by car and enjoy hiking, there is a spot in Yabu City that you can visit on the same day. Tendaki Falls (天滝), with a height of 98 meters, is the best waterfall in Hyōgo Prefecture and one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls! If you are coming to Japan to enjoy the stunning nature, this waterfall, which is surrounded by rich nature, is the perfect choice. One thing to note is that due to heavy snow in the area, Tendaki Falls would not be accessible in winter.
Getting to the Tendaki Falls from the Trailhead
From the trailhead (left photo) to Tendaki Falls, it is around a 30 to 50-minute walk. If you plan to drive, there is a car park with a capacity of 15 cars at the trailhead. On weekends and public holidays, the car park will probably be full from late morning.
The second closest car park is at the Resthouse Tendaki (レストハウス天滝), which has double the capacity of the one at the trailhead.
If you plan to take a bus, the bus stop, Tendakiguchi (天滝口), is around a 10-minute walk from the resthouse.
On the way to Tendaki Falls, a couple of small yet gorgeous waterfalls are the entrees to the main dish, Tendaki Falls.
The trail along the river flowing in Tendaki Valley (天滝渓谷) (right photo) is quite narrow, so trek carefully to avoid falling into the river!
Among numerous waterfalls in Tendaki Valley, seven waterfalls were named due to their unique shapes.
The Meotodaki Falls (夫婦滝) is one of them.
If the signboards weren’t stolen by one of the previous hikers, they would be there for you as a reminder to pay attention to the waterfall close by (^_-)-☆.
The Best Spots to Adore Tendaki Falls and the Area’s Fall Foliage Season
To get a view of Tendaki Falls similar to the photo to the right, you must climb a set of stairs leading to the observatory. You can get even closer to the waterfall by venturing out from the observatory. But please be careful at all times!
It goes without saying that Tendaki Falls receives the most visitors during the autumn foliage season. Along the Tendaki Valley, the color usually peaks from early to mid-November. Around the trailhead, it starts a bit later, around mid-November.
The promenade doesn’t just stop at Tendaki Falls. You can trek to Tawara-ishi Rock (俵石) and then all the way to Sugigasawa Plateau (杉ヶ沢高原) for a great view of Mt Hyōno (氷ノ山) and the surrounding magnificent nature!
Tawara-ishi Rock (俵石)
If you choose to trek to Tawara-ishi Rock from Tendaki Falls, it is an 800-meter hike through steep slopes.
The shape of the basalt there was formed more than 2.4 million years ago. Named Tawara-ishi, it looks like bales that are neatly stacked.
As Tawara-ishi isn’t marked on Google Maps, HERE is a visual map of the attraction’s location.
What to Bring and What to Watch Out for
- Decent trekking shoes
- Hiking poles
- Long pants are essential because of leeches and insects
How to Get to Tendaki Falls by Public Transport
- From JR Yōka Station (八鹿駅), take the Zantan Bus (全但バス), and get off at Ōya (大屋). From there, change to the bus bound for Wakasugi (若杉), and get off at Tendakiguchi (天滝口).
- You can use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
- In November, on weekends and public holidays, sightseeing buses called Tajimawaru Tendaki Momiji-gō (たじまわる天滝もみじ号) depart from JR Wadayama Station (和田山駅) at 10:40 am.
- For more information, you can translate THIS PAGE using the Google Chrome’s translation function on the right of the address bar.
- It is a one-day tour, so the bus will also stop by a few other nearby attractions.
- Please note that it is a Japanese-language tour
- The tour/bus fare is 500 yen, payable when you board the bus.
Discover the Natural Wonders in Yabu City
Yabu City, where Akenobe Mine is located, isn’t just about mining. It is actually a destination filled with the beauty of nature!
If you love to be surrounded by magnificent natural scenery, check out our article on Yabu City!
