Akiu Ōtaki Falls (秋保大滝), also known as the Akiu Great Falls (or simply Akiu Falls), is the must-see spot in Akiu Onsen. The 55-meter-tall waterfall is just spectacular, no matter which season you visit. It was thus chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls and designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
How to Best Explore Akiu Great Falls and Futakuchi Gorge
Saikōji Temple (西光寺)
If you plan to take a bus to Akiu Great Falls, you will first encounter Saikoji Temple after you get off the bus. The temple that is commonly known as Akiu Ōtaki Fudōson (秋保大滝不動尊) offers a peaceful atmosphere where ancient architecture meets the raw power of nature. Before the roaring 55-meter waterfall is in front of you, you will first be impressed by the size of the towering ginkgo tree in the temple’s precinct!
For more information, refer to our article on Saikoji!
From Saikoji to Akiu Great Falls’ Observation Deck
At the back of Saikoji Temple, you will find the passageway that leads to Akiu Great Falls’ observation deck, where we took the photo on Instagram. The observation area isn’t big. Thus, if you visit Akiu Onsen on a weekend or a public holiday, Akiu Great Falls’ observation deck might be packed.
Hiking Down to Akiu Falls’ Water Basin
You can hike down the 800-meter promenade to the waterfall basin from the observatory deck. However, while the ample amount of negative ions during this trip will certainly give you some health benefits, the staircases are pretty steep, and you can get wet as you approach the waterfall. So please walk carefully to avoid falling straight down…
To head down to the waterfall basin, pass the stone Torii gate shown in the 3rd photo in the Instagram post above. The gate is very close to Akiu Otaki Falls’ observatory, shown in the 1st photo on Instagram. It is right by walking at the side of the motor road from Saikōji Temple/Akiu Ōtaki Fudōson.
Akiu Ōtaki Fall’s Fall and Winter Season
- Akiu Ōtaki Fall’s autumn starts in late October and peaks in early November. As the waterfall is a renowned spot for its fall color, try to avoid weekends and public holidays to avoid crowds.
- For icefall scenery, visit Akiu Great Fall in January and February. The view is equally magnificent!
How to Get From Sendai to Akiu Great Fall
Please refer to the “How to Get to Akiu Onsen” session in our Akiu Onsen article. Whether you plan to take Miyagi Kōtsū or Sendai City Bus, get off at Akiu Ōtaki (秋保大滝).
Tip: You can source some fresh local produce and/or a plate of pasta or pizza from Ōtaki Rest House (大滝れすとはうす) at the entrance of Akiu Ōtaki Fudōson in the photo.
Akiu Ōtaki Botanical Garden (秋保大滝植物園)
West of Akiu Ōtaki Falls, the Akiu Otaki Botanical Garden is filled with around 900 different types of plants. Flowers like azalea, rhododendron, water lily, and fall foliage decorate the garden’s ground throughout the year. Unlike the mighty Akiu Ōtaki Falls, the garden offers a peaceful, calm ambience.
From Akiu Otaki Botanical Garden, you can also see two waterfalls situated in the Futaguchi Gorge (二口峡谷). The Sudare Falls (すだれ滝) and Mizore Falls (みぞれ滝) are less magnificent than the Akiu Great Falls, but each has its charms!
If you visit Akiu Otaki Botanical Garden from late June to early July, you will find many tadpoles in the garden’s lakes. You might even spot some frogs around!
Tips:
☛ The required time to explore Akiu Ōtaki Botanical Garden is around 60 to 90 minutes.
☛ Rhododendron Festival (シャクナゲふれあいまつり) is held in May, whereas the Autumn Festival (あったか・ほっこり秋保大滝植物園まつり) is held in November.
Akiu Ōtaki Botanical Garden’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Akiu Ōtaki Botanical Garden is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm from April to November.
- The last admission is at 4 pm.
- The admission fee is
- 240 yen for adults
- 180 yen for senior high school and university students
- 120 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- The garden’s access information is the same as Akiu Ōtaki Falls.
Tip: Free entry to Akiu Otaki Botanical Garden on May 4 and November 3!
Futakuchi Gorge (二口峡谷)
Traveling further west from Akiu Ōtaki Botanical Garden, another scenic spot awaits.
The 8-km Futakuchi Gorge stretches as far as the prefectural border between Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures. A 2 km natural trail along the gorge is well-maintained for you to walk on.
And the highlights? The Anetaki Falls (姉滝) is a designated National Natural Monument. Whilst not marked on Google Maps, there is an Imōtotaki Falls (妹滝) just in front of the Anetaki Falls.
Important: It is possible to reach Anetaki Falls by car via the Forest Road Futakuchi Line (林道二口線). However, please be aware of the narrow road. This method may not be recommended for inexperienced drivers.
Banji-iwa (磐司岩), a designated National Place of Scenery Beauty, is the most magnificent part of the entire Futakuchi Gorge. It is a tuff rock wall with a maximum height of 150 meters and stretches over 3 km long!
Tip: Visit Banji-iwa Observatory (磐司岩展望所) during sunset for the breathtaking scenery – the rock surface is dyed red by the setting sun.
Regarding the rock’s name and origin, according to urban legend, Banji was a hunter’s name who hunted in the area. The mountain’s guardian god is referred to as Banji by the locals as well.
Besides the waterfalls and strangely shaped rocks, another charm of Futakuchi Gorge is the variety of plants and animals. If you are lucky, you might be able to spot Japanese macaques or Japanese serow in the forest. Although it is harder to spot birds in the dense forest, it is likely that you can still hear their songs (*´ω｀).
Futakuchi Gorge’s upstream is situated within the Zaō Quasi-National Park (蔵王国定公園). The mid and downstream belong to Futakuchi Kyōkoku Prefectural Natural Park (県立自然公園二口峡谷), which is where the 2 km hiking trail is located. Akiu Ōtaki Falls, Rairaikyō Gorge, and Akiu Onsen Town are located further down the Natori River (名取川), flowing through the gorge.
Futakuchi Gorge’s Fall Foliage Season
Autumn colour usually peaks in late October at Futakuchi Gorge.
How to Get to Futakuchi Gorge
From Akiu Ōtaki Falls, take the Sendai City Bus bound for Futakuchi (二口行き) and get off at Futakuchi (二口). From the bus stop, itis about a 15-minute walk to the trailhead.
Important:
☛ The 2 km promenade consists of earthen roads, so hiking shoes are recommended!
☛ The Forest Road Futakuchi Line (林道二口線) is closed from November to March.
Tip: There are toilet facilities at Sendai-shi Akiu Visitor Center (仙台市秋保ビジターセンター).
Discover Other Fantastic Attractions in Akiu Onsen
If you want to visit a hot spring town in the Tōhoku region, Akiu Onsen in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, has to be one of your top choices. Not only is this one of the top three hot spring towns in northeastern Japan, but two past Japanese emperors also loved it. This was how it earned the title of Nihon San Miyu, a name bestowed on only three onsen towns by Emperor Juntoku in the early 13th century!
If the above sounds enticing, refer to our Akiu Onsen article to plan your visit!
