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Ryuzu Waterfall

4.2 (200)Tourist AttractionHiking AreaNational ParkParkSports Activity LocationPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Ryuzu Waterfall is a natural marvel in Nikko National Park. The name “Ryuzu,” meaning “Dragon’s Head,” comes from the way the water cascades down, splitting over a 210-meter-long lava flow, forming what looks like a dragon’s head. This unique formation occurred due to ancient volcanic activity from Mount Nantai, which has shaped the landscape for centuries.

Ryuzu is one of the first waterfalls along the Yukawa River, which originates from Lake Yunoko. The water from the falls eventually flows into Lake Chuzenji, creating a connection between these natural sites. Ryuzu is smaller compared to nearby Kegon Waterfall, but its charm lies in its accessibility and the close-up view it offers.

Autumn is the peak time for visiting Ryuzu Waterfall. The area around the falls is surrounded by dense maple forests, and when the leaves change color, the scene becomes a spectacular display of red, orange, and yellow. This seasonal beauty attracts photographers and nature lovers who seek to capture the vivid landscape.


Hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Phone
+81 288-22-1525

The area

Address
Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Ryuzu Waterfall

You can walk along the staircase path parallel to Ryuzu Falls, offering stunning views of the cascading water throughout the journey. The scenery becomes even more breathtaking during the autumn season with vibrant foliage enhancing the experience. The path consists mostly of stairs, so it requires some effort, but the rewarding views make it well worth the climb. A must-visit spot for nature lovers!
This is the one of the waterfalls in the area where you can see more of, but I would say it's mostly a river or a waterfall on a flatter hill. The end is behind a shop near the bus stop which people can easily miss, and you can hike up a little to see more of it. Overall, an ok scenic view.
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Darren Yang
Nov 19, 2024
Beautiful place. Parking costs 500 yen on the bottom of the waterfall, on the top its free, just make sure you have good knees for the way up😅
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Zohar Kuperman
Oct 17, 2024
Not super exciting. Nice to look at with a cafe attached to the viewing platform. There's also a path up the right-hand side with additional spots to watch the flowing water
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Jesse Taylor
Dec 2, 2024
Low effort, high reward kinda view. It’s quite therapeutic to see 2 falls! Didn’t cost me anything to walk over to see, and there’s a great hike right behind the cafe!
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WY Lee
Nov 1, 2024


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