Mariyudu Falls, Waterfall in Uehara, Iriomote Island, Japan
Mariyudu Falls is a waterfall on Iriomote Island that descends in two distinct tiers through subtropical forest. The water flows across a wide rock face and collects in a large round basin at the base.
The name comes from the local Iriomote language, where Mari refers to round shapes and Yudu means areas of still water. This naming reflects the distinctive round basin that forms where the water collects.
The waterfall holds a position in Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls list and represents the natural heritage of the Yaeyama Islands region.
You can reach this waterfall by taking a sightseeing boat along the Urauchi River, followed by a roughly 40-minute walk through forest trails. The path requires moderate fitness and can be slippery, especially in wet conditions.
This waterfall carries the largest water volume in Okinawa Prefecture and creates a powerful spray zone around the basin. Rarely, the endangered Iriomote Wild Cat has been spotted in the surrounding forests near the falls.
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