早滝, Waterfall in Kanna, Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Haya Taki is a waterfall on the Shiozawa River in Kanna, Gunma Prefecture, formed by the stream flowing down Mount Akakunawa. It is a straight drop of roughly 30 to 40 metres at an elevation of about 900 metres. In winter it freezes into an ice fall that begins growing around late December and is at its fullest in February; in the coldest years the whole cascade solidifies.

Haya Taki is a direct-drop waterfall on the Shiozawa River, which drains Mount Akakunazawa. Because the fall sits at about 900 m, it freezes in winter: ice begins forming around late December and reaches its fullest extent in February, when the whole fall can solidify. The surrounding geology is Jurassic mélange, so white siliceous and green and red metamorphic rocks colour the riverbed.

Access requires driving on narrow roads with limited parking near the trailhead. The walk uphill includes steep sections with chains, and the path can be icy and slippery during winter months.

The riverbed below the falls is made of Jurassic mélange: white siliceous rock and green and red metamorphic stones lie mixed together, colouring the streambed. A small roughly 2 m cascade sits just before the plunge pool and must be climbed to reach it; going around on the right is unsafe because the slope crumbles and rocks fall.