Hottai Falls, Natural monument and waterfall in Yurihonjo, Japan

Hottai Falls is a waterfall on the Akasawa River in the Chokai foothills of Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture, at about 450 m elevation. It drops in three steps: 13 m, 2.4 m and 42 m, with a width of 3 to 30 m. The main drop falls into a small pool joined from the west by the Shimotamata stream.

The waterfall takes its name from a Buddhist tradition linked to the monk Kukai in the 9th century. Historical records from the 17th century already documented this location under a related name.

The name refers to Kukai, the monk who founded Shingon Buddhism: while visiting a local village, Fudo Myoo appeared to him and he bowed to the falls. A 1697 map records the site as "Hotsutaishi no taki", an older form of the name.

A campsite of 17,000 m² faces the falls; a footbridge crosses the Koyoshi there, and a path runs along the river's north bank. By car it is about 45 minutes from Yajima Station on the Chokai-Sanroku Line. An autumn festival is held at the falls during the October foliage season.

The site received official protection status as both a scenic area and natural monument, a dual designation that sets it apart. This special recognition reflects how important the waterfall is considered to the local environment.