Chagama Falls, Natural waterfall in Kazuno, Japan
Chagama Falls drops about 100 metres in a single vertical column on the Yoakeshima River, a tributary of the Yoneshiro River, in the Hachimantai district of Kazuno, Akita Prefecture. It is one of the tallest falls on Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls list, published by the Ministry of the Environment in 1990.
This waterfall was included in Japan's official Top 100 Waterfalls list published by the Ministry of Environment in 1990. This recognition brought attention to the site as a notable natural location in the region.
The name Chagama means "tea kettle", though the sources give no origin story for it. The falls are counted among the three hardest of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls to reach, alongside Futomon Falls in Nara and Goraiko Falls in Ehime. On 24 September 2020 a woman heading for the falls was injured by falling rock; rescuers took five hours to find her.
Reaching this spot requires a challenging hike of several kilometers over rough and uneven ground. Visitors should bring proper hiking gear and be prepared for a strenuous walk.
This waterfall sits in a remote section of the Hachimantai district, far from typical hiking trails and tourist paths. This isolation makes it a rare discovery for nature lovers seeking untouched wilderness.
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