Ryuzu Yaedaki Waterfalls, Waterfall group in Unnan, Shimane, Japan

Ryuzu Yaedaki Waterfalls is the collective name for two waterfall groups in Kakeya, Unnan, Shimane: Ryuzu Falls in the Matsukasa district and Yaedaki, about 5.5 km southeast in the Iruma district. Ryuzu Falls has a 40 m male drop with a cave behind it and a stepped female drop; Yaedaki comprises eight cascades, the main one 40 m high.

The name Ryuzu Yaedaki covers two sites in Kakeya, Unnan: Ryuzugataki in the Matsukasa district and Yaedaki, about 5.5 km southeast in the Iruma district. A legend holds that the mare Iketsuki, ridden by Sasaki Takatsuna at the Uji River in the Jokyu War, was born at Ryuzugataki. Both falls lie within the Ryuzu Yaedaki Prefectural Natural Park, and the combined site was chosen for Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.

The name Ryuzu comes from a legend that the famous horse Ikezuki, ridden by Sasaki Takatsuna at the Battle of Uji River during the Jokyu War, was born here and presented to the capital. The male falls drop 40 meters into a cave where Kannon is enshrined, and visitors can walk behind the water. The Meiji-era poet Omachi Keigetsu wrote that among all falls in Izumo, Ryuzu Falls ranks first and would be within the top ten even in Nikko.

The two groups lie about 5.5 km apart: Ryuzugataki in the Matsukasa district, Yaedaki in the Irima district. For Ryuzugataki, leave Shimane Route 39 at the sign, follow the Takiya River branch 3 km south to a car park by a house, then walk about 350 m. For Yaedaki, turn off National Route 54 at the sign, go 1 km to the car park, then follow the stream path 1,100 m to Yashio-Yashio Falls, roughly 35 minutes one way.

The upper section of the main Yaedaki fall is called Yashio and the lower section Yashio-no-shio, so a single 40 m drop carries two names. Giant salamanders live in the streams around both the Ryuzu and Yaedaki falls.