Venturing out into nature and watching the seasons change is an important part of Japanese culture, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the country has a list of the 100 best waterfalls in all of Japan’s 47 prefectures! Only one of those 100 beautiful waterfalls is in Hiroshima Prefecture, a spot called Josei Falls, and travelers will find it right here in the city of Miyoshi. It’s a must-see destination on a gorgeous hike in the mountains.
Josei Falls streams down the rocks in a series of silky cascades from a peak of 126 meters (413 ft) up the mountainside, a height that puts it on the same scale as Kegon Falls in Tochigi and Nachi Falls in Wakayama, two of Japan’s most famous waterfalls. But the glistening black rock and white waters lend Josei Falls its own uniquely famed beauty, and Hiroshima Prefecture has even designated the spot an official place of scenic beauty.
Geologists say that the water first sprung over the cliffs’ volcanic rock back in the Cretaceous Period, but the names used for the waterfall have naturally come about a little more recently. These days, while the waterfall in its entirety is called Josei Falls (or 常清滝/Joseidaki, in Japanese), it’s also split into three separately named sections. The swiftly rushing water up top is called Aranami (荒波), which means raging waves, whereas the calmer middle portion is referred to as Shiraito (白糸), white threads. Down at the bottom, the name Tamamizu (玉水) describes the clear droplets of pure water falling from the cliffs.
Throughout the seasons, the fresh greenery turns to colorful autumn leaves, and is eventually covered in blankets of soft white snow, making it a beautiful spot to visit throughout the year. Interested hikers can take the path down to the base of the falls to see the water crashing over the rocks from down below, or venture over to the viewing platform to admire the scenery from higher up. Even the convenient parking lot leads right to an easy walking path along the river, so each visitor can enjoy the beautiful Miyoshi scenery at their own pace!
Information
| Title | Josei Falls (常清滝) |
| Address | Sakugicho, Shimosakugi, Miyoshi |
