Guidebook
Lonely Planet Japan
Lonely Planet · 2024
The 18th edition covers Nikko, the Kii Peninsula and Ibaraki, so one book handles Kegon, Nachi and Fukuroda.
Japan · Hokuto
Kitashōji Falls
Kitashōji Falls is a waterfall in northern Yamanashi Prefecture Japan, on the Ishiutoro River, an upper tributary of the Fuji River. It is located in the Minami Alps National Park, in the city of Hokuto.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Kitashōji Falls drops 35 metres (115 ft) on the Ishiutoro River, inside Minami Alps National Park. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Nirasaki, Japan. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Kitashōji Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Nirasaki are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotographyWildlife & safari
When to go
Getting there
- Base town Nirasaki, Japan
- Country Japan
- Region Hokuto, East Asia, Asia
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Kitashōji Falls
Japan
Height35 mWidth—
Most similar
Yuntan Waterfall
Taiwan
Height35 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Taiwan
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
35 m
35 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Kitashōji FallsYuntan WaterfallVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 28× taller than Kitashōji Falls. Victoria Falls is 3.1× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Kitashōji Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
The Rough Guide to JapanRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Japan
Rough Guides · 2024
A current alternative to Lonely Planet, with practical detail on rail passes and getting to Nikko and the Kii Peninsula.
DK Eyewitness JapanDK Eyewitness
Guidebook
DK Eyewitness Japan
DK Eyewitness · 2024
Illustrated coverage of Nikko's shrines and the Kumano sites, handy for understanding what surrounds Kegon and Nachi.
On the map
35.73123, 138.35497
Quick answers
Where is Kitashōji Falls?
Kitashōji Falls is in Japan (Hokuto), inside Minami Alps National Park. The nearest base is Nirasaki, Japan. Its coordinates are 35.7312, 138.3550.
How tall is Kitashōji Falls?
Kitashōji Falls drops 35 metres (115 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall on the Ishiutoro River.
When is the best time to visit Kitashōji Falls?
Peak flow is May to July and October to November. Snowmelt and the June rains fill the falls; October and November add autumn colour.
What can you do at Kitashōji Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking, photography and wildlife & safari. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Kitashōji Falls?
The usual base is Nirasaki, Japan. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Kitashōji Falls
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Japan · 19 km away
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Shiraito Falls (Fujinomiya)
Japan · 20 m · 50 km away
Shiraito Falls is a waterfall in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, near Mount Fuji, Japan.
Otodome Falls
Japan · 25 m · 50 km away
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