Yasu-no-Taki Falls

Part of the Falls.

The Yasu-no-Taki Falls (安の滝; Yasu-no-taki) are a group of waterfalls in the Ani area of Kitaakita.

Outline

The falls are separated into two levels: the main drop of 60 meters on the upper level, and a smaller drop of 30 meters on the lower level. In between levels is the basin of the first waterfall which is a wide space than can be hiked to easily.

Yasu-no-Taki Falls was chosen as as one of the "100 Waterfalls of Japan" (日本の滝百選; Nihon no Taki Hyakusen, external link). On clear days, rainbows can be seen coming from the falls in the afternoon.

Legend

In the early 1700s (during the Tokugawa Period) a young lady named "Yasu" (ヤス) fell in love with a man named "Kyutaro" (久太郎) who worked in the gold mines on Mt Moriyoshi. However their love was prohibited by the laws of the mountain. Kyutaro, before returning to his village, told his friend to deliver a message to Yasu that he would go to her at a later date. That friend, fearing reprimand by his colleagues, never gave the message to Yasu. Yasu waited for Kyutaro who never showed. Later, Yasu heard that Kyutaro had been arrested on charges of violating mountain law, and was advised to forget about him. Wrought with despair, Yasu threw herself from the top of the falls. Since that time, these falls have been known as "Yasu's Falls" (安の滝; Yasu no Taki). It is said that your love will be requited if you visit the falls, making this a popular destination for young men and women.

Hiking to the Falls

From Ani, go south on Route 105. Take a left on Route 308. Drive 7 kilometers to Ani Matagi (Utto). You can get advice from the people at Yuppara Onsen (on your right as you go through Ani Matagi, about a minute by car beyond Ani Matagi (阿仁マタギ) train station.

From that Ani Matagi (Utto), continue straight. It will take about 10 minutes. The road becomes narrow and parts of the pavement have washed away due to the flood last year. Keep your eyes peeled for a dirt road that tangents off to the left when Route 308 turns to the right and goes over a small bridge. There are no romaji signs, but the dirt road is marked with a kanji sign (安の滝). You can either park in the turn out just beyond the small bridge on Route 308, and walk the 5 kilometers along the dirt road into the trailhead or you can drive them and park at the trailhead itself (its a nice walk, but whether you walk or drive, remember to veer right when you come to the fork in the road, the road sign at this fork has basically fallen into ruins.)

There are surprisingly nice toilets at the trailhead. The entrance to the trail is just below the toilets. It is a dangerously paved rock path, BE CAREFUL!!

If you hike from the trailhead, this hike rates an Easy. If you hike from Route 308, this hike rates a Medium. From the Route 308, this hike is about 15-20 kilometers over rolling hills. From the trailhead, this hike is about 4-6 kilometers (I think) over easy terrain.

https://goo.gl/maps/D7J21AWaWF7sPGMAA

See also

• Hiking/Climbing
• Life in Akita
• 100 Waterfalls of Japan website (Japanese; from the National Council of Japanese Forests, Waterfalls and Beaches homepage)