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Shomyo Falls

富山県

4.6

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

The most powerful and impressive Shomyo Falls with the highest drop in Japan!

Shomyo Falls is a waterfall where you can enjoy the power that is just like the water discharge from a dam, with a drop of 350 meters. Depending on the season, you can see rare views such as the two waterfalls flowing down together, including the "Hannoki Falls" made of snowmelt water, and the waterfall flowing down in a V-shape.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic Nature

Highlights

Point 1

A 350m Waterfall with a 350m Drop

"Shomyo Falls," with Japan's highest drop, is a famous waterfall. It flows dynamically from a height of 350m, higher than Tokyo Tower. Its majestic natural beauty is truly powerful, and it's no wonder it's been designated as a national scenic spot and natural monument, as well as being selected as one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls and top 100 soundscapes. Additionally, Shomyo Falls consists of four stages, and its characteristic feature is the way the water hits the rocks and creates a spray, rather than falling straight down.

Point 2

Abundant Water Flow with Intense Splashes

The source of Shomyo Falls, one of Toyama's most famous waterfalls, lies in the iconic Tateyama mountain range. One of the attractions of Shomyo Falls is its abundant water flow, which creates intense splashes. This is also thanks to the blessings of Tateyama. Normally, it's said that 2 tons of water flow down every second with great force, but in spring when the snow in the Tateyama range begins to melt, the water flow increases even more dramatically. If you want to see a more fierce appearance, it's recommended to visit in early summer. Additionally, due to this abundant water flow, the rocks are gradually being eroded and slowly receding.

Point 3

The Enchanted Han-noki Waterfall

Shomyo Falls in Toyama Prefecture boasts the highest drop in Japan. However, there is another waterfall in Toyama that has a drop greater than Shomyo Falls, although it is not officially recognized. That waterfall is the Han-noki Waterfall, with a drop of approximately 500 meters, surpassing Shomyo Falls' 350 meters. However, this waterfall does not always flow and its appearance varies, sometimes appearing and disappearing, and sometimes flowing gently or violently. For this reason, it is also called the Enchanted Waterfall. The Han-noki Waterfall appears when there is a lot of water from the source. The best time to see it is said to be around June when there is a lot of snowmelt water flowing from Murodo Plateau. Two waterfalls flow in a V-shape, alongside Shomyo Falls. Don't you want to see this rare sight?

Point 4

Rainbow over the Waterfall Basin

When you go to see Shomyo Falls, you may be lucky enough to see a rainbow over the waterfall basin. Depending on the time of day and weather, you may not see it even if you go expecting to, so it's lucky if you do. The season when rainbows are relatively easy to see is from June to August. This is also the time when the water volume increases due to snowmelt, and the water splashes most intensely. The recommended time of day is in the afternoon on a sunny day. This creates a situation where the light is in the right direction, making it easier to see the rainbow.

Point 5

Attractive Trekking Course

画像引用：とやま観光ナビ

The Senjojiki Cirque Promenade is a popular trekking course where you can easily enjoy the nature of Tateyama, in addition to visiting the waterfall with the highest drop in Japan. Cars and bicycles are not allowed, so even small children can walk freely. In recent years, many elderly people have been seen strolling around using senior cars. It's a course where you can enjoy pleasant exercise surrounded by the beautiful emerald green Senmai River and the mountains that change colors with the seasons. To get to the Takimi-dai Park, where you can see the waterfall up close, you need to climb a narrow and steep staircase. If you're not confident in your legs, it's better not to push yourself and be satisfied with staying near the bridge.

Point 6

Enjoy the Autumn Colors and a Famous Waterfall

Shomyo Falls, listed as one of Toyama's scenic autumn foliage spots, is a must-see destination. The foliage season starts around mid-October, earlier than in the plains. At this time, the deciduous trees around Tateyama are dyed red and yellow, delighting tourists' eyes. On a clear day, the contrast between the clear blue sky, autumn leaves, and the white spray of Shomyo Falls creates a stunning landscape. The mountain road leading to Shomyo-daira is also a scenic drive course where you can enjoy the autumn foliage of the Tateyama mountain range.

Point 7

Shimmering Emerald River Surface

The Shomyo River originates from the Tateyama Mountain Range. The river, which flows through the Yatagarasu Plain, cascades down the cliff as the Shomyo Waterfall, and continues downstream to eventually merge with the Joganji River. On the way to see the Shomyo Waterfall, you'll be captivated by the beauty of the Shomyo River flowing leisurely to the left. The water quality is extremely good, maintaining a transparent water color even during floods. When you look down from the bridge, you can see how clear the water is, with the riverbed visible.

Point 8

Another Hidden Waterfall: Somen Falls

Shomyo Falls boasts the highest drop in Japan, but there is actually another waterfall with an even greater drop, a hidden gem known as Hannotaki Falls. And here, you can also see another hidden waterfall called "Somen Falls," which is thin like somen noodles (compared to Shomyo Falls). The original Somen Falls is upstream of Shomyo Falls, and this rare waterfall was originally unnamed but eventually came to be called by this name. If the conditions are right, you can capture the moment when a rainbow appears over the waterfall basin, in addition to Shomyo Falls, Hannotaki Falls, and Somen Falls.

Access

Accessing the Waterfall by Foot from Shomyo Falls Rest Area Takes About 30 Minutes

Shomyo Falls is accessible from around late April to late November. If using public transportation, take the Toyama Chiho Railway train from Toyama Dentetsu Toyama Station to Tateyama Station (travel time is about 1 to 1.5 hours). From there, take the Shomyo Falls Exploration Bus labeled "Shomyo Falls" and go directly to the bus stop at Shomyo Falls Rest Area (travel time is about 15 minutes). The direct bus runs about once per hour. Please note that the operating period is shorter than the period when access to Shomyo Falls is possible, ending around November 10th. Please check the official website or other sources for the exact schedule in advance. If coming by car, there is a large free parking lot near Shomyo Falls Rest Area. It takes about 50 minutes from the Tateyama Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway to Shomyo Falls Rest Area. It takes about 30 minutes on foot from Shomyo Falls Rest Area to Shomyo Falls. Most of the path is a gentle slope, but please be careful of your footing as the stairs become steep as you get closer to the waterfall.

Parking

Free Parking Available

At the entrance of Shomyo Falls, which boasts the highest drop in Japan, there is a surrounding area called Shomyo Hira where a free parking lot for 250 cars is available (at an altitude of 960m). From the Tateyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway, turn right towards Tateyama on Prefectural Road No. 3, then continue on Prefectural Road No. 6 towards the Tateyama National Park for about 50 minutes to arrive. The path to the Shomyo Falls observation deck is for pedestrians only, and there are toilets and rest houses near the entrance.

Required time

Enjoy a 30-Minute Walk to See the Beautiful Waterfall

From the Shomyo Falls parking lot, there is a well-maintained 1.3km trail called the "Shomyo Promenade" that leads to the waterfall viewing area where you can get a close-up view of the Shomyo Falls. Although the trail is mostly gentle slopes, the latter half consists of steep stairs, so caution is required for those who lack confidence in their legs or are accompanied by small children. As it is a nature-surrounded promenade, many elderly people and pet owners enjoy only the path leading up to the stairs without climbing them. The one-way journey takes about 30 minutes on foot for adults.

Basic Information

	Address	〒930-1406 Toyama-ken, Nakaniikawa-gun, Tateyama-machi, Ashikuraji
	Business Hours	7:00～18:00
	TEL	076-462-9971
	Web Site	https://www.info-toyama.com/spot/31003/

Average Review

4.6

4 Reviews

10月の三連休最終日、桂台ゲートを7時頃に通過する予定で行きました。駐車場に到着したのが7時10分頃。すでに第一駐車場は満車、第二駐車場も8割埋まっていました。大日岳への登山者が多く占めていたようです。紅葉はまだ。随分寒くなっているので、紅葉が進むとあっという間の感じがします。遊歩道は、当たり前ながら行きは緩やかな上りです。帰りは緩やかな下り坂。最近電動カートで進むことができるようにもなったようで最終地点の脇に、カートの停車場があります。称名滝周辺の展望台はまでは不規則な石段が続きます。両側にゆるめのロープが張ってありますが、手すりにするには少し心許ないです。朝、人が少なく静かで滝を満喫するにはとても良い時間帯だったと思います。滝の落水の迫力は言うまでもなく川に流れる水の透明度も素晴らしいです。マイナスイオンをたっぷり浴びることができました。

称名滝の見頃は春か秋か。紅葉の名所としても知られていますが、弥陀ヶ原からの雪解け水により流量の増す春はとりわけ迫力が増します。その頃にのみ現われる、ハンノキ滝、ソーメン滝との共演も見事です。絶壁の天辺からそのまま流れ落ちるハンノキ滝の落差は五〇〇メートル、絶え間ない激流に削られた渓谷より流れ落ちる称名滝は落差三五〇メートル、比べるまでもなく一見してハンノキ滝のほうが高く、落ちた先の滝壺は同じなのですが、ハンノキ滝は先に言及した通り季節限定の滝なため、称名滝こそが落差日本一とされています。称名滝の展望台周辺は車の乗り入れが禁止されていて、手前の称名平休憩所あたりのバス停ないしは駐車場から三〇分ほどかけて登り坂を歩くことになるのですが、遠くからでもよく見えるハンノキ滝を見て「もういいや」で引き返すと、「仁和寺のある法師」みたいなことになるのでご注意ください。見ごたえは確かなものの、公共交通機関でのアクセスはいまひとつです。五月から十一月までの間、最寄の立山駅から称名平休憩所前の称名滝バス停まで、称名滝探勝バスが運行されるのですが、二〇二四年五月時点の情報としては、Googleマップにもナビタイムにもスルーされています。時刻表は立山黒部アルペンルートのホームページを掘るとようやくわかります。運行本数は日に五往復で、列車との接続は考慮されていません。滝壺に虹のかかる晴れた日の午後に訪れるのがおすすめなものの、じっくり見たい方、きびきびと歩けない小さな子供、お年寄り連れの方には、復路のバスの出発が少々早すぎます。ならばとタクシーを併用しようにも、立山駅前にはタクシーが待機していません。配車をお願いすれば普通に三〇分待ちです。立山駅への到着予定時刻にあわせてタクシー呼んでおいて、途中の景勝地である「悪城の壁」に立ち寄り、帰りはバスを使うのが合理的です。