Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture
A drive to Kanba Falls An autumn afternoon looking up at the falls from a trail lined with autumn leaves
Kanba Falls is 110m high and 20m wide. In autumn, you can take in both the falls and the changing leaves from the trail along the stream. Walk to a spot with a view of the falls and try looking up from a few different vantage points.
An afternoon outing in November to see the autumn foliage. The official guide lists mid- to late November as the approximate viewing period.
AutumnNovember · afternoon
Beyond the little bridge, the falls rise above me
One November afternoon, my friend and I came to Kanba Falls. I pulled on my coat after getting out of the car, and then it was time to walk to the falls. I wanted to add a walk to the drive, so I left some extra time before we needed to head back.
As we followed the trail, the sound of the water grew louder. The falls stretched so high I had to follow them with my eyes to take them all in. I'd heard they were 110m high, but once I stopped and looked up, I could really grasp their scale.
Near the little wooden footbridge, my friend and I looked for a good place to take a photo. The tall falls rose in the background, while water ran between the rocks in the foreground. Still pointing toward the falls with one hand, I asked my friend whether we'd be able to get both in the shot.
I pulled my coat closed and looked up once more. Leaves still clinging to the branches framed the falls. If I made the falls too large in the frame, the trees disappeared. My favorite shot was the one my friend took from a little farther back; it looked most like the view I'd just seen.
At first, I set out just to see the falls, but on the way back I stopped by the stream and looked at the fallen leaves too. Even on the same path, I noticed different things on the way back. My friend went ahead and waited beside the little bridge while I finished taking photos.
Back at the car, we talked about stopping in Katsuyama on the way back. I wanted to take home some sake manju made with local sake. With a photo of me looking up at the falls and something sweet to enjoy at home, I could relive that autumn afternoon once I got back.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Katsuyama sake manju
Maeda Confectionery in Katsuyama makes sake manju with local sake. I was looking forward to enjoying some at home while looking back at a photo of me gazing up at the falls. That way, I could relive the autumn afternoon.
Highlights
Look up to the top of the falls
A 110m waterfall spilling down a steep cliff. From the nearby stream, look up and follow the falls all the way to the top.
The little bridge among the autumn leaves
You can fill one shot with the falls, or fit the footbridge and trees into another. I went with the one my friend took from a little farther back. It includes the footbridge and trees too, and feels closest to what I saw on my walk.
After the walk, make time for Katsuyama
After the walk, I want to pick out a souvenir in Katsuyama. Sake manju would be a sweet treat to look forward to at home.
Trail details
Trail through Kanba Falls Natural Park
- Car park to entrance gate
- Approx. 300m
- Entrance gate to waterfall viewpoint
- Approx. 200m
Get out of the car and walk to the entrance gate, then continue to the waterfall viewpoint.
Maniwa City lists these as distances for two sections of the park trail. Remember to leave time for the walk when planning your drive.
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