[Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture] I walked to the basin of Akiu Otaki, one of Japan's three famous waterfalls!

Chimon
2017.05.26
Last updated: 2024.07.18

table of contents

1 What is Akiu Otaki?
2 Go to the basin of Akiu Otaki!
3 Enjoy the shops on the way home
- 3.1 Akiu Otaki＜Information＞

A huge waterfall with a width of 6m and a total height of 55m.
Did you know that you can see scenic spots in Sendai that are listed as one of Japan's Three Famous Waterfalls, one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, and designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty? If there is such a famous place, it is a place you should visit as a summer getaway, to see the autumn leaves, and to enjoy the healing effects of negative ions. That is "Akiu Otaki" that we will introduce this time.

The upper reaches of the Natori River, which flows through Zaokoku National Park and Futakuchi Gorge, Akiu Town, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
Akiu Otaki, which flows from there, has been chosen as one of the many scenic spots, so it is truly a sight to behold.
This time, we will do our best to introduce Akiu Otaki, an impressive scenic spot that can be seen in Sendai.

What is Akiu Otaki?

The Natori River originates from Mt. Kamurodake in the western part of Taihaku Ward and flows through the border of Sendai City and Natori City to Sendaidai. Akiu Otaki is located in the upper reaches of the river.

Nearby Saiko-ji Temple has its origins in Fudo Myoo, which was enshrined by Jikaku Daishi in the early Heian period.
In 1825, Chisoku Shonin built the Fudo Hall and the main hall was rebuilt, and it can still be seen today as a temple of the Chizan school of the Shingon sect, which is a syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.

You can see the impressive waterfall from the waterfall viewing platform, which is located near the Otaki side from Saikoji Temple, but the most recommended view is definitely from the basin of the waterfall.
Surprisingly, it is possible to get close to the very edge of the waterfall's basin at Akiu Otaki.
The path from the waterfall viewing platform to the basin of the waterfall is said to be maintained as the ``New Oku no Hosomichi ``Akiu Otaki Panoramic Path'' (Akiu Otaki Promenade).
The only way to know this is to actually go to the basin of the waterfall!

With that in mind, I immediately headed for the basin of the waterfall from Saikoji Temple.

Go to the basin of Akiu Otaki!

The image at the beginning is the view that can be seen from the basin of the waterfall.
It's quite beautiful! There is a guide board to the waterfall basin near the waterfall viewing platform. If you want to go to the waterfall basin, you should be able to follow this guide board.

So, let's go to the waterfall basin! It's well maintained, so it should be easy!

My thoughts were completely naive.

This is the ``New Oku no Hosomichi ``Akiu Otaki Panoramic Path.''
Completely beastly.
The only things that can be said to be well maintained are the barely visible red marks on the ground and the stairs that are too steep.
If you follow this and proceed, you will arrive at the basin of the waterfall.

Along the way, we had to go up and down some steep stairs, and the mountain path suddenly ended and we were on a public road (we could have driven to the waterfall basin without having to walk on the promenade!), but we finally arrived at the waterfall basin.
Here is the photo.

It was so powerful that this was the closest I could get.
The force of the waterfall is so strong that even from this position you can feel a lot of spray.
Your camera lens will also get wet quickly.
If you were trying to "train" by getting hit by a waterfall, you would be flattened in two seconds.
I couldn't find the words to express this, so I just kept repeating "amazing" and "amazing" over and over again.

Enjoy the shops on the way home

When you finally get back to Saikoji Temple, let's enjoy the shops around Akiu Otaki!

You can purchase local products near Saikoji Temple.
They will let you sample things you rarely get to drink, such as Sarunokoshikake and Actinidia tea (?), so if you take this opportunity to purchase some, you will have memories and good health!

You can also enjoy light meals such as coffee, tea, pasta, and pizza at the coffee shop in the rest house in the parking lot.
The soft serve ice cream is also delicious, so be sure to try it to soothe your tired body after walking on the promenade!

Furthermore, if you go to the back of the parking lot, you will also find Akiu Otaki Botanical Garden.
One round is approximately 800m.
Unlike the promenade, which used to be a mountain path, this is a fully maintained botanical garden, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll while looking at seasonal flowers.

After viewing the impressive waterfall, it might be a good idea to take a walk around the area to rest your body and mind!