Escape the Summer Heat in Okunikko. The Hidden Charm of Yudaki Falls
With summer heat becoming more intense every year, the staff at UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO would like to share a recommended spot where you can stay cool while enjoying an active outing!
This time, we are excited to introduce Yudaki Falls, a powerful and breathtaking water landscape.
What is Yudaki Falls?
Lake Yunoko sits at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, right where our hotel is located. Yudaki Falls cascades dynamically from the southern tip of this serene lake. (Locals sometimes pronounce it “Yudaki” with a voiced consonant.)
While it is often considered a hidden gem compared to Nikko’s famous Kegon Falls or Ryuzu Falls, guests who visit often exclaim in delight, saying, “You can feel the sheer power much closer here than at Kegon Falls!”
The sight of water overflowing from Lake Yunoko, rushing down the dark rock face with intense spray into the basin below, is truly breathtaking. A viewing platform (Kanbakudai) is situated directly in front of the fanning waterfall, allowing you to feel the refreshing mist against your skin.
Shaded by trees, a continuous cool breeze blows across the viewing platform. Even within the Yumoto area—well known as a summer retreat—it is exceptionally cool, with temperatures feeling roughly 14 to 15°C lower than on the flatlands, making it the ultimate healing spot.
Access to Yudaki Falls (3 Routes)
There are three main ways to reach Yudaki Falls from our hotel:
1. By Car or Bicycle
- Travel Time: Approx. 5 minutes by car from the hotel heading toward Lake Chuzenji and Irohazaka.
- Route: Park at the paid parking lot (500 Yen for standard cars) and take a flat 100-meter walk. You will surely be amazed as the dynamic waterfall suddenly appears through the trees.
2. By Local Bus
- Travel Time: Approx. 20 minutes in total.
- Route: From the “Yumoto Onsen” bus stop (first stop, running 1–2 times per hour), located a 4-minute walk from the hotel, board a bus bound for Nikko Station or Lake Chuzenji and ride for 2 stops (approx. 4 minutes). Get off at the “Yudaki-iriguchi” bus stop, then walk down the slope for about 5 minutes to arrive.
3. Hiking (Staff Recommendation)
- Travel Time: Approx. 35 to 40 minutes one way.
- Route: Walk along the shore of Lake Yunoko from the hotel for about 30 minutes (the eastern route is flat, while the western route offers moderate ups and downs). From the end of the lake, head down the stairs for about 5 minutes to reach the viewing platform.
Staff Recommendation
One of the exclusive privileges of visiting on foot is being able to appreciate the changing scenery in stages—from the top where the water drops (Ochiguchi), down through the middle, and finally to the waterfall basin.
It is a comfortable light hike taking about 1.5 hours round-trip. After enjoying a morning walk in the crisp, clear air, your breakfast back at the hotel will taste even more delicious!
Dining & Nearby Attractions
Directly in front of the viewing platform sits a rest house where you can enjoy meals and take a break.
- Specialties: Salt-grilled sweetfish (Ayu) slowly roasted over charcoal, and grilled rice dango slathered in house-made yuzu miso.
- Other Options: Light meals such as udon and soba noodles, mushroom soup, as well as an attached souvenir shop.
Savoring these local specialties while gazing at the crystal-clear stream and listening to the thunderous roar of the waterfall will surely become a wonderful travel memory.
The area around Yudaki Falls is also well known as a starting point for fly fishing and hiking through Senjogahara, and you may even spot wild birds darting through the waterfall’s spray. When visiting Okunikko, be sure to take a short stroll to experience the refreshing atmosphere of Yudaki Falls for yourself.
About UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO
Set against the backdrop of Yumoto Onsen in Okunikko, surrounded by the deep forests of a national park, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO is a boutique hotel that embraces a mid-century design aesthetic. Featuring the rich textures of brick and wood, vintage furniture, the warmth of a fireplace, shadow-casting lighting, and grand windows that mirror the forest, we offer a truly unique stay experience where you can step away from daily life and feel as though you’ve walked straight into a storybook.
- Property Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO
- Address: 2549-5 Yumoto, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1662
- Access:
- Approx. 90 minutes by Tobu Bus from Tobu-Nikko Station or JR Nikko Station.
- If traveling by car, please take the Nikko-Utsunomiya Road toward Okunikko.