At the north end of Lake Chuzenji along the Yu River is Ryuzu Falls. Ryuzu Falls is known as one of the five best waterfalls in Nikko. Getting to the falls is less than a 10 minute drive from the town area at the east end of the lake. The drive took us through a lovely tree lined road that goes along the shore of the lake.

Shortly after the road turned away from Lake Chuzenji there was a turn off for the parking lot for the waterfall. At Ryuzu falls there is a small restaurant and gift shop. This is where the observation deck for the main part of Ryuzu falls is located. Surprisingly, there isn’t a fee to view the falls.

Ryuzu Falls are a set of twin waterfalls that cascade 210 meters / 689 feet around a huge rock, which is said to look like a dragon (“ryuzu” means dragon). The waterfall is surrounded by trees, and is said to look especially gorgeous in the fall, when it is lined with vivid red and orange leaves, as well as in the spring when the purple rhododendrons are in bloom. Although we visited in the fall, we were just a little too late to view the fall colors at this waterfall, given the high altitude. However, the view was still lovely!

Outside the shop is a trail leading further up the Yu River. Just a short walk up that trail is another gorgeous viewpoint of the river rushing over rolling rapids on its way to the waterfall below.

This was just a quick stop off for us on our way back into Nikko to catch our train so we didn’t have time to fully enjoy this beautiful waterfall. We just wish that we had had more time to explore further down the trail and take more pictures!

Google Maps Link: Ryuzu Falls