What Is Makkura Falls? A North-Facing Waterfall in the Forests of Nikkō's Kirifuri Highlands
Makkura Falls is a waterfall on a tributary of the Kirifuri River, near the Kirifuri Highlands (Kirifuri Kōgen) in Tokorono, Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture.
One of the Three Hidden Waterfalls of Kirifuri, it is a hiking destination where a walk through the forest leads to a waterfall view.
The waterfall lies deep in the forest, about a 60-minute walk from the bus stop, so checking the route, seasonal bus services, and precautions against land leeches before setting out will help you visit with confidence.
Makkura Falls Takes Its Name from a Forest That Was Dark Even at Midday
The name is said to come from the fact that the surrounding area was once dark even during the day.
Makkura echoes the Japanese word makkura, meaning pitch-dark, and captures the atmosphere of this wooded setting.
Dense trees surround the waterfall, giving the area a dim atmosphere even in daylight.
Knowing the story behind the name may encourage you to notice the light and shade of the forest as well as the flowing water.
An Unusual Waterfall That Flows Northward
Makkura Falls flows northward, an unusual direction for a waterfall in Japan.
Its drop is said to be about 30 m.
If you want to check its orientation, looking up the waterfall's location and the surrounding terrain on a map beforehand can help you understand the landscape when you arrive.
Things to See and Photograph at Makkura Falls
At Makkura Falls, you can enjoy the flowing water and the forest around it as a single landscape.
Along with time to view the waterfall, leave yourself room to pause, listen to the sound, and look at the layers of trees.
Compare the Forest's Light and Shade with the Moving Water
In this shaded landscape, noticing the contrast between the white water and the rock surfaces can help you appreciate the waterfall's shape.
Before taking photos, find a place with secure footing and look at where the water emerges and how it continues downward.
After sharing your impressions with your companions, taking a break from conversation to listen to the water is another way to enjoy the forest.
When to See Fresh Greenery and Fall Foliage
Fresh greenery is generally at its best from early May to early June in spring and early summer, while fall foliage usually peaks from late October to early November.
Autumn colors arrive earlier or later depending on that year's temperatures, so check foliage updates before visiting.
Buses to the Kirifuri Highlands operate through November 30 each year, so pay attention to the service period if you visit near the end of the fall foliage season.
Compose Your Photos from a Safe Spot
When taking photos, check local signs and stop in a place where you will not block other people.
Rather than focusing on getting closer to the waterfall, try both portrait and landscape compositions from the same safe spot to change the feel of your photos.
Avoid stepping backward while concentrating on the screen, and lower your camera or smartphone before moving.
Here are some composition ideas for different moods you may want to capture.
| What to Capture | Composition Tip | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| The flowing water | Use a portrait composition | Check your footing first |
| The surrounding forest | Include the trees in a landscape composition | Stay on the trail |
| The contrast between water and rock | Frame a detail within the scene | Do not move closer just to take a photo |
Compare Makkura Falls with Chōji Falls and Tamasudare Falls
The Three Hidden Waterfalls of Kirifuri are Makkura Falls, Tamasudare Falls, and Chōji Falls, scattered along the upper reaches of the Kirifuri River.
Tamasudare Falls is known for water slipping down like a bamboo blind, while Chōji Falls is distinguished by its vigorous flow.
Chōji Falls has a drop of about 10 m and a substantial flow of water, while Tamasudare Falls is less than 10 m high; both are along the Kirifuri Highlands Ōyama hiking course.
The stated walking times from the Kakure Santaki Iriguchi bus stop are about 20 minutes to Chōji Falls, 35 minutes to Tamasudare Falls, and 60 minutes to Makkura Falls, making Makkura the most time-consuming of the three to reach.
If you visit the other waterfalls, comparing how the water spreads and interacts with the rocks, rather than collecting similar photos, can help you appreciate what makes each one different.
However, decide whether to visit all three only after checking that day's trail conditions and your return transportation.
How to Get to Makkura Falls and Use the Bus
Getting here by public transportation involves a bus from the Nikkō Station area followed by a walk.
Planning for both the walk to the waterfall and the return journey is the key to fitting it into a Nikkō sightseeing itinerary.
Take a Bus from JR Nikkō Station or Tōbu-nikkō Station to Kakure Santaki Iriguchi
From JR Nikkō Station or Tōbu-nikkō Station, take a bus bound for Kirifuri Kōgen for about 15 minutes, get off at Kakure Santaki Iriguchi, and walk for about 60 minutes.
The Kirifuri Kōgen service is operated by Tobu Bus, and you pay the fare when you get off.
Fares from JR Nikkō Station and Tōbu-nikkō Station are 380 yen to Kirifuri no Taki and 850 yen to the final stop, Kirifuri Kōgen, so it is also worth checking the fare to the intermediate Kakure Santaki Iriguchi stop in Tobu Bus information before boarding.
The stated walking time is a guide to reaching the waterfall, so allow separately for viewing, breaks, and the walk back.
Based on the approximate 60-minute one-way walk, walking there and back alone takes about 2 hours.
Including the bus ride and time at the waterfall, using around 3 hours as a starting point for the round trip from Nikkō Station, with additional time for waiting for buses, makes planning easier.
Your pace and trail conditions will affect the itinerary, so avoid scheduling meals or trains too tightly afterward.
In Winter, from December to March, Buses Terminate at Kirifuri no Taki
Tobu Bus services to Kirifuri Kōgen run seasonally from April 1 to November 30 each year; from December 1 to March 31, buses run to Kirifuri no Taki via the Nikkō Kirifuri Skate Center.
Buses to Kakure Santaki Iriguchi do not operate in winter.
Once you have chosen your visiting date, check Tobu Bus information for the route served and the departure times in both directions.
Kirifuri no Taki and Kakure Santaki Iriguchi are different bus stops, so do not assume they are the same place to get off just because their names relate to waterfalls.
Check Japanese Destination Names, Bus Stop Numbers, and Warning Signs
If you are unfamiliar with Japanese, save the names Makkura Falls (マックラ滝) and Kakure Santaki Iriguchi bus stop (隠れ三滝入口) on your smartphone to help confirm where you are going.
Tobu Bus Nikkō stops also have numbers: Kakure Santaki Iriguchi is No. 99 and Kirifuri no Taki is No. 97, so comparing these with the numbers on the onboard monitor can help you avoid missing your stop.
Save a map before setting out and compare it with local signs as you walk.
TOBU FREE Wi-Fi is available in front of Tōbu-nikkō Station, making it convenient to save maps and timetables to your device before boarding.
Here are examples of warning signs you may see on mountain trails and what they mean.
| Example Wording | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 立入禁止 (Tachiiri kinshi: No entry) | Do not enter this area | View from outside the restricted area |
| 通行止め (Tsūkō-dome: Road or trail closed) | This route cannot be used | Stop and check the instructions |
| 足元注意 (Ashimoto chūi: Watch your step) | Beware of slippery or uneven footing | Watch your footing and walk carefully |
| 迂回路 (Ukairo: Detour) | Directions to an alternative route | Follow the indicated route |
What to Wear and Bring for the Makkura Falls Hike, Including Leech Precautions
When preparing for a forest walk, think about protection from rain and insects as well as ease of walking.
Before heading out in everyday sightseeing clothes, reconsider your footwear, exposed skin, and what you are carrying.
Choose Footwear and Supplies for a Mountain Trail
Wear well-fitting shoes with good traction and pack your belongings in a backpack to keep both hands free.
As with any hike, prepare drinks and rain gear before you leave rather than assuming you can buy what you need along the way.
A jacket you can layer helps you adjust to how warm or cool you feel while walking and resting.
Do not rely on toilets or shops near the waterfall; use a restroom around the station or elsewhere before setting out.
- Drinks and food that is easy to carry
- Rain gear and a jacket for adjusting to the temperature
- A saved map and a backup power supply
- A bag for taking your trash home
Watch for Land Leeches in Rainy Weather and After Rain from June to October
On hiking trails around the Kirifuri Highlands, including the Three Hidden Waterfalls course, take particular care with land leeches during rainy weather and the following day from June through October.
Land leeches are generally active from April to November and are common on forest paths, animal trails, and places used by wildlife such as deer and wild boar.
These leeches feed on blood, so take precautions such as wearing long sleeves and pants, tucking your top into your pants and your pant cuffs into thick socks, or wearing rubber boots.
If using a commercially available land-leech repellent on your shoes or clothing, prepare it according to the product's directions and precautions.
Keep checking your feet and clothing as you walk; if you have companions, checking one another can make leeches easier to spot.
If a leech bites you, apply salt or insect repellent to remove it promptly, then pinch the bite to squeeze out blood and rinse it with water.
If itching or hives persist, consult a dermatologist.
Safety and Etiquette for Walking in the Forest Around Makkura Falls
On the day of your waterfall hike, check which routes are passable and the weather, and enjoy nature within your limits.
Both gathering information before departure and making sensible decisions on site matter.
Check Trail Conditions Before Setting Out
Check notices about the hiking trails from sources such as the Nikkō City Tourism Association.
For questions about the waterfall or hiking trails, contact the Nikkō City Tourism Association at 0288-22-1525; for buses, contact the Nikkō Office of Tobu Bus Nikkō at 0288-54-1138.
If old trip reports or maps differ from current local information, follow posted signs and the instructions of those managing the site.
If you lose your way, do not head into the forest following the sound of water; retrace the route you came along while you can still return safely.
Reconsider Your Plans If Rain or Darkness Becomes a Concern
In general, wet rocks, tree roots, and leaf-covered paths require careful footing.
Be prepared to cancel the walk to the waterfall if heavy rain, rising water, poor visibility, or other conditions make you uneasy.
Plan to return in daylight, and let your companions know if you are tired so that you can conserve energy for the walk back.
Be Prepared for Bear Sightings
Nearly all of Nikkō City is considered bear habitat, and sightings near homes and other populated areas become more frequent from around April to October.
When entering forests, carrying a bear bell, radio, or another item that makes noise is recommended to alert bears to your presence.
Avoid going out in the early morning or at night, when bears are active, and never approach a bear, even a cub.
Respect Plants and Other Visitors
Stay on the trail to avoid damaging plants and moss, and refrain from collecting natural items or moving branches for photos.
Take food wrappers, drink containers, and other trash home, and check that you have left nothing behind where you rested.
When stopping for a photo or a break, look around and leave room for others to pass so that everyone can enjoy their visit.
Makkura Falls Travel Tips: Getting There and Preparing for the Hike
Makkura Falls is a place to experience the nature of Nikkō's Kirifuri Highlands on foot, noticing the dim forest reflected in its name and the unusual northward flow of the water.
Before visiting, check the operating season for buses to Kirifuri Kōgen, April 1 to November 30, and the trail conditions, and prepare suitable walking gear and precautions against land leeches and bears.
Allow time to enjoy the waterfall and plenty of room in your return schedule, then take in the forest scenery and the sound of water at your own pace.
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