Numata City, Gunma Prefecture – Autumn Leaves, Sightseeing Spots, and Access Information for Fukiware-no-Taki Falls

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Written by makoa187jp

Fukiware-no-Taki Falls, sometimes referred to as the “Niagara of the East,” happens to be a famous location for viewing gorgeous autumn leaves. The falls, which are 7 meters tall and 30 meters wide, make for an amazing view when backed by the area’s suspension bridge and autumn leaves! Next, I’ll introduce some more information about Fukiware-no-Taki Falls, which was designated as a natural monument and scenic spot in 1936.

※This article was written about a visit on November 3rd, 2016. Please refer to it for planning your own trip!

What a View! Autumn Leaves, a Suspension Bridge, and a Roaring Waterfall

At 13:30, Fukiware-no-Taki Falls was before me. The sparkling waterfall, sunlight shining down on it; the leaves, dyed shades of yellow and red; and the suspension bridge in the background (Ukishima-bashi) …. A wonderful view unfolded for me.

Autumn Leavesa and  Suspension Bridge and a Roaring Waterfall
Autumn Leavesa and Suspension Bridge and a Roaring Waterfall

There was a faint rainbow hanging in the air as I approached the falls. I was also visiting at the peak of the autumn leaves, so I just happened to have amazing timing!

Autumn Leaves and a Roaring Waterfall
Autumn Leaves and a Roaring Waterfall

Walking a bit further out on the promenade, I could see Fukiware-bashi (left) as well as Ukishima-bashi (right) hanging over Ukishima.

Fukiware-bashi and Ukishima-bashi
Fukiware-bashi and Ukishima-bashi

Looking back at the waterfall basin from the promenade, I saw the splashes of water dancing beautifully. This truly is the “Niagara of the East.”

Autumn Leaves and a Roaring Waterfall
Autumn Leaves and a Roaring Waterfall
Autumn Leaves and a Roaring Waterfall
Autumn Leaves and a Roaring Waterfall

View from Suspension Bridge (Ukishima-bashi)

I made my way to Ukishima-bashi, the suspension bridge I had just seen. I continued all the way to the middle. The contrast between the rocky mountains and the autumn leaves was just as spectacular from upstream!

View from Suspension Bridge (Ukishima-bashi)
View from Suspension Bridge (Ukishima-bashi)
The contrast between the rocky mountains and the autumn leaves
The contrast between the rocky mountains and the autumn leaves

It’s backlit, but this picture is looking towards the waterfall from Ukishima-bashi. The area around the falls seems to have its best lighting from noon until early afternoon. Just a little later and the sun dipped behind the mountains, shrouding the falls in the shadow of the mountains.

View from Suspension Bridge
View from Suspension Bridge

Most of the tourists who start walking from the Fukiware-no-Taki bus stop turn around at this suspension bridge, but I kept going, climbing the mountain and going towards the #3 waterfall overlook.

This was my second trip to Fukiware-no-Taki Falls, so I knew that taking pictures of the falls from the areas around the waterfall overlooks would be tough. There are a lot of trees that get in the way of the view. However, I was somehow able to take some pictures of the waterfall from up above.

Take some pictures of the waterfall from up above.
Take some pictures of the waterfall from up above.

By now, it was 14:00. Half of the waterfall basin was already shrouded in shadows cast by the mountains. Evening comes quickly during the fall in the mountains.

Fukiware-no-Take Falls – Nearby Sightseeing Spot Guide

Near Fukiware-no-Taki Falls is the Oigami Onsen village, which is also a stop along the bus route connecting Fukiware-no-Taki Falls and Numata Station. The area is a hot spring resort built along the slopes of the Katashina River, and it’s a great option for not only staying the night, but also for making a day trip for the hot springs.

Kyu Ubukatake Jutaku

Kyu Ubukatake Jutaku (Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property).
This home is thought to have been built around the end of the 17th century.

Kyu Ubukatake Jutaku
Kyu Ubukatake Jutaku

Basic information on Kyu Ubukatake Jutaku

Address
594 Nishikurauchimachi, Numata City, Gunma Prefecture (within Numata Park)
URL
http://www.city.numata.gunma.jp/kanko/bunka/1001837.html

Around the Numata Station

Additionally, there are various historical locations scattered about near Numata Station, such as the ruins of Numata Castle. When you get off at Numata Station, part of the Joetsu Line, you immediately see the mountains rising up in front of the bus roundabout.

Numata is also famous as a “river terrace” town, surrounded by three rivers: Tone River, Katashina River, and Usune River. The heart of Numata City is found atop a plain on an 80-meter-tall “mountain (terrace),” roughly the height of a 25-storey building. The bus that goes to Fukiware-no-Taki Falls travels upwards along that same mountain.

Mountains Visible from Numata Station
Mountains Visible from Numata Station

Takaragawa Onsen

You can also take the Joetsu Line from Numata Station and go sightseeing at Mt. Tanigawa, or stretch your legs out at Minakami Onsen and Takaragawa Onsen. Takaragawa Onsen is famous for its open-air mixed bath that overlooks a mountain stream.

Takaragawa Onsen
Takaragawa Onsen

Basic information on Takaragawa Onsen

Address
1899 Fujiwara, Minakami, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture
TEL
0278-75-2611
URL
http://www.takaragawa.com/hantaiji.html

Numata – Nearby Sightseeing Spot Guide

Here I’ll introduce information on accessing Fukiware-no-Taki Falls in Gunma Prefecture’s Numata City.
To get to Fukiware-no-Taki Falls, you can take the bus route from either the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line’s Jomo-Kogen Station or the Joetsu Line’s Numata Station.

To get to Fukiware-no-Taki Falls
To get to Fukiware-no-Taki Falls

Why not give Fukiware-no-Taki Falls a visit using the following bus timetable? The gorgeous autumn leaves and waterfalls are waiting for you!

Bus Timetable (Taken from during sightseeing season. Current as of November 2017)
Bus Timetable (Taken from during sightseeing season. Current as of November 2017)

*H=Hatomachi Pass Line S=Oshimizu Pass Line
*Bus leaves from #2 boarding area at Jomo-Kogen Station and #1 boarding area at Numata Station

Basic information on Fukiware-no-Taki Falls

Address
Okkai, Ooaza, Tone-cho, Numata City, Gunma Prefecture
Access
30 minutes along Japan National Route 120 from the Kan-Etsu Expressway Numata Exchange, in the direction of Nikko.
40 minutes by Kan-etsu Transportation’s bus from JR Numata Station.
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Birth place: Saitama prefecture

makoa187jp

I am a train enthusiast. To me, trains are not merely transportation but my purpose in life.