Mitarai Valley

In short

Mitarai Valley is a ravine located in Tenkawa Village. Crystal-clear waters where you can see all the way to the bottom flow between waterfalls of various sizes and giant boulders. The valley features a walking trail of about 8 kilometers in total length, and a hike along the river and through the forest taking about 2.5 hours is recommended.

• ​Mitarai Falls​​: A waterfall looked down upon from atop a suspension bridge, with a large single sheet of rock forming its upper section.
• ​Hikari no Taki Falls​​: A legend remains that a light shone from the waterfall toward Prince Morinaga.
• ​Seasonal Scenery​​: The landscape changes its appearance with each season—fresh greenery in spring, river satsuki azaleas in summer, autumn foliage said to be the finest in the Kinki region, and winter resembling an ink wash painting.

History and Highlights

Mitarai Valley is a ravine located in Kitasumi, Tenkawa Village. Crystal-clear streams where you can see through to the riverbed thread between giant rocks and waterfalls of various sizes. The scenery created by colossal stones, strangely shaped rocks, and a rich variety of trees is a major highlight.

A walking trail of about 8 kilometers in total length is maintained along the river. The difference in elevation along the trail is nearly 200 meters. Heading from the Tenkawa Village General Information Center toward the Dorogawa area is an uphill climb, while going from the Dorogawa Onsen Tourist Information Center toward the Tenkawa Village General Information Center is a downhill route.

The valley transforms its look with every season. Spring features brilliant, sparkling fresh greenery, while summer is highlighted by blooming river satsuki azaleas. The autumn leaves are said to be the best in the Kinki region, and winter brings a landscape reminiscent of an ink wash landscape painting.

Legends tied to the history of the Southern Court also remain in this valley. It is said that when Prince Morinaga stood before a certain waterfall, a light shone from the falls toward the prince. That waterfall is "Hikari no Taki Falls."

Tips for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​View from Aidenbashi Bridge​​: A prime scenic spot in the valley. From atop the bridge, you can take in panoramic views of a beautiful emerald-green deep pool and Mitarai Falls.
• ​Mitarai Falls​​: A waterfall viewed looking down from a suspension bridge. The upper section of the falls is a massive monolith. Looking upstream from atop that rock, a view of water flowing and weaving through giant boulders unfolds.
• ​Hikari no Taki Falls and the Giant Katsura Tree​​: Hikari no Taki Falls is about a 10-minute walk from Mitarai Falls. The path has ups and downs, with a stone monument inscribed with "Hikari no Taki" serving as a landmark. Along the walking trail, there is also a katsura tree that stands out as exceptionally large even in Tenkawa Village, where numerous branches growing from the base form complex shapes.

Tips for Strolling

National Route 309 has very narrow roads, and parking spaces are limited. For this reason, hiking along the walking trail is recommended. As it is a course of about 2.5 hours walking along the river and through the forest, be sure to wear comfortable sneakers.

When traveling by train and bus, take the Nara Kotsu Bus from Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line and get off at Tenkawa-Kawai. The Tenkawa Village General Information Center, located at the entrance to the village, gathers sightseeing and mountaineering information. From here, it is about a 20-minute walk to the gate of the walking trail. Walking from the information center, you proceed in the order of the Giant Katsura Tree, Mitarai Rest Area, Aidenbashi Bridge, Mitarai Falls, and Hikari no Taki Falls, finishing at the Dorogawa Onsen Visitor Center. After finishing your walk, you can take a bath at the visitor center.

Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the summer and foliage seasons are extremely crowded, so visiting on weekdays is recommended. Tenkawa Daibenzaiten-sha Shrine is located approximately 3.3 kilometers west-southwest.