Hossawa Falls

In short

Hossawa Falls is a four-tiered waterfall with a total drop of 60 meters, located far up a mountain stream in Hinohara Village. It is the only waterfall in Tokyo selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls." It is also known for freezing in winter.

• ​Lowest tier waterfall​​: What can be seen at the end of the walking path is the lowest tier, with a drop of about 23.3 meters
• ​Wood chip walking path​​: A gentle walk of about 15 minutes along a path covered with wood chips made from village trees
• ​Frozen waterfall​​: In winter, the waterfall sometimes freezes, and the "Hossawa Falls Winter Festival" is held

History and Highlights

Hossawa Falls is a four-tiered waterfall cascading into the Seto Stream, a tributary of the Kita-Aki River that flows through Hinohara Village. Hinohara Village is the only village in the Tama area, and about 90% of the village is forest. The falls are located far up a mountain stream at the headwaters of the Aki River, with a height difference of 60 meters. It is the only waterfall in Tokyo selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls."

Of the four tiers, the one visible from the walking path is the lowest tier, with a drop of about 23.3 meters. The pure water, which also serves as water for daily use by nearby residents, shines in the sunlight filtering through the trees as it pours into the waterfall basin.

The name is said to originate from the flowing water resembling a hanging hossu (a whisk used by Buddhist monks). It was once called "Hossu Falls." Long ago, it was also called a rain-praying waterfall, and it was reportedly believed that a giant serpent lived in the waterfall basin.

Tips for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Viewing the lowest tier of the waterfall​​: At the end of the walking path, the lowest tier of the waterfall can be seen. Because local residents use the waterfall's water for drinking, please do not enter the basin or otherwise contaminate the water.
• ​The frozen waterfall in winter​​: Hossawa Falls is known for freezing in winter. From December to February, the "Hossawa Falls Winter Festival" is held, featuring an "Ice Fall Quiz" where participants guess the day of maximum freeze, as well as a photo contest.
• ​Summer festival and autumn foliage​​: In August, the village's largest event, the "Hossawa Falls Hometown Summer Festival," is held, where about 10,000 people typically enjoy fireworks and local specialties. In autumn, it is also a well-known spot for fall foliage.

Walking Tips

Take a Nishi Tokyo Bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line and get off at the Hossawa no Taki Iriguchi (Hossawa Falls Entrance) stop. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk to the falls. From the parking lot to the falls, there is a gently sloping walking path. It is covered with wood chips made from village trees, making it soft and easy to walk on. Along the way, there is a gallery cafe displaying works by the village's ceramic artists, a souvenir shop using an old post office building, and a tofu shop, allowing visitors to experience the village's culture along with the waterfall. The parking lot has a limited number of spaces and fills up early during consecutive holidays, the autumn foliage season, and the freezing period. Visiting by public transportation provides peace of mind. Kanotoiwa Rock is located about 2.8 kilometers to the northwest.