Yoro Falls

Yoro Falls is a famous waterfall that has long been handed down as the “Filial Piety Waterfall,” and is selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. Located at the deepest part of Yoro Park in the Yoro Mountains of southwestern Gifu Prefecture, it is beloved as a scenic spot surrounded by rich nature. The waterfall, about 30 meters high and 4 meters wide, pours clear water over the rocks, and its magnificent and beautiful appearance has long captivated many poets and writers. It is also known for having been depicted in ukiyo-e prints by Katsushika Hokusai during the Edo period.

Yoro Falls is also famous for the story of filial devotion known as the “Legend of the Filial Son.” Long ago, it is said that a woodcutter named Genjoro found spring water that tasted like sake in the mountains, and when he gave it to his elderly father, his father regained his vitality. This mysterious event reportedly reached the capital of Nara, and Emperor Gensho visited the area and, calling it “the water that rejuvenates the elderly,” changed the era name to “Yoro.”

The waterfall is about 1.2 kilometers from the Yoro Falls entrance parking lot, or about a 30-minute walk away. Along the way, well-maintained promenades and seven bridges allow visitors to enjoy seasonal nature such as spring cherry blossoms, fresh green leaves, and autumn foliage. Every year on July 1, the “Yoro Falls Opening” ceremony is held to pray for the safety of visitors, and it has become a summer tradition.

Around the waterfall are historical sites connected to the Legend of the Filial Son, including Kikusui Spring, a famous spring associated with Emperor Gensho and selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters; Yoro Shrine, known for blessings of longevity, good health, and academic success; Furogaike Pond; and Yoro Temple. Along Yoro Koshi-saka Street, restaurants and souvenir shops line the road, where visitors can enjoy local specialties such as hyotan gourds and Yoro cider. Within Yoro Park, there are also a variety of attractions including Yoro Tenmeihantenchi, Gifu Prefectural Children’s Country, and the Yoro Mountain hiking trail, making it an appealing destination where nature, history, and culture can all be enjoyed at once.