Kegon waterfall

Nikko is known as "the land of 48 waterfalls" but while many waterfalls can be found here, the Kegon waterfall is the most famous of all. Kegon Falls, once called the Ejiri Falls, is said to have formed 20,000 years ago and considered as one of Japan 's three famous waterfalls. With water cascading down to Chuzenji Lake from the quay 97 meters up, it is a splendid natural sight to behold.

Over 100 years ago, you could only see the waterfall from a distance. But around the year 1900, a teahouse was opened near the basin of the waterfall, and it is now possible to see the waterfall close up. Then, in the year 1930, some of the hard rock was carved out to make way for an elevator. You can take the elevator up to the "Kanbaku-dai,” a deck that puts you right next to the falls where you can feel as if the water is crashing onto you. In 1931, it was chosen as a select scenic spot of Japan, and in 1990, it made it to the "Japan's 100 Waterfalls" list.