Sanbondaki Falls
The three falls of Sanbondaki are all part of a single river running through the Norikura Kogen highlands. The falls pour over the edge of a solidified lava plateau into the river basin below, with the drops ranging from 50 to 60 meters. The three falls are collectively recognized by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the Top 100 Waterfalls of Japan.
The three waterfalls are quite distinct. The smallest one, on the left, is a slow trickle over a sheer drop. The second-largest waterfall, in the center, consists of a single powerful cascade into the river. The rightmost and largest of the falls spreads across numerous rock shelves as it makes its way down, covering a wider area than the other two falls combined. In the past, Buddhist priests would gaze at these falls as they chanted mantras.
Rainbows often appear here in the morning as sunlight passes through the spray. In the winter, all three waterfalls freeze solid. The sight has become a popular attraction for snow hikers, as the lower altitude also means the weather is milder here than farther up the mountains.