Harajiri Falls in Oita Prefecture

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Facts & Figures

Harajira Falls located in the Oita prefecture on the vast Ogata Plains are one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls. The beautiful horseshoe-shaped waterfalls are 120 meters wide with a height of 20 meters. Because of this shape it received the nickname Oriental Niagara.  Buy now and Save >
Since 2004 I have traveled nearly every year to Japan. The rail pass made my life easier to discover all those amazing places in my favorite country. You will get the best views of the area from the wooden suspension bridge (Takimi-bashi) nearby. You can also follow a nice walking path which leads along the riverbank and back to the falls.

History

Harajira Falls came into existence by a huge volcanic eruption of the 1592m high Mount Aso approx. 90000 years ago. The rock underneath the water is called Aso ignimbrite, formed by pyroclasts from Mt. Aso.

Sightseeing spots nearby Harajiri Falls

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Michi-no-eki Harajiri-no-Taki - You will find close to the entrance of the waterfall area a Japanese-style roadside service station, where you can try out local specialties like the famous Dango Jiru (dumpling soup) or the Kabosu soft-serve ice cream.

Harajiri Bridge - This stone bridge is just 500m away from the falls. The bridge with a length of 73m was constructed in 1923 and consists of 5 arches.

Ninomiya Hachiman Shrine - The shrine was built during the Heian Period (794 - 1185) and is over 800 years old. Koreyoshi Ogata, a famous local samurai, gave the order for the construction.

Nabegataki Falls - One of the most beautiful waterfalls on Kyushu Island. The height of the falls is 10m and the width 20m.

Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Bridge - It is the highest suspension bridge in Japan only for pedestrians. The bridge was opened for the public in 2006 and has a length of 390m and a height of 173m. The panoramic views from the top are amazing.

Festival & Events in Ogata (dates can change without notice)

April

Oita Ogata Tulip Festival (third Sunday of April)
Enjoy the blooming of more than 500000 tulips. Over 100000 people come to this festival every year to see the beautiful scenery. Ogata-machi is located in Bungo Ono city of Oita.