Kawazu Seven Waterfalls: Guide to Hiking Izu’s Nanadaru

Are you planning a visit to the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls but are unsure what to expect? These natural wonders have been 25,000 years in the making, so believe me when I say they’re absolutely worth the trip!

Also known as Nanadaru 河津七滝 in Japanese, during my recent visit to the Izu Peninsula I decided to dedicate an afternoon to visiting the falls at a leisurely pace. 

Each waterfall is uniquely shaped and beautiful in its own way, with dark columnar joints framing many of the falls that reminded me of areas in far-flung Kyushu. Can you believe it’s just a few hours from the concrete jungle of Tokyo?

Kawazu Seven Waterfalls: Guide to Hiking Izu's Nanadaru | The Invisible Tourist

But how do you get to Kawazu? Are the falls mobility or accessibility-friendly? How much time do you need? And what should you not miss?

I’ll answer all these questions and more in this Kawazu Waterfalls guide. I’ll also share plenty of tips to help you make the most of your visit. And, to find out what I wish I knew beforehand, read on for more!

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Kawazu Seven Waterfalls: Guide to Hiking Izu's Nanadaru | The Invisible Tourist
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Where are the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls?

Kawazu 河津町 lies inland on the southern Izu Peninsula. An overlooked gem between busy Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s one of my favourite areas for avoiding overtourism in Japan.

From Shimoda, Kawazu Seven Waterfalls can be reached in 25 mins by car. More info on how to get there from other locations down the page.

TIP: It’s ideal to pair the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls hike with a day trip to nearby Shimoda, you can read more in my Izu Peninsula itinerary.

Kawazu Seven Waterfalls Map
Kawazu Seven Waterfalls Map

Experiencing each of the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls

Splitting off from the Kawazu River, the seven daru 滝 (Izu dialect) waterfalls are dotted along the smaller Hontani River. From the first to seventh waterfall is a total of about 1.3kms, so 2.6kms round-trip.

You don’t need to purchase tickets, it’s free to walk. The exception to this is an onsen with waterfall view — more on this under Odaru Falls down the page. Here’s the offical map (sorry the signboard was a bit dirty!)

At each of the waterfalls is one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese folklore. Beside each Lucky God stone statue is a stamp to commemorate your visit. Leave a coin and make a wish to your favourite!

One of the Seven Lucky God stone statues at Kawazu Falls, Izu

NOTE: Some sections of this hike are not mobility friendly, including slippery stairs, a suspension bridge and rocky paths. Beneath each waterfall below I’ll share more details about its access.

Let’s begin!

Deaidaru Falls

  • Size: 2 metres high, 2 metres wide, 18 metres long
  • Accessibility: 80 metres down, mobility friendly to an extent
  • Japanese: 出合滝

From the nearby carpark, it’s easy to miss the entrance to this one as it’s a narrow gap in a fence. Head down the first few steps and follow the bamboo-lined pathway for a few moments.

The concrete pathway slopes downwards before transiting into slippery rocky steps, up until this section would likely be ok mobility-wise. Although, the views are obscured from the trees and bamboo.

Deai-daru Falls was one of my favourites of the day, its name means Meeting Waterfall as two streams meet here and become one. The curved, black columnar joints framing the waterfall reminded me of beautiful Takachiho Gorge in Kyushu!

Deaidaru, Kawazu Seven Waterfalls, Izu Japan

Kanidaru Falls

  • Size: 2 metres high, 1 metres wide, 15 metres long
  • Accessibility: 30 metres down, a number of steps before a well-trodden sloped dirt pathway
  • Japanese: カニ滝

Also known as the Crab Waterfall, Kani-daru is one of the smaller Kawazu 7 Waterfalls. This name is due to the resemblance of crab shells in the rocky formations surrounding its waters.

A mossy green backdrop creates a nice contrast against the white running water, don’t you agree?

Heading back up onto the main Odoriko Path lined with Japanese maple trees, in between Kanidaru and the following Shokeidaru is The Wishing Rock.

This old pebble game is said to grant a wish if you can throw three pebbles into the “hand” formed within a large boulder. Three pebbles cost 100 yen.

Wishing Rock at Kawazu Falls, Izu

Between Kanidaru and Wishing Rock, Kawazu 7 Waterfalls Japan

Shokeidaru Falls

  • Size: 10 metres high, 7 metres wide
  • Accessibility: Can easily be seen from the flat concrete Odoriko Path
  • Japanese: 初景滝

Thought to be the most picturesque of the seven falls for photos, the area surrounding Shokeidaru is known as the setting for the 1926 novel “The Izu Dancer.”

Easily accessible on a concrete path with slight slope, it would be fine for anyone facing mobility challenges. Preceding the falls are two bronze statues dressed in clothing from the novel’s era named “The Dancer and I.”

Shokeidaru, Kawazu 7 Waterfalls

Hebidaru Falls 

  • Size: 3 metres high, 2 metres wide, 25 metres long
  • Accessibility: Dozens of wooden stairs and winding concrete pathway with a narrow trough of water flowing beside it
  • Japanese: 蛇滝

The smaller Hebidaru is known as Snake Waterfall, its surrounding rock formations similar to the scales on a snake. Enormous vines twisted into unusual shapes are an interesting sight along the way. 

Ebidaru Falls

  • Size: 5 metres high, 3 metres wide
  • Accessibility: Cross a wavy suspension bridge to reach it
  • Japanese: エビ滝

Meaning prawn (shrimp) in Japanese, Ebidaru is slightly curved in its appearance. Similar to a prawn’s arched tail, the falls get its name of Shrimp Waterfall from this small sea creature.

Kamadaru Falls

  • Size: 22 metres high, 2 metres wide
  • Accessibility: Layered staircases and a lengthy platform
  • Japanese: 釜滝

And now for the final boss! Or is it? Traversing winding staircases and crossing a lengthy platform to reach it, it’s impossible to stay dry at Kamadaru Falls as the amount of spray is wild.

This enormous rock formation reminded me of a theatre stage, immersing me in a 180 degree view of Mother Nature’s glory. The power coming from these falls is insane, so please be extra careful here!

From here you can continue on a hike further afield, but otherwise it’s time to head back towards the car park.

Odaru Falls

  • Size: 30 metres high, 2 metres wide
  • Accessibility: Layered staircases and a lengthy platform
  • Japanese: 大滝

On your way back to the carpark, don’t make the mistake I did. I thought I had visited the seven falls, however only after I’d left I realised I missed one – its entrance was in the opposite direction to the car park!

Odaru Falls are the highest in the Izu Peninsula. It gives me an excuse to go back, right?

A cool feature here is the open-air onsen bath overlooking the falls. This can be accessed through Amagiso Onsen, the cost to enter is 1000 yen. If you wish to bathe, you’ll need to wear a swimsuit, and either rent a towel for 100 yen or bring your own.

NOTE: Amagiso Onsen opening hours 10:00 – 16:00 Thursday to Tuesday, closed on Wednesdays.

However there is an elevated pathway to view the falls if you would rather not have a soak in the onsen.

Yamaguchi Yoshiaki, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Tips for visiting Kawazu Seven Waterfalls

Before setting out on your Kawazu Seven Waterfalls hike, here are some important things to note:

  • Allow around two hours to complete the journey to all seven falls, longer if you wish to bathe at Amagiso Onsen at the end.
  • Wear shoes with a good grip! The pathways vary from paved concrete to rocky and uneven. Water spray is constantly coating them as well as leaf litter. Tread carefully to avoid slipping.
  • Large free parking lot just 5 minutes walk from the start.
  • Bring water and snacks as there isn’t much along the pathway except for some fresh produce with honesty boxes for payment. However there are a few small stores at the start.
  • Don’t forget your goshuin (stamp book) if you wish to receive the commemorative stamp at each waterfall. This is something I wish I did!
  • If you have time afterwards, find the original Kawazu cherry tree believed to be which all other Kawazu cherry trees descended from.

Wishing Rock at Kawazu Seven Waterfalls, Izu

How to get to Kawazu Seven Falls

Here’s how to reach the Kawazu Falls by car, on a private day tour or by public transport:

By car

Due to limited public transport, it’s beneficial to hire a car in the Izu Peninsula to access off the beaten path areas such as this. Read all the essentials in my guide to driving in Japan for tourists.

TIP: For Parking, type “Kawazu Seven Falls Parking Lot” into Google Maps to navigate to the nearest parking to the falls. Once you pass beneath the huge Kawazu Nanataki Loop Bridge (huge spiral overpass) if coming from the south, you’re nearly there.

Kawazu Nanataki Loop Bridge, Kawazu, Izu Japan

Day tour

  • Private tour with Discover Izu
    If you don’t have a car, I highly recommend Jimmy from Discover Izu Tours! He showed me around Izu for two days on a private tour, you won’t find anyone more knowledgeable or passionate about this peninsula. Exclusively for my readers, choose a themed tour or create a personalised one using code INVISIBLE5 for 5% off any tour at DiscoverIzu.com!

By public transport

  • From Tokyo
    It’s going to take around 3 hours to get here from Tokyo, this is with a good train connection and bus. So I do advise staying elsewhere in Izu at least overnight. Take the JR Odoriko Line from Tokyo Station to Kawazu Station, then the Tokai C50 bus for 25 minutes to Kawazu Nanataki Onsen stop.
  • From Atami
    Approx 70 minutes by JR Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko express train, or 90 minutes by JR/Izukyu local services including “Blackship” and “Golden Eye Snapper” scenic trains to Kawazu Station. Then, take the Tokai C50 bus for 25 minutes to Kawazu Nanataki Onsen stop.
  • From Shimoda
    11 minutes by Jr Odoriko, 14 minutes by Izukyu local services to Kawazu Station, then the Tokai C50 bus for 25 minutes to Kawazu Nanataki Onsen stop.

Concluding this guide to Kawazu Nanadaru Waterfalls

That’s a wrap for the Kawazu Nanadaru! Even if you are not the fittest hiker or face mobility challenges, now you know which of the falls you’ll be able to visit based on your abilities.

Plan your Kawazu trip using car, public transport or even a private guide to share more about this incredible area. As you can see there are so many Japanese waterfalls to discover, especially in Izu! Will you try walking the seven waterfalls loop? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Feeling social? Join my free Japan Off the Beaten Path Facebook Group and come and join me on Facebook, PinterestInstagram, YouTube and TikTok for more Japan inspiration!

Until next time,
The Invisible Tourist


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Kawazu Seven Falls: Guide to Hiking Izu's Nanadaru | The Invisible Tourist

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