Tarudaki Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Kijimadaira Village, Nagano Prefecture, surrounded by the rich natural scenery of northern Shinshu. Located along the upper reaches of the Taru River, the site is known for three distinctive waterfalls: Odaki Falls, Medaki Falls, and the remarkable “Phantom Waterfall”, which appears only at specific times of the year.
Each waterfall has a different character. The powerful Odaki Falls plunges dramatically through the forest, Medaki Falls creates a gentler and more mysterious atmosphere, and the Phantom Waterfall appears only twice a year, creating a spectacular seasonal sight.
Tarudaki Falls is located near the junction of National Route 403 and Nagano Prefectural Route 451. Nearby is Tamadaki Fudoson, a small shrine associated with the waterfalls and surrounded by a peaceful natural setting.
Odaki Falls, also known as Otaki or O-Tarudaki, is the main waterfall of Tarudaki. The Taru River flows directly over the falls just below the shrine, creating a powerful cascade approximately 23 meters high and 5 meters wide.
The water crashes down over the rocky surface with impressive force, allowing visitors to experience the power of the mountain stream at close range.
A bridge crosses above the waterfall and serves as a passage between the National Route 403 side and the shrine. Looking down at Odaki Falls from the bridge offers a striking view of the water rushing through the gorge below.
Medaki Falls, also known as Onna-daki or Me-Tarudaki, lies a short distance downstream from Odaki Falls, directly beneath the former Takimibashi Bridge.
The waterfall is approximately 5 meters high and 5 meters wide. Its broad waterfall basin and relatively gentle flow create a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the dramatic power of Odaki Falls.
Medaki Falls is also surrounded by an old legend. Local tradition tells of a giant serpent living in the waterfall, adding a mysterious quality to the scenery.
The most unusual feature of Tarudaki is the “Phantom Waterfall.” It appears only twice a year: on May 8 and around mid-October during the autumn foliage season.
The Phantom Waterfall reaches approximately 50 meters in height. It appears across the Taru River from the road, cascading down an approximately 80-meter-high rock wall.
Unlike a naturally occurring waterfall, the Phantom Waterfall has a fascinating connection with the area’s hydroelectric infrastructure. In 1923, water leaking from a waterway that carried water to the Tarukawa Power Station operated by Chubu Electric Power happened to form a waterfall on the cliff.
The waterfall disappeared after a different waterway was completed in 1984. However, local residents and photography enthusiasts wanted to see it return. In response, controlled water releases began in 1987, allowing the Phantom Waterfall to reappear twice a year.
Every May 8, visitors travel from outside the region specifically to see this unusual spectacle. Local folklore even says that seeing the Phantom Waterfall brings good fortune, and couples sometimes visit together to experience the mysterious seasonal sight.
Odaki Falls is associated with a mysterious local legend known as “Odaki no Ogai.” According to the story, people who approached the waterfall in the evening were believed to be pulled into the waterfall basin by a mysterious creature said to live beneath the water.
Such stories reflect an older tradition in which powerful waterfalls and deep pools were regarded as mysterious places inhabited by supernatural beings.
Another well-known legend concerns the giant serpent said to have become the guardian of Medaki Falls.
According to the tale, a giant serpent once lived in a waterfall at Kashio in Iiyama. As the serpent grew larger over the years, its home became too small. One night, it appeared in a monk’s dream and asked to move to Medaki Falls.
The monk and local villagers prepared eight horses and transported the serpent to Medaki Falls. From then on, the serpent was said to have become the master of the waterfall.
The legend also connects the serpent with rainfall. Whenever Kashio suffered from a shortage of water, villagers were said to pray for rain at Medaki Falls, after which rain would come to the area.
Tarudaki Falls is particularly fascinating because its landscape combines natural beauty with human history. Odaki and Medaki are natural waterfalls shaped by the Taru River, while the Phantom Waterfall was created through the unexpected interaction between a man-made waterway and the natural cliff.
The decision to release water twice a year also demonstrates how local residents have helped preserve an unusual landscape that might otherwise have disappeared.
Tarudaki Falls offers a different atmosphere throughout the year. In spring, fresh green foliage surrounds the waterfalls, while autumn brings brilliant colors to the mountain landscape.
The most unusual seasonal experience is, of course, the appearance of the Phantom Waterfall. The limited dates make it a particularly special sight for visitors who plan their trip around the waterfall’s annual water releases.
Tarudaki Falls can be reached in approximately 20 minutes by car from the Toyota-Iiyama Interchange on the Joshin’etsu Expressway. The drive passes through peaceful mountain scenery, making the journey itself part of the experience.
For visitors using public transportation, Tarudaki Falls is approximately 20 minutes by taxi from JR Iiyama Station. Because taxis may not always be readily available in the mountain area, advance reservation is recommended.
Tarudaki Falls is a remarkable destination where waterfalls, mountain scenery, local legends, and human ingenuity come together.
Odaki Falls impresses visitors with its powerful 23-meter cascade, while Medaki Falls offers a quieter and more mysterious atmosphere. The Phantom Waterfall is the site’s most extraordinary feature, appearing only twice a year as water is deliberately released onto the mountainside.
Combined with the legends of giant serpents and mysterious creatures, the waterfalls have an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly. For travelers exploring Kijimadaira Village and northern Nagano, Tarudaki Falls offers an opportunity to experience both the beauty of nature and the stories that local communities have passed down through generations.