[Kanto Touring Spot] [Saitama Prefecture] Bike trip to Marukami Falls! Take a solo trip on a Harley to the top 100 waterfalls in Japan where you can feel the nature of each season.
Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time I went on a Harley tour to Marukami Falls in Saitama Prefecture. Marukami Falls has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls, and you can see an impressive waterfall with a height of 76 meters. This waterfall in the Chichibu area is a spot where you can enjoy seasonal scenery such as fresh greenery and autumn leaves. This time, we departed from central Tokyo and arrived at Marukami Falls in about 3 and a half hours. I would like to introduce the situation along with photos.
Marukami Falls is a waterfall located in Ogano-cho, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture, and is the only waterfall in the prefecture that has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls. The waterfall is divided into three tiers, with a drop of 50 meters at the bottom. Although the amount of water is not large, the way it flows quietly down the slope is very beautiful. There is a 1.5-kilometer promenade around the waterfall, where you can enjoy seasonal nature such as fresh greenery and autumn leaves. There are also other attractions near the waterfall, such as Komori River Valley and Onouchi Valley.
This time, I started from central Tokyo and entered the Kanetsu Expressway from the Metropolitan Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line. I drove north on the Kanetsu Expressway, got off at Hanazono Interchange, and entered National Route 299 via the Nishi-Kanto Connecting Road and National Route 140. From National Route 299, I entered Prefectural Route 37 and drove along the Kurokaito Bypass. After that, I took Prefectural Route 367 and went to Marukami Falls. Along the way, I enjoyed the scenery of the mountains and rivers in the Chichibu area. I especially enjoyed the Black Sea Bypass, which had many curves.
Once you arrive at Marukami Falls, you can walk to the waterfall in about 20 minutes from the parking lot. The promenade is well-maintained and relatively easy to walk, but there are some stairs and slopes in places. Along the way, we took in the views of the Komori River Valley and Onouchi Valley. The Komori River Valley has an abundant amount of water and clear streams, and the Onouchi Valley has a series of strangely shaped rocks and cliffs, each with its own unique charm.
Eventually, Marukami Falls, which is divided into three tiers, came into view. The 50 meter drop at the bottom is impressive. I felt cool with the water spraying on me. You can also climb all the way to the top, but this time I decided to just take in the view from the bottom. I felt the power and beauty that cannot be conveyed in photos.
There is a free parking lot at Marukami Falls, but there is no dedicated space for bikes. The parking lot is spacious, but it can get crowded during the fall foliage season, so we recommend getting there early. Also, the promenade from the parking lot to the waterfall is not paved, so you cannot ride a bike on it.
Summary
This time I went on a Harley tour to Marukami Falls. Marukami Falls has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls, and you can see an impressive waterfall with a height of 76 meters. This waterfall in the Chichibu area is a spot where you can enjoy seasonal scenery such as fresh greenery and autumn leaves. It’s about 3 and a half hours away from central Tokyo, so it’s also recommended for day trips. The road I ride my bike on has many curves and is fun. There are many other attractions around Marukami Falls, so be sure to visit them at least once.
[Kanto Touring Spot] [Saitama Prefecture] Bike trip to Marukami Falls! Take a solo trip on a Harley to the top 100 waterfalls in Japan where you can feel the nature of each season.
