[Touring Spot] [Yamanashi Prefecture] Bike trip to Toryu Falls! A solo trip on a Harley to the waterfalls of Mt. Yatsugatake where underground water creates a spectacular view
Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I toured from central Tokyo to Toryu Falls in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture on a Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. Toryu Falls is a small waterfall located in the Kawamata River Valley of Kiyosato Plateau, where the abundant underground water of Mt. Yatsugatake comes out of the rocks and flows into the river. With a height of 10 meters and a width of 15 meters, the waterfall has the feel of a Japanese garden, and the many tiers of small waterfalls create an elegant scenery. This time, I would like to introduce what kind of place Toryu Falls is, how to get there, what kind of highlights there are, and what the bike parking lot is like.
Toryu Falls is a waterfall located in Nishiide, Oizumi-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, in the Kawamata River Valley of Kiyosato Plateau. The Kawamata River Valley was formed when groundwater gushed out through the lava layer at the southeastern foot of Mt. Yatsugatake, and you can enjoy the beauty of the valley colored with fresh greenery and autumn leaves. Along the promenade, there are many famous spots such as Senmai-buchi and Tenguiwa Bridge, and if you head further north, you will reach Higashizawa Ohashi Bridge (commonly known as “Red Bridge”), which is one of the best spots for fall foliage in the Kanto region. Toryu Falls is about a 15 minute walk from the promenade. Toryu means water spouted by a dragon, and it is an elegant waterfall where water flows like silk thread from between rocks. It was also used in the opening video of the taiga drama “Toshiie to Matsu ~Kaga Hyakumangoku Monogatari~” that aired on NHK in 2002.
This time I went to Toryu Falls from central Tokyo using the Chuo Expressway. The Chuo Expressway is a comfortable road that allows you to drive from Tokyo while enjoying views of Mt. Yatsugatake and Mt. Fuji. Along the way, there are scenic spots such as Kobutsu Tunnel and Daibosatsu Pass, as well as rest spots such as roadside stations and service areas. To get to Toryu Falls, exit the Chuo Expressway at Nagasaka Interchange and take Prefectural Route 32 and Prefectural Route 28. The prefectural road is narrower than the Chuo Expressway and has many curves and hills, so be careful. Especially as you approach Toryu Falls, the road becomes so narrow that it is difficult for buses to pass. The distance to Toryu Falls is approximately 200 kilometers, and the journey takes approximately 3 hours.
When you arrive at Toryu Falls, the first thing you’ll see is the five rules that climbers follow before entering the promenade from the parking lot. Although Toryu Falls is a tourist destination, it is also a mountain trail, so you need to be careful about what you wear and how you gather information. There are also signs warning of bears, so be sure to bring a bell or something similar. As you enter the promenade, you will be greeted by the clear stream and lush nature of the Kawamata River Valley. Although the promenade is in good condition, the footing is poor and it is littered with stones and roots. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes such as sneakers or trekking shoes. While walking along the promenade, you may come across wild squirrels and birds. I could see the squirrel, but it moved too quickly for me to photograph it. After walking for about 15 minutes from the promenade, you will arrive at Toryu Falls. The waterfall has an elegant appearance with water flowing down from the rocks like silk threads, giving it the feel of a Japanese garden. The basin of the waterfall is blue and clear, and the spray of water is refreshing. There is a large rock in front of the waterfall, and many people sit there to look at the waterfall and take photos. I also sat on a rock and gazed at the waterfall for a while. You can go further upstream from Toryu Falls, but that is a semi-climbing trail and requires additional preparation such as clothing and equipment. Also, there are some sections that are closed to traffic, so you cannot go through the valley to Higashizawa Ohashi Bridge. This time I turned back as far as Toryu Falls, but next time I would like to try upstream as well.
There is a motorcycle parking lot at Toryu Falls, but the parking space is small and can only accommodate about 15 cars. Also, there are no lines drawn, so you need to be considerate of other cars and motorcycles when parking. It can be crowded during the season and on weekends.
Parking is free, but there is no manager.
Summary
This time, I toured from central Tokyo to Toryu Falls in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture on a Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. Toryu Falls is a small waterfall located in the Kawamata River Valley of Kiyosato Plateau, where you can see the graceful appearance of water flowing down from the rocks like silk thread. There are also famous spots along the promenade, such as Senbaibuchi and Tenguiwa Bridge, where you can enjoy the beauty of the valley. Motorcycle parking is free, but space is limited and there are no facilities. Before entering the promenade from the parking lot, we recommend that you obtain maps and pamphlets from the Kawamata River Valley Information Center. There are also shops selling specialty products, making them perfect for souvenirs. Toryu Falls has the feel of a Japanese garden, and is a place where you can quietly feel nature. I was able to enjoy the contrasting scenery of the Chuo Expressway, where I rode my Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. Next time I would like to try upstream.
The above was sent to you by _hiroyuki.ta. This was a record of touring to Toryu Falls on a Harley-Davidson. Thank you for reading until the end.
[Touring Spot] [Yamanashi Prefecture] Bike trip to Toryu Falls! A solo trip on a Harley to the waterfalls of Mt. Yatsugatake where underground water creates a spectacular view
