Hiryu Falls

Hiryu Falls in Hakone drops in two stages through dense forest: a 15-meter upper fall hits a rock pool, then plunges another 25 meters before disappearing into the greenery below. Historical records show the falls have been significant since the Kamakura period, when Buddhist priests used the icy water for ascetic training, meditating beneath the flow to purify the mind. Reaching them still requires some effort: a 45-minute hike from Hatajuku or a 30-minute downhill walk from the Ashinoyu area. Both trails are unpaved and can be slippery. Arriving in the morning gives the best light through the canopy.