city guide

The best waterfalls in Oguni

A hand-picked guide to 1 of the most stunning waterfalls in Oguni. Each entry below has our personal notes, photos, driving directions and the practical detail you need to plan a visit — from parking and hike lengths to swimming rules and the best time of year to go.

#1 · 20 m drop

Nabegataki Falls

Oguni · Kumamoto · Japan

Nabegataki Falls — hero

Nabegataki Falls, Kumamoto: The Waterfall You Can Walk Behind

If you're heading to Kumamoto and want somewhere a little quieter than the usual stops, I'd put Nabegataki Falls on the list. It's known as the waterfall you can walk behind — you actually stand in a hollow space behind the water and look out through it like a curtain, instead of just viewing it from across the river.

The best part is how it looks from that angle. The water spreads wide and thin across a curved rock ledge rather than dropping straight down, so from behind it, it really does look like a sheer curtain with light filtering through. It's about 10 meters high and 20 meters wide, and it's said to have formed from the same eruption that created the Aso caldera around 90,000 years ago.

Waterfall canyon
Safety first

Stay safe at every waterfall

Wet rocks, hidden currents and fast-changing weather catch out experienced hikers every year. Read our quick safety guide before you head out.

Read safety tips