Sekinoo Taki Waterfall

Sekinoo Falls is located upstream of the Shonai River in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It is a large waterfall measuring 18 meters in height and 40 meters in width. A suspension bridge is built directly in front of the falls, allowing you to observe the rushing water and plunge pool up close while bathing in abundant negative ions. Depending on temperature, humidity, and sunlight, you may even see a large rainbow. The site features “Male Falls” and “Female Falls” and is listed among Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. Upstream is a remarkable pothole group (ōketsu-gun) formed when clear streams from the Kirishima Mountains entered pyroclastic-flow strata created about 340,000 years ago and, over long time, carved out the formations. It is considered extremely rare even worldwide from a geological standpoint, and in 1928 it was designated a National Natural Monument. Access: by public transportation, from JR Nippo Main Line “Miyakonojo Station,” walk 3 minutes to the “Kitabara” bus stop, take the bus bound for “Kirishima Jingu-mae” for about 30 minutes, and get off at “Sekinootaki” (right nearby). By car, about 20 minutes from Miyazaki Expressway “Miyakonojo IC.”