Yokoyakyo - Nagano, Japan
I’m not sure how I first found out about the Yokoyakyo hike, but after reading a bit about it, I knew I wanted to give it a try. From the limited information available, I gathered that it wouldn’t be too difficult since the trail passes by several resort hotels.
I took a bus from Chino Station and got off about five minutes from the Yokoyakyo trailhead. There’s a public toilet, an information centre, and a soba shop right by the bus stop. The trail was blanketed in fallen leaves, and within minutes I reached my first waterfall, Otome Falls. It’s small but lovely, framed by vibrant autumn colours. Because it’s so close to the nearby resorts, there were quite a few people around.
Continuing along the colourful forest path, I soon arrived at Kirifuri Falls. It’s smaller than the more famous Nikko waterfall of the same name, but the surrounding cliffs and rock formations made it worth the stop. From there, I continued to Otaki Falls, a two-tiered cascade. From the viewpoint it wasn’t very striking, likely due to the low water flow at this time of year.
Most visitors turned back at Otaki Falls, but I kept going toward Oshidori-gakushi Falls. The path down was a little slippery but manageable. This ended up being the most beautiful waterfall of the day. There’s even a ryokan nearby that offers day-use for onsen guests.
Finally, I walked to Mishaka Pond, famous for its mirror-like reflections of the surrounding trees. It was a bit windy that day, so the water rippled instead of forming a perfect reflection. The large parking area was filled with tour buses, but I still took a quiet moment to enjoy the view before heading back to the trailhead and catching the bus to Chino Station.
Background
Yokoyakyo Gorge (横谷峡) is located in Chino, Nagano Prefecture, within the Yatsugatake mountain range. Known for its scenic waterfalls and vivid seasonal colours, the gorge has long been a popular retreat among visitors to the nearby Tateshina Highlands. The trail follows the Yokoya River and passes several waterfalls, including Otome, Kirifuri, Otaki, and Oshidori-gakushi Falls. The area’s ryokans and onsen have been welcoming travellers since the early 20th century, offering a relaxing escape amid nature’s beauty. Mishaka Pond, often featured in paintings and photography, adds a peaceful finale to the hike.
Getting There
You can reach Chino Station by train, car, or taxi. The most common option is taking the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo— a direct limited express train that takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. I stayed near Shimo-Suwa Station, and from there it was an 11-minute ride on the JR Chuo Line. Once you arrive at Chino Station, take the Märchen Road Bus to the Yokoyakyo bus stop.
Route Overview
Distance: 10.55 km out & back (Yokoyakyo Bus Stop)
Total elevation gain: 548 m
Duration: 2 hr 49 min (with breaks 3 hr 14 min)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cost Breakdown
Train: Shimo-Suwa Station → Chino Station — ¥240
Bus: Chino Station → Yokoyakyo Bus Stop — ¥1,000
Vending Machine: ¥140
