Discover the Hidden Gems of Biwa Waterfall and Iya Valley Stream

The summer heat was almost unbearable. After crossing the historic Iya Vine Bridge, which has stood for over a century, we noticed a sign nearby pointing toward Biwa Waterfall (Biwa-no-taki), just a one-minute walk away. With many visitors heading in the same direction, we decided to follow and check it out. We love visiting waterfalls and streams in the summer to cool off, so this sounded perfect.

From the bridge, we could see Iya Valley Stream below, where numerous visitors were enjoying the water under the blazing sun. It’s admirable how both kids and adults here seem unfazed by the summer heat. With plenty of shaded spots available, we headed downhill to explore further.

Soon, Biwa Waterfall came into view. The small waterfall reminded us of Zhiben Forest Trail Waterfall in Taitung, Taiwan. Like that one, Biwa Waterfall allows visitors to dip their feet into the water. Our family took a break here to relax and beat the heat.

▲The water at Biwa Waterfall is crystal clear.

Across from the waterfall, there’s a safety railing with a commemorative plaque for the completion of the Zen-toku embankment. It’s likely that there were no railings here before, but now the added safety measures, including the path leading to the stream below, make it much easier to explore. At the stream, we saw families with children enjoying the shallow waters, having the time of their lives. The crystal-clear water was so inviting that, if not for the intense sun, I might have joined them.

The shallow stream is filled with beautiful stones, and there’s another path leading from the railing down to the water. From there, you can spot the iconic Iya Vine Bridge spanning across the valley in the distance.

Upstream, the water flows beautifully. Using a zoom lens, I captured photos of the serene view. This area has deeper water, waist-high in some spots, and mostly attracts young adults. Some couples were even helping each other cross the stream.

After soaking in the sights of the stream, we returned to Biwa Waterfall to rest in the shade. The cool, sun-free spot, paired with refreshing drinks and good company, was perfect.

I then remembered my underwater camera and decided to try it out. Curious about what might be lurking beneath the waterfall’s pool, I found a few small fish swimming around. The biodiversity here is truly impressive.