Trivia quiz about Kegon Falls. Deepen your knowledge of Nikko’s tourist attractions!

97 meters

Kegon Falls has a drop of 97 meters. In Japan, there are many waterfalls with drops exceeding 100 meters, and some even boast drops of over 300 meters. However, thanks to its elegant presence and other qualities, Kegon Falls is chosen as one of Japan’s Three Great Waterfalls.

Otani River

Kegon Falls, one of the waterfalls that represent Nikko National Park, flows into the Daiya River. As the Daiya River runs through this area and continues downstream to join the Kinugawa River, it creates a variety of natural landscapes. Incidentally, the official name of the river upstream from Kegon Falls is not the Daiya River but the Oshiri River.

From the Avatamsaka Sutra

It is said that the name of Kegon Falls comes from the Avatamsaka Sutra, one of the Buddhist scriptures. The Avatamsaka Sutra is a Mahayana Buddhist text, and the Kegon school arose based on it. The Kegon school is also known as the sect of Todai-ji in Nara Prefecture.

Akechidaira Observatory

The answer is the Akechidaira Observatory. Located at an elevation of 1,377 meters, it offers sweeping views not only of Kegon Falls but also of Lake Chuzenji and the surrounding mountains, and is known as one of Nikko’s most iconic scenic spots.

Soseki Natsume

Misao Fujimura is known for the incident in which he attempted suicide by jumping at Kegon Falls during the Meiji era, and his mentor was Natsume Sōseki. For Fujimura, Natsume Sōseki was an important figure who had a profound impact not only on his literary development but also on his outlook on life.

Chuzenji Dam

The Chūzenji Dam is responsible for regulating the water flow of Kegon Falls. Built on the Ōshiri River, a tributary of the Kinugawa River—an authorized Class A river in the Tone River system—the dam not only controls flooding but also maintains a constant flow to preserve the scenery of Kegon Falls.

Lake Chuzenji

The water of Kegon Falls flows out from Lake Chuzenji, and the lake’s water drops 97 meters to form the falls. Throughout the four seasons, the waterfall displays a variety of expressions, captivating visitors all year round.