ABOUT
About this spot
Sankai Falls hangs in the mountains near Mt. Zao in Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture. It belongs to the Sumikawa river system, is 181 m high and 7 m wide, and drops in three tiers. It is sometimes described as one of the finest tiered falls in the Tohoku region, and it is among Japan's 100 best waterfalls. Rather than approaching the fall itself, most visitors view it from the Takimidai viewpoint on the Zao Echo Line, across the Sumikawa River. A viewing platform has been built there, and from it you can look across at the water tumbling down the slope in three steps. The area is known for its autumn colors, and when the trees change, the fall stands out against the hillside. Autumn color reports for the area around the viewpoint are posted on the Zao Town Tourism Association website. The same viewpoint also shows Fudo Falls, upstream on the Sumikawa. Fudo Falls is 54 m high and 16 m wide, with a plunge pool 32 m deep, so you can see two falls at once. The naked eye is enough, but binoculars or a telephoto lens help because the falls are far away. The viewpoint is closed in winter. Parts of the Zao Echo Line are also closed for the winter, usually from early November to late April, and night closures start in late October, so check road conditions before you go. On the Miyagi side the road opened in 1962, and it has been toll-free since 1985. Along it are other falls such as Jizo Falls and Fukaeri Falls, as well as scenic spots such as Komakusadaira and Karita Pass (1,606 m), so the drive itself is part of the trip. By car, the viewpoint is just after you enter the Zao Echo Line from Togatta Onsen, about 35 minutes from Zao Town Hall. By public transport, take a Miyagi Kotsu bus from JR Shiroishi-Zao Station to the Takimidai stop. Allow 30 minutes to an hour for views and photos. The Echo Line continues toward Zao Okama crater lake (about 7 km in a straight line), so the two are easy to plan together.
Last updated October 24, 2026