Near the southern tip of Kyushu lies Kirishima, a famous, holy place that is part of the founding mythology of Japan. In this area lies Inukai Falls, said to be one of the stops of Ryoma on his honeymoon – the first one in Japan!

Inukai Falls is a 33-metre (approx. 108 ft) waterfall that is 22 metres (72 ft) wide – the largest one in southern Kyushu. It is near the town of Myoken Onsen and is part of the river that has cut this valley in the mountains/volcanoes.

Inukai Falls features a couple of observation points, including one at the top (where the road and parking lot are) and several on the hike down to the foot of the falls, which is approximately 1 km (0.62 miles) down a series of staircases and steep slopes.

When you reach the bottom, you can see the waterfall plunge into a beautiful turqoise pool. When it is sunny, there is also a near-constant rainbow due to the spray of the waterfall. You can see it very clearly as it forms near the level of the lower observation point.

Inukai Falls is said to be one of the points on Ryoma’s and Oryu’s honeymoon. Ryoma and Oryu were important figures in the Meiji Restoration, which restored the power of governance from the Shogunate to the Emperor, creating the government that would create Imperial Japan (the one that later fought in the World Wars). It is said that Oryu saved her husband’s life during the Teradaya Incident in 1866. She confronted would-be assassins and fought against them. Ryoma’s suffered slight injuries. As a result they visited several hotsprings and made several stops in Kagoshima Prefecture, including at Myogen Onsen and Inukai Falls. This was the first honeymoon in Japan.

As it lies on the main road, getting to Inukai Falls is relatively simple, although you will need a car to do so. From Kagoshima City, drive along the coast (route 10) until you get to Kajiki (a town). Turn onto Route 55/56, then take the last couple of kilometres on Route 223. At Myogen Onsen, turn onto Route 470 and Inukai Falls will be on the right. This drive will take you about an hour.

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