【To the Cool of the Secret Realm】Dog Outing Walk! Tokyo's Only Selection of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls "Hossawa Falls" for Summer Hiking

As the temperature rises, you find yourself troubled about where to take your beloved dog. This time, we stopped by "Hossawa Falls," which is the only selection of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls in Tokyo. The path to the waterfall was refreshing, and it was a pleasant distance of about 30 minutes round trip, perfect for small dogs. It was the ideal outing spot for my heat-sensitive dog.

About an hour and a half by car from Tokyo Station, to Hossawa Falls

As the temperature has been rising, I've been struggling with outings with my beloved dog. While searching for a cool place to take my dog for walks, I stumbled upon Hossawa Falls in Hinokubo Village, Tokyo, on social media. It's the only waterfall in Tokyo chosen as one of Japan's top hundred waterfalls, located about an hour and a half by car from Tokyo Station, making it an easily accessible day trip destination from the Tokyo area.

The area around Hossawa Falls is surrounded by lush nature, and it's said to be cool even in summer. This is perfect for my dog, who doesn't do well in the heat! So, I decided to go check it out right away.

Hossawa Falls (ほっさわのたき)
Location: 5545 Honjuku, Hinokubo Village, Nishi-Tama District, Tokyo

It seems to be crowded on weekends, but this time I visited during the day on a weekday. The dedicated parking lot (28 parking spaces) was about 80% full. It might be necessary to be cautious as it can become fully booked during summer holidays and weekends.

The perceived temperature is about 5 degrees cooler compared to the parking lot, and it feels refreshing already from the promenade.

The walking path is in a pleasantly shaded area, much cooler compared to the parking lot that was exposed to strong sunlight. It feels about 5 degrees lower, and my heat-sensitive dog seems to enjoy walking here comfortably. There are also few tourists, which adds to the spacious and relaxed atmosphere.

The ground is covered with wood chips, making it a gentle path for my dog's legs and joints. Even during the day, it's not hot, so there's no worry about burns, allowing me to walk with peace of mind.

As we walk along, we discover the gallery café "Yamabiko." The shaved ice listed on the grand menu looked delicious, and I wanted to get it to go, but unfortunately, it was closed that day.

Continuing toward the Hara River Falls, a building with a retro atmosphere comes into view. This is the woodworking shop "Mori no Sasayaki." It’s a souvenir shop that was relocated and renovated from the Hinobara Post Office, showcasing woodworking products made from timber from Hinobara Village. Unfortunately, this place was also closed that day.

Right next to the walking path, a river flows, allowing for a delightful stroll while being healed by the pleasant babbling of the water. However, there were some areas without handrails, which made things a bit tense for those with a fear of heights. I held onto the leash tighter than usual.

As I climbed higher, I saw the breathtakingly beautiful Harasawa River. This is the river that has been playing a soothing melody all this time. The sunlight reflects off the surface of the water, glittering and shining brightly.

In summer, when I see a river, I can't help but want to dip my feet in it. My beloved dog always plays in the pool, so he tends to jump in, but the Harasawa River is also used as water for daily living, so swimming and entering the water are prohibited. Pets are not allowed to enter the water either.

Harasawa Falls is stunning! And even cooler.

After about a 15-minute walk, I arrived at Harasawa Falls. The total drop is 62 meters. From the vicinity of the waterfall's base, you can only see the bottommost tier among the four, but it is still an impressive sight! Along with the surrounding nature, a breathtakingly beautiful view spreads out before me.

While walking on the promenade, I only passed a few groups, but the area around the waterfall's base was bustling with many people. The promenade was already more than cool enough, but this area around the waterfall felt several times cooler. My dog, seeing the waterfall for the first time, was quite surprised at first, but seemed to enjoy the negative ions and quickly switched to relaxation mode.

The "Harasawa Falls" trail takes only about 30 minutes round trip, so even small dogs can easily enjoy a stroll while taking in the pure flow of water and nature. The "Harasawa Falls hometown summer festival," held every August, features a dreamy light-up display, so please be sure to check it out as well.

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