Gandate Gorge & Osaka Waterfalls
巌立峡・小坂の滝
The Gandate gorge, a 72-metre-high wall of columnar joints formed by Mount Ontake lava, plus more than 200 waterfalls in the area. Guided waterfall tours are available.
Osaka-machi lies north of Gero, on the western foot of Mount Ontake. About 50,000 years ago, lava from Mount Ontake erupted and cooled to form many columnar joints and more than 200 waterfalls with drops of over 5 m, earning it the nickname 'Land of Waterfalls'. At the entrance is Gandate, a columnar-jointed rock wall about 72 m high and 120 m wide, designated a prefectural natural monument. Trails from Gandate Gorge lead to Sannoh Falls, Gasshō Falls and others. The largest, Negao Falls, with a drop of about 63 m, must be visited separately. The NPO Osaka Waterfall Tours runs guided tours of varying difficulty, including canyoning, and in winter there are ice-waterfall tours. It's about 30 minutes by car from Gero, and Gandate Park is free.
Opening hours
Open all day (guided groups require reservation)
Nearby sights
- Zenshoji Temple
- Gero Onsen Gassho Village
- Onsen-ji Temple
- Gero Onsen Town & Yumeguri
- Gero Museum of Hot Springs
- Kaeru Shrine
- Gero Funsen-ike & Hida River
- Nakayama Shichiri Gorge