Ryusei-no-Taki Fall and Ginga-no-Taki Fall are popular sightseeing attractions in Sounkyo.
Ryusei-no-Taki still has water flowing over it, but Ginga-no-Taki has already frozen.
Although the two falls are situated side-by-side now, Ginga-no-Taki existed even before the appearance of Ryusei-no-Taki.
A major cause behind the formation of Ryusei-no-Taki was an eruption near Mikurasawa, on the eastern side of Mt. Hokkaidake. Beginning between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago, the eruption caused lava to bury a separate valley that once existed next to Ginga-no-Taki. Later, new valleys formed on both ends of the lava, and rain and snowmelt became streams that flowed into the valleys.
Over many years, the lava was eroded and the current Ryusei-no-Taki came to be.
The source waters for Ginga-no-Taki come from the Metakinosawa and Takinosawa streams that originate some 4 km from Mt. Aka, while those for Ryusei-no-Taki come from the Eboshidakenosawa and Odakinosawa streams that originate roughly 9 km from Mt. Hakuun.
Ginga-no-Taki has a height of 120 meters and Ryusei-no-Taki a height of 90 meters. While most impressive when flowing, the falls also present a rather mysterious appearance when frozen.
Photos: Ryusei-no-Taki (left) and Ginga-no-Taki (right) Dec. 26
Ryusei-no-Taki still has water flowing over it, but Ginga-no-Taki has already frozen.
Although the two falls are situated side-by-side now, Ginga-no-Taki existed even before the appearance of Ryusei-no-Taki.
A major cause behind the formation of Ryusei-no-Taki was an eruption near Mikurasawa, on the eastern side of Mt. Hokkaidake. Beginning between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago, the eruption caused lava to bury a separate valley that once existed next to Ginga-no-Taki. Later, new valleys formed on both ends of the lava, and rain and snowmelt became streams that flowed into the valleys.
Over many years, the lava was eroded and the current Ryusei-no-Taki came to be.
The source waters for Ginga-no-Taki come from the Metakinosawa and Takinosawa streams that originate some 4 km from Mt. Aka, while those for Ryusei-no-Taki come from the Eboshidakenosawa and Odakinosawa streams that originate roughly 9 km from Mt. Hakuun.
Ginga-no-Taki has a height of 120 meters and Ryusei-no-Taki a height of 90 meters. While most impressive when flowing, the falls also present a rather mysterious appearance when frozen.
Photos: Ryusei-no-Taki (left) and Ginga-no-Taki (right) Dec. 26
