Again, based on a recommendation from an AI tool, I took a day trip to the Akiu Onsen area using public transport. Visiting an onsen wasn’t really my main agenda—it was the waterfall, Akiu Otaki Waterfall, that I wanted to see. Getting to the Akiu area requires careful planning around the public bus schedule. I took a bus from the Nagamachiminami area. Honestly, I didn’t even know where that was—I just followed Google’s directions.
I arrived in Akiu Onsen town at 9 a.m. Just a short walk from the stop, you can enjoy a view of Rairaikyo Gorge. You can basically walk around the whole town in about 30 minutes. Since I couldn’t locate the public bathhouse, I decided to head to the waterfall. Unfortunately, the bus to the waterfall had already left, and the next one wouldn’t arrive until after lunch. Walking there would’ve taken too long—about 4 km, I think—so I had lunch first.
After lunch, I waited for the bus to the waterfall. It was truly a great sight. If I’d had more time, I would have gone down to the base of the falls. But since the return bus was coming in just half an hour, I had to settle for a distant view. In hindsight, I should have planned the day trip more carefully.
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| Waiting bus to Akiu Onsen area |
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| Rairaikyo Gorge |
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| A section of Akiu Onsen town |
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| Apparently the shop that served this noodle was quite packed during lunch hour |
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| Akiu Otaki Falls |
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| The map to the falls |
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