Funaotaki Falls rests quietly at the foot of Mt. Soma in the Haruna mountain range of Gunma Prefecture.
Embraced by deep forest, the waterfall plunges 72 meters down a sheer cliff, its torrent filling the valley with a thunderous roar.
This site was once regarded as the dwelling place of the gods, a sacred realm forbidden to human entry. Over time, the ancient name Funyū (“No Entry”) transformed into Funao (“Boat’s Tail”), giving rise to the waterfall’s present name. The long-held faith and legends of the area still linger, cloaking the falls in an atmosphere of reverence that transcends the ages.
In 2019, a powerful typhoon caused landslides around the cliffs near the falls, restricting access to certain areas. Though visitors can no longer approach the basin itself, the flowing waters downstream create delicate ice formations in midwinter—ephemeral sculptures that, in their fragile beauty, stand in quiet contrast to the wild force of the cascade.
Even now, Funaotaki continues to flow with timeless dignity, its pure stream resonating in the depths of the mountains.
A secluded waterfall cradled by the forest—between silence and thunder, it offers moments where one may forget the passage of time.