 1. Materia Falls
 2. Arangachi
Falls
 3. Funangyo Falls
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y WATERFALLS OF AMAMI z
If you trek or drive in the mountains during the rainy season, you will
be able to hear refreshing sounds of swollen rapids here and there. The
highest mountain in Amami is Yuwandake, Uken-son, which is no higher than
694 meters. Therefore we have few magnificent waterfalls as seen on the
Mainland. Still there are lots of known and unknown attractive waterfalls.
Here, I would like to introduce you to four of them that have local names.
1. Materia Falls
This fall is part of the upstream
Sumiyo River and located near the campsite called "Forestpolis" in Yamato-son.
It cascades down quite a short distance, but its basin is the largest in Amami.
You can get there in ten minutes or so by car from Naon Village.
2. Arangachi
Falls
This fall is just behind Arangachi Village, Uken-son. The crest
of the fall is pretty high and its water volume overwhelms you. Drive along
the brook by the village for a minute and pull over in front of the entrance
to an orange grove. Then you will hear the roar of Arangachi Falls. This
is most easily accessible.
3. Funangyo Falls
It is said Funangyo once meant a
forest where villagers of Kawauchi, Sumiyo-cho, logged trees to build their
fishing boats. The fall is about 1.5 kilo meters upstream of the Kawauchi River
from the village. Water plunges down the towering cliff full of power and
splendor. It is true that you can manage to reach the bridge near the bottom of
the fall, but you will have a hard time making a u-turn, if there are too many
cars.
4. Tangyo Falls
This is said to be a waterfall with a 100 to 120-meter drop and
also part of the Summiyo River. But you have bad access to it. This picture
was taken halfway on the rough road to Kamiya Dam of Kyushu Power Company.
From my location I wasn't able to photograph the entire view of the fall.
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 4. Tangyo Falls |
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| ¦To enlarge, please click the photo. |