CONTRIBUTED BY SANDRA STAMOS
Looking for an easy-to-access swimming hole with a waterfall? No hiking skills or river fording is required to find this jewel near Nago.
I heard about this place from a friend as we were heading out on a dive trip. I hadn’t been to any of the falls yet and this seemed easy to find. This site is simpler and closer to the bases than the better known Taa and Hiji Falls.
It is a lovely waterfall with a private swimming hole that can accommodate a small group of less than 10. This is a great place to stop in to cool off after you spend time up north.
It is actually a series of three waterfalls, starting about 200 feet above the swimming hole. The falls are particularly impressive during rainy season. Todoroki means “roaring” in Japanese.
If you just want to put your feet in to cool off, be warned. The local crawfish may come and “clean” your feet for you, a la Doctor fish. If you are ticklish, you may want to stay dry.
Don’t forget to bring your camera. The falls are extremely picturesque. There is a small shrine nearby to be explored and photographed.
Directions: North on Expressway to Nago until it ends. Turn right at the 3rd light (approximately 3 km after the expressway ends, the light is right after the pedestrian overpass) at Sukata Village. Approximately 0.8 km you will cross the river and make the 1st left. About 0.25 km the road will end in front of an old ice house (it may still be in business). Park here.
There is a path to the left of the ice house. A very short walk to a concrete viewing area (you can definitely hear the falls from here). Leave the concrete area to the right. Follow the path. At the end of the trail, there are a few small boulders to climb but very easy to scale (there is a rope if you need help). The swimming hole is at the top of the boulders.
GPS Coordinates: 26.562615, 127.988356
We just visited the falls and it is still under construction until March 31, 2018. They have built a beautiful covered platform to see the falls from, along with steps down to the river. According to the photos posted, there are plans for a parking lot and trails that still need to be completed. What they have done looks really nice. Can’t wait to see it when it’s finished!
Are the falls still accessible while under construction?
We traveled there yesterday and it was closed, under construction. Looks like they are building a bridge. It is October 2016. I wonder when they will open it back up.
It is closed unti January 2017 according to the sign
This waterfall trial is currently under construction and blocked off. Bummer!!! We will have to try again later.
Does this place allow dogs?
does anyone have directions from Kadena to this? TIA!!
Me, my 5-year old son and 3 ladies went here. Honestly, the post is very literal; we were expecting a little bit of a hike and a bit of a workout before arriving at the falls. But true as written, there is no hiking experience necessary because it’s all of 20 steps! The waterfall is just a few steps from where we parked (the ice house). Granted it is beautiful, but there is no hiking involved. So don’t come thinking you will get a workout.
We had a chuckle when we turned the corner and arrived. But climbing the rocks was fun and the picturesque background was gorgeous in pictures. Plan to spend about 15-30 min here and Bring shoes with good grip because the rocks are quite slippery.
My husband and I took our kids (6, 4, 18 months) to these waterfalls last week and they went nuts. Enough climbing to entertain the 6 and 4 year olds, but easy enough for my husband to carry the little one. The locals that we encountered were very friendly. There is a restroom in the parking lot by the ice house. Highly recommended day trip or stop on your way back from the aquarium.
I was just here on Sat, great place. Def. wear mozzie spray. I got bitten up trying to find the geocache!