2026 Full-Day Course: A Cool Stroll to Lake Tanzawa (丹沢湖) and Miho Dam (三保ダム)

A famous waterfall chosen as one of Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls, and a lake cradled by the mountains of Tanzawa - this Yamakita Town day course links two cool waterside spots. In the morning, head first to Shasui Falls (洒水の滝). The promenade to the falls takes about ten minutes, and from the observation deck completed in 2022 you can look straight at the waterfall cascading down the rock face in three tiers. The area stays cool with mist and tree shade. The Takisawa River (滝沢川), which flows from the falls, is also chosen as one of Japan's 100 Best Waters. Do your shopping at Michi-no-Eki Yamakita (道の駅山北). Then the star of the afternoon is Lake Tanzawa (丹沢湖). An artificial lake created by the Miho Dam (三保ダム), it feels noticeably cooler than the city thanks to its mountain elevation and the breeze crossing the wide water surface. From the lakeside promenade and viewpoints, you can slowly take in the Tanzawa mountain ridgeline reflected on the water. Admission is free and there is parking (both the Dam Plaza parking lot and the Lake Tanzawa parking lot close every Wednesday in winter), making it a perfect driving destination. With global warming keeping the heat lingering into September and October, why not spend a cool day hopping between a waterfall and a lake?