Hiking the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail in Japan: A Complete Guide
Having recently written about the town of Iga, an underrated but unique destination in Japan for ninja and nature lovers, I wanted to continue sharing in more detail my experience of hiking the Akame 48 Waterfalls trail (赤目四十八滝) in Mie Prefecture.
If you're a nature lover and would like to discover a great hike to do in the Kansai region, while getting some practical tips to prepare your visit, read on!
About the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail
The Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail is a beautiful hiking trail in Mie Prefecture, known for its numerous waterfalls, lush moss-covered forests, and deep connection to ninja history. The trail is in a river valley, where visitors can admire a series of breathtaking waterfalls set against a backdrop of seasonal colors. The area is also historically linked to the Iga-ryu ninjas, who are said to have trained in this mountainous area from the 15th to the 18th century to hone their agility and survival skills.
With well-maintained trails, this hike is accessible to casual hikers, although there are a few steep sections and stairs. The complete hike is 4 km long and can be done in around 3-4 hours at a leisurely pace (about 1.5 hour one-way or more if you make a lot of stops and spend time taking pictures).
How to Get to Akame?
If you’re coming by public transport, it is essential to plan your transport in advance for this hike, as buses are not frequent in the area. The falls are best reached by train to Akameguchi station (赤目口駅) on the Kintetsu line, followed by a 10-minute bus ride to Akamedaki bus stop (赤目滝). There are only a few buses per day (and less between December and March): you can check the bus timetable here (in Japanese, but you can use automatic translation to English) or on Google maps.
Note that the journey to Akameguchi station takes about 50 minutes from Uenoshi station in Iga, just over an hour from Namba station in Osaka, and over 1.5 to 2 hours from Kyoto or Nagoya stations.
In my case, I set off from Iga, where I'd spent the previous night, and it took me about 45 minutes to get to the start of the trail by car.
Hike the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail with Me
Arrive at the Entrance of the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail and Stop at the Japanese Salamander Center
Once there, after passing a souvenir store and a café, you'll arrive at the entrance to the Akame 48 waterfalls trail, where you'll have to pay a fee of ¥1,000, earmarked for environmental conservation, clean-up and safety management of the valley. Opening hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm (April to November) and 9:00am to 4:30pm (December to March).
✨ TRAVELY TIP: If you're interested, you can take part in a free stamp rally during the hike and receive postcards as a reward if you complete it. You can ask about it at the counter. If I recall correctly, it’s on the back of the map you’ll receive.
Entrance to the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail
Just after the counter, you can take some time to visit the Japanese Salamander Center (赤目滝水族館), a small but fascinating spot dedicated to the region’s famous giant salamanders. These creatures, which can grow to over 1.5 metres in length, are native to the region and have lived in the clear waters of Akame for centuries. They are the second largest species of salamander in the world and, honestly, I didn't expect them to be so big! Did you know that these unique creatures are considered “living fossils” because they haven’t evolve for over 30 million years? The center offers a quick introduction to their habitat and conservation, making it a fun and educational stop before you start your hike.
Unfortunately, I didn't see any giant salamanders in the wild during my hike, but keep an eye out, you never know and maybe you'll get the chance of spotting these rare creatures during your visit!
Enter the Akame Valley
Time to hike! The trail starts off easy and is relatively flat. As I visited in November, there were light installations on the first few hundred meters of the hike as part of a light-up event. This event is organized in the evenings during the winter from late October to January (separate entrance fee of ¥700). Even though I didn't stay in the evening, I could imagine how beautiful it was as I walked past hundreds of bamboo installations.
One of the first sights you’ll see is the Akame Bull (赤目牛) located nearby the Fudo Falls (不動滝). According to an old legend, En-no-gyoja, the founder of Japanese mountain asceticism, encountered Fudo-myo, a fire deity riding a bull with red eyes, at this place. The name Akame (赤目) derives from this legend, as it means red eyes.
Enjoy the Beauty of the Lush Forest and the Various Waterfalls
As you’ll progress along the four-kilometer stretch of the valley accessible via a walkway along the river, you’ll encountered numerous waterfalls though there aren't actually 48. The reason the trail name includes ‘48’ is that the Japanese characters for ‘48’ mean ‘many’ in this case.
Nunobiki Falls
The autumn colors had already passed their peak by the time I arrived, but the hike was still very charming, with the carpet of fallen leaves all around and the relaxing, continuous sound of the river.
Ninai Falls
There are rest areas along the way where you can take breaks, as well as toilets, and don't forget to look for the stamps! Despite some steep inclines and stairs, it was a relatively easy hike with well-maintained paths, so I think it's doable for beginner hikers. As there's only one path, you can always retrace your steps if you've had enough.
Hiking Tips You Should Know Before Taking the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail
When to go? You can do this hike all-year around as each season has its own charm— you’ll be surrounded by vibrant greenery in spring and summer, red foliage in autumn, and frost-covered landscapes in winter.
What to wear? There is no need for special gear but because some of the paths can be slippery if it rained recently, I’d still recommend wearing proper walking shoes or hiking shoes for a comfortable walk.
Restrooms can be found along the trail but I don’t recall any shop or teahouse open, so I’d recommend to bring water and snacks with you. In my case, after the hike, I enjoyed as a reward tasting the Akame pudding served at the café 忍法 赤目プリン, located near the entrance. You can also find a few other cafés and restaurants in Akame.
Other Things to Do in Akame
If you're interested in ninjas, what about taking part in a ninja training experience in Akame? The experience lasts an hour and a half, during which participants can try their hand at various ninja activities. It takes place twice a day, at 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m., and costs ¥3,500 for an adult and ¥3,000 for a child (includes ninja outfit rental and valley conservation fees). You can get more information and book a place for this ninja training experience here.
➡️ You can find out about other nearby ninja-related activities in my article “Iga Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Japan’s Ninja Town”.
Where to Stay in Akame
Spending the night in Akame before or after the hike could be a good option if you want to explore the area at a slow pace or enjoy the night-time illuminations in winter. Based on reviews, I’d go for the ryokan Taisenkaku, to enjoy a traditional and relaxing stay near the Akame waterfalls. This charming ryokan features tatami rooms, onsen baths, and delicious local cuisine, making it a perfect place to unwind before or after the hike. The hotel also allows day visitors to relax in their onsen, from 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for ¥1,200. So even if you're only planning a day trip to Akame, this might be a nice idea after the hike while waiting for the bus back to Akameguchi station.
To Conclude
The Akame 48 Waterfalls trail is an absolute must-visit for any ninja or waterfall enthusiast, or simply nature lover. I enjoyed this peaceful walk surrounded by gorgeous nature, so much that I’d love to do it someday again. I’d love to know if you decide to go after reading my article, so don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Interested in hiking in Japan? You can read about all the hikes I’ve done in Japan and written about.
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