At 63 meters, Tamasudare Fall is the highest waterfall in Yamagata Prefecture. It is located near Sakata City and to the south of Mt. Chokai, the second tallest mountain in the Tohoku Region. About 1,200 years ago, the waterfall was named by Kobo Daishi who was a monk and the founder of Shingon, a branch of esoteric Buddhism in Japan. Tamasudare means "beaded hanging screen" and it is said that the fall hides a statue of Buddha behind its veil of water. The fall is also said to be a "power spot" because of the special atmosphere around it. During Golden Week in early May and during Obon season in mid August the fall is illuminated after dark (until 10pm).
- 1 min read
Tamasudare Fall
On the way to Yamagata's highest waterfall
![Tomoaki Sato Tomoaki Sato](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1030/240x240!/565e87cb67ba810c868b648b.jpg)
By Tomoaki Sato
Community writer
![This waterfall is huge and there are only few visitors there](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4649-29992/1000/yamagata-tamasudare-fall-29992.jpg)
This waterfall is huge and there are only few visitors there
![Only a short walk from the car park and I found the fall in the forest](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4649-29990/1000/yamagata-tamasudare-fall-29990.jpg)
Only a short walk from the car park and I found the fall in the forest
![On my way to the waterfall I walked in the forest and enjoyed the fresh green leaves](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4649-29991/1000/yamagata-tamasudare-fall-29991.jpg)
On my way to the waterfall I walked in the forest and enjoyed the fresh green leaves
![On my way back to the car park, I caught a glimpse of Mt.Chokai in the distance](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4649-29994/1000/yamagata-tamasudare-fall-29994.jpg)
On my way back to the car park, I caught a glimpse of Mt.Chokai in the distance
![Mt.Chokai near Sakata City as seen from near the Tamasudare Fall. We can see two peaks when approaching the mountain from the west](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4649-29995/1000/yamagata-tamasudare-fall-29995.jpg)
Mt.Chokai near Sakata City as seen from near the Tamasudare Fall. We can see two peaks when approaching the mountain from the west
![You can enjoy the view of some lower mountains when you climb Mt. Chokai half way up](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4649-29997/1000/yamagata-tamasudare-fall-29997.jpg)
You can enjoy the view of some lower mountains when you climb Mt. Chokai half way up
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Iain Stanley
10 years ago
The shot of people in the foreground in your 1st pic really gives some perspective as to the height of the falls!!
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