You can get Takimata Falls from Kyoto Station by city bus in just over an hour as folows!
City bus Kyoto Station, JR3 bus stop, Takao-Keihoku Line (towards Shuzan)
Kyoto Station 8:00 – Shijo-Omiya 8:12 – Hosonoguchi 9:16
Click below for the Kyoto Station to Keihoku timetable (revised June 1, 2024)  here

Toilet break
There are no vending machines, water, toilets, or trash cans in the forest. It may be a good idea to use the restroom twice.
・First: Go to the restroom before boarding the bus from Kyoto Station (because it takes about an hour to get to Hosonoguchi)
・Second: After getting off the bus stop “Hosonoguchi”, go to the restroom at the old Hosono Elementary School (about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop “Hosonoguchi”) (because there are no restrooms in the forest, it takes about an hour and a half to walk through the forest)

Information sign near the Hosonoguchi bus stop
When you cross the crosswalk at the intersection just after getting off the Hosonoguchi, you will see an information sign. If you continue along this path, you will arrive at Takimata Falls. You can safely arrive from the bus stop “Hosonoguchi” to Takimata Falls without getting lost!

There are about four red bridges on the first half of the route to Takimata Falls. The route to Takimata Falls is on the Keihoku Trail course, so the ground is basically dirt and pebbles, and occasionally concrete is laid, making it an easy path to walk on. However, in some places the ground is dirt and large stones, or there are a few times when there is no path and you walk on rocks.

After passing through the gate of Takimata Falls, there are four splendid stone Buddhas on the way to Takimata Falls. They are well-maintained and divinely beautiful!

The boards that serve as a bridge over the river have orange cloth laid on them to prevent slipping. You need to be careful not to slip on bridges (boards) that do not have orange cloth. Also, some bridges (boards) shook quite a bit when crossing. Be careful not to slip and fall into the river.

There is one small space. It is a good candidate for a space to eat and drink with a group.
This is the fork in the road between the Keihoku Trail route and the Takimata Falls route. The Keihoku Gastronomy Tour takes you to the Takimata Falls route. It is just under a 10-minute walk from here to Takimata Falls.

Just before the destination, Takimata Falls, there is no path and you need to cross the rocks to arrive. If you cross carefully, Takimata Falls will appear. It is a spectacular and refreshing view! The sound of the waterfall, the spray of the water, the sunlight filtering through the trees. Please experience it at least once. I recommend it!

I walked around the area and found that there were a few slippery spots, but I didn’t feel it was dangerous. It seems that Takimata Falls is a field trip course for elementary schools. Many people, including elementary school students, friends, and families, can easily enjoy walking around Takimata Falls. You can also enjoy eating lunch or snacks in the forest. In that case, there are no trash cans in the forest, so you will need to take your trash home with you.

The following are points to keep in mind when walking around Takimata Falls.
・ There is a risk of being attacked by a bear, sudden changes in the weather, and getting lost, so walking in the forest alone is dangerous, and it is best to walk with two or more people.
・ Casual clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty with dirt and sand.
・ Sneakers that are easy to walk in and don’t mind getting dirty.
・ A backpack-type bag (ideally with both hands free in case you fall)
・ A bear repellent whistle (it’s fine to walk around the forest while talking, but just to be safe). Also, talk and make noise while moving so that bears don’t get close.
・ Drinks (to prevent heat stroke in summer)
・ Hats (to prevent heat stroke in summer)
・ Towels to wipe sweat (you will sweat in summer)
・ Prepare gloves (you may have to put your hands on rocks, and hold onto ropes to avoid slipping on rocky paths without paths)
・ Be careful of falling rocks
・ The rocky path becomes difficult to walk on just before reaching Takimata Falls
・ It’s good to have a snack in the forest. There are no trash cans, so please take your trash home with you
・ Be careful of the walking course with poor footing
・ Surprisingly, there are no bugs, so you don’t need bug spray

From the bus stop “Hosonoguchi” to “Shuzan” in Keihoku town
It takes about 10 minutes by city bus.
Exploring Takimata Falls, Hosonoguchi 12:16 departure – Keihoku Joint Government Office 12:26
Click below for the Kyoto Station to Keihoku timetable (revised June 1, 2024)  here

The following are recommended places for lunch and rest. All are within a 5-minute walk from the bus stop “Keihoku Joint Government Office”.
1. Lunch at Woody Keihoku and local souvenirs  Click here!
2. Lunch at Ryori Ryokan Sushiyome  Click here!
3. Sake tasting at Haneda Sake Brewery   Click here!
4. Souvenir sweets at Kameya Hirokiyo    Click here!