Getting there

To get to this hike, you gotta drive. Finding the carpark is very difficult. When you input Chiiwakyo into Google Maps it tries to take you as far as the road goes, however, this road is blocked off and you can't actually drive there. Instead put into your maps the Chiiwakyo carpark. The road to get there is super narrow and will require some skill to navigate. 

The carpark is a total rip off and to park there you have to pay 1000 yen. 

From the carpark follow the blocked off road along a paved road until you reach the trailhead where there will be a sign for Chiiwakyo.

Maps

When you park your car and pay the parking fee, the car park people will give you a handrawn map of Chiiwakyo and the hiking route. 

Route/Trail notes

The first part of the hike has you rock hopping over some slippery rocks. In the summer, many people swim here near the waterfall. Continue past this and onto the dirt track. Continue following signs for Chiiwakyo which are written in Japanese as the ワクワクドキドキ track. 

There will be a point where you will reach a fork in the road, take the left towards the ladder. There will be a string of ladders that you have to climb up. It is not technically difficult, but be careful as you climb. This will take you into the Chiiwa rock. Continue over the rock and follow the path downwards. The track will loop you around the rock. Near the end of the loop there will another track veering off to the right and into a cave, take this track up the staircase ladder where you will be rewarded with an amazing view. 

Continue down the ladder and complete the loop then follow the track back the way that you came. 

Permits/Costs

Parking: 1000 yen