Hida-Osaka: Frozen waterfall trek with local guide & lunch

Summary

Snow trekking in Hida-Osaka to the giant frozen falls with a local

You’ll trek through snowy forests near Hida-Osaka with a local guide, see a massive frozen waterfall up close, and share a hot outdoor lunch by the ice. Expect real winter conditions—snowshoes on deep powder—and moments of silence broken only by laughter or falling snow. It’s an experience you’ll remember long after your boots dry out.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really believe the stories about waterfalls turning blue until we were halfway through the forest in Hida-Osaka, and our guide, Mr. Sato, stopped and pointed ahead — “There.” The trees were so quiet you could hear your own boots crunching, and then suddenly this wall of ice just appeared between the trunks. It was taller than any house I’ve lived in. I remember my breath fogging up my scarf and thinking, okay, this is actually happening.

The hike itself isn’t a walk in the park — it’s all snow, deep enough that you need snowshoes and spikes (they fit us up at the trailhead). The air stings your cheeks at -20°C, but honestly, you warm up fast just moving. Sato-san kept chatting about how locals watch for the first freeze every November; he even showed us how to spot animal tracks in the powder. There was this moment when he laughed at my attempt to say “frozen waterfall” in Japanese — I definitely butchered it — but he seemed happy we tried.

Lunch was outdoors by the falls: bread and hot soup that tasted like heaven after two hours of hiking uphill. Steam from the soup mixed with the mist off the ice — weirdly beautiful combo. I still think about that view sometimes: blue ice glowing against white snow, everyone quietly eating together like we’d known each other longer than a morning. The whole thing took about four hours round trip from where we started at 1,800 meters up. Not easy, but worth every step.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Frozen Waterfall Trekking

• Walk through winter forest
• Visit frozen waterfall
• Enjoy hot outdoor lunch

Top questions

How do I get to Hida-Osaka for the frozen waterfall trek?

You can reach Hida-Osaka from Takayama or Gero in about 40–50 minutes by train, bus, or car.

How long is the hike to the frozen waterfall?

The trail is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) round trip and takes around 4.5 hours total.

Is equipment provided for snow trekking?

Yes, snowshoes and spikes are included as part of the tour equipment.

What’s included for lunch during the tour?

A hot outdoor lunch is prepared by your guide—usually bread and soup.

What are the physical requirements for this tour?

You need good physical fitness to walk in deep snow and handle cold temperatures outside for several hours.

When does the frozen waterfall form in Hida-Osaka?

The frozen waterfall starts forming in early November and usually melts away by late April.

Are there any height or weight restrictions?

You must be between 140 cm (4’7”) and 190 cm (6’2”) tall and weigh less than 90 kg (198 lbs).

Is this tour suitable for children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 140 cm (4’7”) due to equipment sizing and trail difficulty.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary equipment like snowshoes and spikes, guidance from a local expert who knows Hida-Osaka inside out, plus an outdoor lunch of hot soup and bread served right beside the frozen falls before heading back down through the snowy forest together.