A Beautiful Echo Across Tsubayama Dam Lake
Yahho Point is located in Green Park Tsubayama, a peninsula area reached by crossing Tsubayama Lake Bridge along National Route 424. Several echo points have been established around the area, and each location produces a slightly different acoustic effect.
The most popular spot is the main echo point, which projects toward the dam lake. A pair of footprints marked on the ground indicates where visitors should stand. From this position, shouting toward the opposite mountains produces a remarkable echo that travels across the lake and returns to the caller.
There is even a trick for getting a clearer echo. Rather than stretching out the word “Yahho” for a long time, try making a short, sharp call such as “Yaho!” The shorter sound makes the returning echo easier to distinguish. However, weather conditions can affect the experience. Strong winds and rain may weaken the echo, making every visit slightly different.
How Yahho Point Became Famous Nationwide
The attraction became widely known thanks to a man nicknamed the “Yahho Ojisan,” or “Yahho Uncle,” who traveled around Wakayama in search of the best places to experience echoes. When he tried shouting across Tsubayama Dam Lake, he was amazed by the exceptionally beautiful response. This discovery led to the site being promoted as the “Japan’s Most Fun Yahho Point.”
The location was subsequently introduced on numerous Japanese television programs, including NHK’s Ohayo Nippon, Fuji TV’s The Best House, Nippon Television’s Zoom In!! SUPER, Mainichi Broadcasting’s Chichin Puipui, and the popular travel and variety program Sekai no Hate Made Itte Q! Its television exposure helped attract visitors from throughout Japan.
Another popular attraction is the annual All-Japan Yahho Championship. Contestants are judged not only on the quality of their echoes but also on what they shout and their performances. The event turns the simple act of calling into the mountains into a lively and entertaining celebration.
The Striking Red Tsubayama Lake Bridge
The Tsubayama Lake Bridge, which visitors cross on the way to Yahho Point, is itself an attraction worth seeing. The approximately 200-meter-long pedestrian suspension bridge crosses Tsubayama Dam Lake and is one of the longer suspension bridges of its kind in the Kansai region.
The bridge features bright red railings decorated with images of carp. The vivid red contrasts beautifully with the deep green of the surrounding forest and the blue surface of the lake, making it a popular place for photography.
Looking down from the bridge, visitors can see the lake below while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The bridge is wide enough for two adults to walk side by side and has sturdy handrails, allowing visitors to cross comfortably.
The mountain breeze and peaceful atmosphere of the lake create a refreshing experience that feels far removed from the noise and pace of urban life.
Tsubayama Dam Lake and Seasonal Scenery
Tsubayama Dam is one of Wakayama Prefecture’s major multipurpose dams. Completed in 1989, it was constructed for flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and securing water for agriculture. Today, the reservoir is also recognized as one of Japan’s notable dam lakes.
The Hidaka River originates near Mount Gomadan, the highest mountain in Wakayama Prefecture, flows through the city of Gobo, and eventually reaches the Kii Channel. At approximately 127 kilometers long, it is exceptionally long for a Class B river in Japan.
The region receives abundant rainfall, and communities along the river historically suffered repeated flooding. The devastating Kishu Great Flood of 1953 was particularly destructive and became one of the factors that led to plans for the construction of Tsubayama Dam.
Today, the area around the reservoir has been developed as a nature-oriented tourist destination. In spring, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms, wisteria, and azaleas. Early summer brings hydrangeas and Japanese lilies, while autumn transforms the surrounding mountains with brilliant foliage. Seasonal decorations such as colorful carp streamers add further charm to the lakeside scenery.
Miyama no Sato and the Longest Wisteria Trellis
Near Tsubayama Dam is the extensive recreational complex known as Refresh Area Miyama no Sato. The area includes a forest park, sports facilities, accommodation, and Miyama Hot Spring, making it suitable for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and sports groups.
One of its most famous attractions is the Wisteria Trellis Road, which stretches for approximately 1,646 meters. From mid-April to early May, beautiful purple wisteria flowers bloom along the route, creating a spectacular floral tunnel.
Walking beneath the cascading flowers while enjoying their delicate fragrance is one of the highlights of visiting the area in spring. Visitors who climb the fitness staircase toward the observation area can enjoy a panoramic view of both the wisteria-covered pathway and Tsubayama Dam Lake.
A gentler walking route is also available for visitors who prefer an easier stroll. The park additionally features attractions such as an athletic playground and a mystery house, making it an enjoyable destination for families with children.
Michi no Hotto Station Miyama no Sato
A convenient place to stop during a visit is Michi no Hotto Station Miyama no Sato, a popular facility selling local specialties and regional products.
The selection includes dried shiitake mushrooms, umeboshi pickled plums, processed wild vegetables, and handmade ice cream. These products provide visitors with an opportunity to discover flavors associated with the mountains of Wakayama.
One particularly popular specialty is Gonchan-zuke, made with itadori, an edible wild plant. It has a crisp texture and a savory soy-based flavor. Because it is produced in limited quantities, it may sell out early in the day.
The warm, wood-centered interior also makes the facility a pleasant place to take a break while exploring Yahho Point and the Wisteria Trellis Road.
Kamihadaki Shrine: A Living Tradition
The Miyama area is also home to Kamihadaki Shrine, a historic Shinto shrine with more than a thousand years of history. Founded in 922, the shrine is surrounded by an atmospheric forest containing cedar and cypress trees believed to be more than 450 years old.
The shrine’s annual spring festival, held on April 28 and 29, is also known as the Hana Festival. It has been designated an Intangible Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture.
The festival features colorful floral banners, elegant dances performed by children, and traditional Shinto ceremonies. Preserved by local residents, the event provides visitors with a valuable opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture in a peaceful mountain setting.
The festival is sometimes described as a ceremony of exceptional prestige, reflecting the long history and strong cultural traditions preserved in this rural community.
Relax at Miyama Onsen Aitokusou
After exploring the area, Miyama Onsen Aitokusou is an ideal place to relax. This traditional-style hot spring inn stands beside Tsubayama Dam Lake and is surrounded by quiet forests and mountains.
The hot spring water is a sodium bicarbonate spring, known for leaving the skin feeling smooth and refreshed. The bath is enjoyed by visitors seeking relaxation after hiking and sightseeing.
The inn also serves dishes prepared with local ingredients. Regional specialties may include botan-nabe wild boar hot pot, grilled sweetfish, and river shrimp dishes, allowing guests to enjoy the flavors of the Miyama countryside.
Log cabin-style accommodation is also available, and guests can enjoy barbecues while surrounded by the area’s beautiful natural environment.
Experience Nature, Adventure, and Relaxation in Hidakagawa
The Miyama area of Hidakagawa Town offers a remarkable variety of attractions, from the entertaining Yahho Point and scenic Tsubayama Dam Lake to the spectacular Wisteria Trellis Road, relaxing hot springs, and historic shrines.
Visitors can call out to the mountains, cross a suspension bridge, walk beneath blooming wisteria, explore the surrounding forests, and finish the day with a relaxing hot spring bath. This combination of outdoor adventure, beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and relaxation makes Miyama a memorable destination in Wakayama.
With its changing scenery throughout the seasons and its welcoming rural atmosphere, Hidakagawa Town is an excellent place to escape the routines of everyday life and reconnect with nature. For travelers looking for an unusual and interactive experience in Japan, Yahho Point is a destination where simply shouting “Yahho!” can become a surprisingly unforgettable memory.