Korean University Student Found Dead at Famous Waterfall During Trip to Japan

"Disappeared After Falling Into Waterfall Pool," Reported by Friends
Found Dead the Next Day... Cause of Death Confirmed as Drowning

A Korean tourist drowned in an accident at Harajiri Falls, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyushu, Japan.

According to local media outlets such as Asahi TV and NHK on July 16, the body of a man was discovered at Harajiri Falls in Bungo-ono, Oita Prefecture, around 9:15 a.m. on July 14. Local police confirmed that the deceased was a 19-year-old Korean university student, identified as Mr. A, and the cause of death was drowning.

Harajiri Falls in Kyushu, Japan. Navitime homepage

Earlier, police and fire authorities launched a search after receiving a report at around 7:30 p.m. on July 13 that “a friend fell into the waterfall pool and is missing.” They later found Mr. A, who had died. Mr. A, who was reportedly visiting Japan for tourism, had gone to the falls with three friends and is said to have jumped into the waterfall pool 20 meters below.

Harajiri Falls, known as the “Niagara of the East,” is a spectacular site with a width of about 120 meters and a height of 20 meters?equivalent to a 7- to 8-story apartment building. Previously, in 2006, a female tourist participating in a tour at Harajiri Falls died after jumping into the pool below the falls.

Hidetoshi Saito, a director at the Society for Aquatic Accidents, warned in an interview with local media that “if you accidentally fall into the waterfall pool, you may struggle to survive and expel all the air from your lungs, causing your body to sink.” He added, “It is important not to panic and to go with the flow of the water. After your body sinks briefly, it will eventually float back up.”