滝壺(たきつぼ)

たきつぼ
noun
plunge pool; basin at the foot of a waterfall
writtenspokennaturegeography
1. plunge pool; basin at the foot of a waterfall
The deep pool of water formed at the base of a waterfall by the force of the falling water. A natural feature found at many famous waterfalls.
滝壺(たきつぼ)の水(みず)は冷(つめ)たかった。
The water in the plunge pool was cold.
子供(こども)たちが滝壺(たきつぼ)で泳(およ)いでいる。
The children are swimming in the plunge pool.
遊歩道(ゆうほどう)を下(くだ)っていくと、滝壺(たきつぼ)のすぐそばまで近(ちか)づくことができ、水(みず)しぶきが顔(かお)にかかる。
If you walk down the trail, you can get right up close to the plunge pool, and the spray hits your face.

Composed of 滝(たき) (waterfall) and 壺(つぼ) (pot, basin). The metaphor of a pot captures the round, deep shape of the pool carved out by falling water.

Usage

Frequently encountered in nature tourism, hiking guides, and descriptions of scenic spots. Japan has many famous waterfalls (名瀑(めいばく)), and the 滝壺(たきつぼ) is often highlighted as a destination point on hiking trails. Some 滝壺(たきつぼ) are deep enough for swimming in summer, while others are used for 滝行(たきぎょう) (waterfall meditation practice).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 滝(たき): waterfall — the waterfall itself; 滝壺(たきつぼ) is specifically the pool at its base
  • 淵(ふち): deep pool (in a river) — a general term for a deep, still section of a river, not necessarily at the base of a waterfall
  • 渓流(けいりゅう): mountain stream — the flowing water in a valley or gorge

Related Words

Compare: 淵(ふち) (deep pool)
Compare: 渓流(けいりゅう) (mountain stream)
general
Added 2026.4.20 19:36 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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