Nachi Waterfall
Inside a sacred forest, one of Japan’s tallest waterfall roars to welcome you
Nachi Waterfall (那智の滝) is one of three Japan’s tallest waterfall, with an uninterrupted drop of 133 meters.
It is located halfway up Nachi Mountain as part as Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社) which is one of the three Kumano shrines in Wakayama prefecture.
This shrine is part of a large complex of neighboring religious sites that combines a Buddhist and Shinto.
The area is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sacred Sites.
Guide to Nachi Falls area
Nachi Falls View point
The closest view point to Nachi Falls can be reached by slope on the forest. In the entrance of the slope you will see a Torii gate, and after you get down you will see another one.
There you can see this cute Yatagarasu goods.
Yatagarasu is three-legged crow-god that has a symbol specifically of guidance. This great crow was sent from heaven as a guide for legendary Emperor Jimmu (the first Emperor of Japan through the Kumano region) on his initial journey .
In Kumano region, you’ll come across frequently in this cute Yatagarasu.
In the shrine, you can purchase a rather adorable Yatagarasu ema (prayer board), where you can write your wish & Yatagarasu Omikuji.
To reach to the closest view point, you will need to pay ￥300 near the second Torii gate .
Although, in our opinion, the view from the second Torii gate is enough to enjoy it.
Daimonzaka Walking Trail
Daimon-zaka means in Japanese “large gate slope” referring to a shrine-gate that once stood nearby.
This slope is impressive cobblestone staircase ( about 600 meters long with 267 stairs) and part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.
It is lined with centuries The walk leads you to Kumano Nachi Taisha, the Seigantoji Temple and ultimately, Nachi Otaki (Nachi Falls).
Associated Temples: Seiganto-ji & Fudarakusan-ji
The Seiganto-ji and Fudarakusan-ji are two Tendai Buddhist temples that are also closely related to Kumano Nachi Taisha.
Both designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Seiganto-ji temple has the iconic three-storied Pagoda which also can be go inside. It also cost ￥300 so we didn`t enter there.
On the way to Seiganto-ji temple we also meet this cutie frog
Fire Festival
Every year in middle of July there a fire festival called “Nachi-no-Ogi matsuri” (那智の扇祭り).
It is a Shinto ritual in which participants carry large flaming torches down the path from the shrine to a sacred waterfall.
We have not visited there on the festival yet, hope to go there one day!
Information
Hours:
Shrine grounds are always open
(The Nachi falls view point is from 7:00 – 16:30 , Last enter untill 16:00)
Admission:
Free (￥300 for enter to the Nachi Falls view point)
Access:
It can be reached by bus from both Kii-Katsuura Station (about 25 minutes, ￥630) and Nachi Station (about 20 minutes, ￥490) .
※Buses depart approximately every 45 minutes.
Parking:
For those who choose to come with car, there many parking lots in the area. It costs about ￥500 .
(We came with rental car)
Address:
Nachisan, Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama 649-5301
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