Nachi Falls (Nachi-no-taki)

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  • Nachi Falls Wakayama Prefecture

    Nachi Falls, Wakayama Prefecture

  • Nachi Falls Wakayama Prefecture

    Nachi Falls, Wakayama Prefecture

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Facts & Figures

The 133 meters high Nachi Falls or Nachi-no-taki is the tallest uninterrupted single drop waterfall in Japan. The scenic beauty of the falls with the Kumano Mountains as an backdrop is a well-known sight all over the country. Every second one ton of water is droppping down the cliff. The ridge has a width of 13 meters. Two rocks at the top of the Nachi Falls representing the guardian kami of the falls and the Hiro Shinto shrine. The plunge basin at the base of the waterfall has a depth of 10 meters. Japan Rail Pass Buy now and Save >
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The whole area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. There are in total 48 waterfalls within the Kii Mountain Range. Nachi Falls belongs to the Three Great Waterfalls of Japan. The other two are the Keagon Falls at Lake Chuzenji near Nikko and Fukuroda Falls in Daigo within the Ibaraki region. Other must-see tourist highlights nearby Nachi-no-taki are the Seigantoji Temple and Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.

  • Nachi Falls:
  • Opening Hours - daily, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • Closed - never, open for the whole year
  • Admission Fee (viewing platform) - 300 yen

My tips for local activities

How about exploring the famous Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail with a local guide. Check out this page > for more details.

History

Nachi Falls is since ancient times an object of worship and is regarded as a deity. Each morning a Shinto priest performs a beautiful ceremony and makes offerings to the waterfall. Nachi Falls was registered in 2004 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as part of the - Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

Location

Map of Japan

Nachi Falls (Nachi-no-taki) is located in the southern part of the Wakayama Prefecture near the coastal hot spring resort of Katsuura.
Address: Nachisan, Nachikatsura-cho, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture 649-5301, Japan

How to get to Nachi Falls?

  • 3hrs 10min from Nagoya Station to Shingu Station by JR Kansai and Kise Line or
  • 4hrs from Shin-Osaka Station to Shingu Station by JR Hanwa and Kise Line and
  • 21min from JR Shingu Station to Nachi Station by JR Kise Line and
  • 20min from Nachi Station to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine by bus

Sightseeing spots near Nachi Falls

Top:

Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine - It is a famous Shinto Shrine and belongs to the three Kumano Sanzan shrines (Three Grand Shrines of Kumano), which are Hayatama Taisha, Hongu Taisha and Nachi Taisha. The shrine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

Seigantoji (Temple of the Blue Waves) - Seigantoji is a Tendai Buddhist temple and a Important Cultural Property of Japan. The temple has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The three-story pagoda at the temple grounds is an amazing sight. Read more

Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes - These routes connecting the other sacred UNESCO sites in the area - Koya-san, Hayatama Taisha, Hongu Taisha and Nachi Taisha. Read more

Hiro Shrine (Hiro-jinja) - The shrine is located just 200 meters away from the Nachi Falls. It was built to worship the deity (god) of the waterfall. Hiro-jinja is the auxiliary shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine. You have to pay 300 yen to access the viewing platform.

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

July

Nachi-no-Ogi Matsuri (Fire Festival of Nachi) (14th of July)
The Nachi-no-Ogi Matsuri is one of the three largest fire festivals within Japan. It is held at Kumano Nachi Taisha (Grand Shrine). 12 pine torches with an incredible weight of 50 kg each are carried and waved around. The torches represent the 12 months of the year and the 12 deities (gods) dwelling in Kumano. The annual Fire Festival celebrates the god coming back to his original place, Nachi Falls (Nachi-no-taki).

December - New Year's Eve

Illumination of the Nachi Falls
At night on New Year's Eve the falls are lit up and give this place a mystical atmosphere.

Where to stay near Nachi Falls?

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