Nachi Falls

Nachi Falls, located in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most celebrated waterfalls and is widely known as one of the Three Great Waterfalls of Japan. It is remarkably large, measuring 133 meters in height and 13 meters in width, with a plunge pool that is 10 meters deep. As a single-drop waterfall, or *chokubaku*, with no breaks along its descent, it has the greatest drop in Japan. The volume of water is said to be approximately one ton per second, and the sight of the water plunging downward with a thunderous roar is overwhelmingly powerful.

The waterfall was formed by water flowing from the Omine Mountains deep within Nachi-san, plunging through the primeval forest as if cutting through it. The surrounding area includes the Nachi Primeval Forest, designated a National Natural Monument, as well as a special protection zone within Yoshino-Kumano National Park. The majestic scenery created by nature displays a different kind of beauty in every season, particularly captivating visitors during the fresh greenery of spring and the autumn foliage season. In the early morning and evening, mist and light sometimes create a fantastical landscape, and rainbows may also appear, allowing visitors to enjoy an atmosphere of profound mystery.

Nachi Falls is more than simply a tourist attraction; it has long been revered as the sacred object of worship at Hiro Shrine, the auxiliary shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine. The waterfall itself is believed to be inhabited by a deity, and the shrine is distinctive in that it has no main sanctuary building—worshippers pay their respects directly to the waterfall. This tradition originated in ancient belief in water deities, who were worshipped as gods presiding over water, the source of life. Hiro Shrine has extremely ancient origins and is said to have originally enshrined the deities of Kumano at this site. According to tradition, the present-day Kumano Nachi Taisha was relocated here in the fifth year of Emperor Nintoku’s reign, traditionally dated to 317.

Nachi Falls is also known as “Ichi-no-Taki,” or “First Waterfall.” Together with the upstream waterfalls Ni-no-Taki, or “Second Waterfall,” and San-no-Taki, or “Third Waterfall,” it is collectively called Nachi Otaki, and these waterfalls have been designated Places of Scenic Beauty by the national government. Because the water appears to divide into three streams, the falls are also known as “Misuji-no-Taki,” or “Three-Stream Waterfall.” Other waterfalls, such as Mongaku Falls, can also be found in the surrounding area, which has long been used as a place for ascetic training. Even today, mountain ascetics known as *yamabushi* conduct religious training and ceremonies here, continuing the area’s role as a sacred site.

In front of the waterfall stands the Mitaki Worship Stage, where visitors can view the falls from close by. Here, they can experience the waterfall’s power with their entire bodies, creating an impression of becoming one with the falls. The water in the plunge pool is also known as the “Water of Longevity,” and it is said that drinking it brings divine blessings.

Various events are held throughout the year. In July and December, the Shimenawa Renewal Ceremony takes place, during which the sacred rope hanging at the waterfall is replaced. On New Year’s Eve, the falls are illuminated, revealing a fantastical appearance quite different from their daytime beauty.

Nachi Falls is also highly significant culturally. Many poets and haiku masters, including Saigyo Hoshi and Takahama Kyoshi, have composed waka and haiku inspired by the waterfall. Its beauty and sacredness have continued to move people’s hearts since ancient times.

The surrounding area is also home to the Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A popular route takes visitors through Daimon-zaka and onward to Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seiganto-ji Temple. The pilgrimage path, with its stone paving and avenues of towering cedar trees, offers an appealing walking route where visitors can experience history and nature at the same time.

In this way, Nachi Falls is a truly special place, combining breathtaking natural beauty, deep religious faith, and a long history. It continues to inspire and soothe visitors, drawing people from near and far as a sacred realm where the gods are believed to reside.