Nachi Waterfall: Sacred Cascade of Kumano

Nachi Waterfall, located in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of Japan's most iconic and tallest waterfalls. With a staggering 133-meter drop and a width of 13 meters, it is the tallest waterfall in Japan with a single, uninterrupted fall. The falls have been a site of spiritual significance for centuries, with the cascading water itself considered a deity.Nachi Waterfall has been worshipped since ancient times and is the object of veneration at Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. The falls are considered a sacred dwelling place of a deity and are rooted in ancient “water deity worship,” where the deity that brings blessings of water was highly revered. The waterfall also appears in many historical texts and poems, celebrated for its beauty and mystique. The harmonious relationship between Shinto and Buddhist beliefs can be seen in the close proximity between the Buddhist Seiganto-ji Temple and Shinto Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.Visitors can approach the base of the falls to appreciate their power and beauty. For a closer view, there is a viewing platform that requires a small admission fee. The water flowing from Nachi Waterfall comes from the primeval forest of Mount Ogumotori, with over a ton of water cascading down every second. The surrounding area is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering visitors the chance to explore the natural beauty of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.