Nachi Falls is the tallest waterfall in Japan with a single, uninterrupted drop, cascading 133 meters (436 feet) from a steep rock face into a deep basin below. It has long been revered as a sacred site of Shinto belief, worshipped as the dwelling place of a deity enshrined at Hiro Shrine, which serves as an auxiliary shrine of the Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.

The waterfall is part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents the profound harmony between nature, spirituality, and Japanese tradition. For centuries, Nachi Falls has symbolized the divine connection between Shintoism and Buddhism that flourished in the Kii Mountains.

One of Japan’s most iconic scenic views is found here — the three-story red pagoda of Seiganto-ji Temple with the mighty Nachi Falls in the background. This spectacular combination perfectly captures the coexistence of Japan’s two major faiths and remains one of the most photographed landscapes in the country.

• From JR Kii-Katsuura Station, take a bus to the Nachi no Taki-mae stop (about 25 minutes), then walk approximately 5 minutes to reach the falls area.

• Visit in the early morning or after rainfall to experience the mystical mist rising around the falls — an enchanting sight that enhances its spiritual atmosphere. For photography, the viewpoint from Seiganto-ji Temple offers the best panorama combining the red pagoda and the waterfall.

Admission Fee:

• Free for the outer viewing area. To access the closer viewing platform at the waterfall’s base, a small entrance fee of around 300 yen applies.

Opening Time:

• Open daily all day.

Additional Visiting Information:

• The Otaki worship place, located at the base of the falls and home to Hiro Shrine, generally has specific visiting hours — 07:00 AM to 04:30 PM (some sources mention until 04:00 PM). A small fee is required to access the viewing area near the base of the waterfall.

Nearby sacred sites also have similar hours:

• Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine: Open 06:00 AM – 04:30 PM

• Seiganto-ji Temple: Open from early morning until around 04:30 PM