Nachi Mitaki Falls
Nachi Mitaki Falls
4.5
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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4.5
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J.G.YUN
Busan, South Korea5,682 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
The road from Kumanonachi Taisha to the waterfall is a jagged stone staircase with a dense forest of beautiful cedar trees on both sides.
The 133m high and 13m wide waterfall falling through the primeval forest, a natural monument, is one of Japan's three major waterfalls and the largest drop in the country. This waterfall is said to be the deity worshiped at Hiro Shrine on Mt. Nachi.
Rather than viewing Nachi Falls right in front of the waterfall, it is better to go up to Seigantoji and view the waterfall with the three-story pagoda in the background.
The 133m high and 13m wide waterfall falling through the primeval forest, a natural monument, is one of Japan's three major waterfalls and the largest drop in the country. This waterfall is said to be the deity worshiped at Hiro Shrine on Mt. Nachi.
Rather than viewing Nachi Falls right in front of the waterfall, it is better to go up to Seigantoji and view the waterfall with the three-story pagoda in the background.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
n_a-ikawa🇯🇵🎋🪭
Matsudo, Japan5,092 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The day after visiting Ise Jingu, I drove all the way here from my accommodation in Toba City. As a waterfall lover, this was a waterfall I definitely wanted to visit. It is the most powerful waterfall in Japan. This completes my tour of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, along with Kegon, Fukuroda, and Nachi. The waterfall itself is enshrined as a deity, creating a very solemn atmosphere. Perhaps due to its location, there were not many visitors.
Written 20 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
magviajemas
Los Angeles, CA528 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
Highest waterfall in Japan with 133 meters drop. I used my bamboo walking stick from my Kumano Kodo hike and it was helpful because there were a lot of steps especially if you are visiting the other shrines in the area. I went late in the afternoon so it wasn’t as busy and hot. I just stared in awe how lovely the area is.
Written 18 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BadgerCT
Cape Town Central, South Africa1,975 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Once you are out on the Kii peninsula you can see the falls and surrounding attractions in half a day. Getting there from Osaka or Nagoya of course takes another half a day, and another to get back again.
The bus from Kiikatsuura train station is very easily found, right at the exit of the train station, and they now offer a hop-on-hop-off return ticket for tourists using the bus service for 1,000 Yen. Timetables can be found on the Tanabe City Kumano tourism association website (you want bus number 8) along with maps of the bus route and area. The Kiikastuura tourism association site is less useful.
We took the bus for 20 minutes up to the bottom of the Daimonzaka and walked up, which takes more effort but is easier on older knees. Walking time is 30 minutes uphill at a steady pace. There is another bus stop halfway up before the main stop at the falls if you don’t want to walk the whole thing. Walking up also means that your first glimpse of the falls is through the trees along the path.
At the top of the Daimonzaka is the small town of Nachi-san with two large temples, the scenic orange pagoda, the falls themselves of course with another temple and several tourist-oriented restaurants and gift shops. From the top of the Daimonsaka, or the Nachi-san bus stop (which is at the same place), a leisurely circular walk up to the temples and down past the pagoda to the falls will take at most two hours unless you are going to spend a lot of time in the temples.
The best place to view the famous Pagoda/waterfall combination is from the paths and road between the temples and pagoda, a little below the terrace at the temple where the official tourist photographers have set-up their stalls. Entrance to the waterfalls is free and the fee to access the viewpoint at the upper part of the Hirou Shrine is unnecessary.
Leaving Kiikatsuura on the third bus of the morning, walking up the Daimonzaka, viewing everything, having lunch and taking the bus back down was all done in time to catch the midday train back to Osaka.
The bus from Kiikatsuura train station is very easily found, right at the exit of the train station, and they now offer a hop-on-hop-off return ticket for tourists using the bus service for 1,000 Yen. Timetables can be found on the Tanabe City Kumano tourism association website (you want bus number 8) along with maps of the bus route and area. The Kiikastuura tourism association site is less useful.
We took the bus for 20 minutes up to the bottom of the Daimonzaka and walked up, which takes more effort but is easier on older knees. Walking time is 30 minutes uphill at a steady pace. There is another bus stop halfway up before the main stop at the falls if you don’t want to walk the whole thing. Walking up also means that your first glimpse of the falls is through the trees along the path.
At the top of the Daimonzaka is the small town of Nachi-san with two large temples, the scenic orange pagoda, the falls themselves of course with another temple and several tourist-oriented restaurants and gift shops. From the top of the Daimonsaka, or the Nachi-san bus stop (which is at the same place), a leisurely circular walk up to the temples and down past the pagoda to the falls will take at most two hours unless you are going to spend a lot of time in the temples.
The best place to view the famous Pagoda/waterfall combination is from the paths and road between the temples and pagoda, a little below the terrace at the temple where the official tourist photographers have set-up their stalls. Entrance to the waterfalls is free and the fee to access the viewpoint at the upper part of the Hirou Shrine is unnecessary.
Leaving Kiikatsuura on the third bus of the morning, walking up the Daimonzaka, viewing everything, having lunch and taking the bus back down was all done in time to catch the midday train back to Osaka.
Written 11 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GabyVM
Jakarta, Indonesia7,783 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
The waterfall can be accessed by bus (easy, most economical). We took the bus from Kii Katsuura station but instead of going directly to the waterfall (Nachi no Taki mae bus stop), we wanted to experience a small part of the sacred trail so we got down at the Daimonzaka Chusayo bus stop and walked a bit to the start of Daimonzaka slope, a 600 meter long cobblestone paved trail winding up through the forest with big old trees - an awesome experience. Not difficult but in some parts the mossy stone steps were a bit slippery. We came out at the base of Nachi Taisha Shrine, walked 200 m and took the stairs up to the shrine along small shops selling souvenirs. After spending time at the beautiful shrine complex (don't forget the green tea ice cream there), we walked down towards the waterfall and took photos of it side by side with the iconic three storey pagoda.
Due to time constraint, we didn't go down to the waterfall itself but walked further to take the bus at the Nachisan bus stop (apparently the bus next stop was the waterfall lol). We did this as a day trip from Shingu (by JR train to/from Kii Katsuura).
Due to time constraint, we didn't go down to the waterfall itself but walked further to take the bus at the Nachisan bus stop (apparently the bus next stop was the waterfall lol). We did this as a day trip from Shingu (by JR train to/from Kii Katsuura).
Written 30 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,620 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
We approached the waterfall from above after walking up Daimonzaka, visiting Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seigantoji Temple and its pagoda. You can get good photos of the pagoda and the waterfall from the approach road to the pagoda. Walking down from the pagoda we choose to take the the main road rather than the pilgrimage Kumano Kodo which looked very rough on this stretch. If you take the main road, be sure to look to your left as you go down, there is a very interesting abandoned Chinese temple just at the last curve before you reach the road to the falls.
The entrance to the falls is marked by a massive torii in unpainted wood which blends very nicely with the giant evergreens surrounding it.
The uneven stone stairs down to the waterfall are steep and can be slippery - do take care. While walking down, stop to photo the view below and turn around look back. Along the sides are some remarkable stones and tree trunks as well.
Once you get to the bottom, the crowds can be troublesome, but if you wait they eventually clear out and you can have the place to yourself if only for a moment. There are a few shops selling religious paraphernalia and it is from them that one buys entrance to the viewing platform. It was the falls that made this a pilgrimage site, even before the temple and the shrine above. At the center of the viewing area is Hirou Shrine through which one can get a perfect frame for the falls.
Photography of the falls can be tricky, but again, patience helps. For a ¥300 fee you can walk up rickety wooden stairs to the platform for what purport to be closer views. Only one of us chose to go there after which we decided that the view from the bottom was just as good - if not better. In our opinion you do not need to pay the fee for the close up view. Our photos from both locations showed the impressive size of the falls and the power of the water, but the rushing sound of the vast amount of water pouring over the rocks can’t be captured in still photos.
The entrance to the falls is marked by a massive torii in unpainted wood which blends very nicely with the giant evergreens surrounding it.
The uneven stone stairs down to the waterfall are steep and can be slippery - do take care. While walking down, stop to photo the view below and turn around look back. Along the sides are some remarkable stones and tree trunks as well.
Once you get to the bottom, the crowds can be troublesome, but if you wait they eventually clear out and you can have the place to yourself if only for a moment. There are a few shops selling religious paraphernalia and it is from them that one buys entrance to the viewing platform. It was the falls that made this a pilgrimage site, even before the temple and the shrine above. At the center of the viewing area is Hirou Shrine through which one can get a perfect frame for the falls.
Photography of the falls can be tricky, but again, patience helps. For a ¥300 fee you can walk up rickety wooden stairs to the platform for what purport to be closer views. Only one of us chose to go there after which we decided that the view from the bottom was just as good - if not better. In our opinion you do not need to pay the fee for the close up view. Our photos from both locations showed the impressive size of the falls and the power of the water, but the rushing sound of the vast amount of water pouring over the rocks can’t be captured in still photos.
Written 10 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
inefekt
Perth, Australia68 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
Nachi Waterfall is a bit off the beaten track and not close to any shinkansen lines so it's a bit of a trip to get there from Osaka or Kyoto at 4.5 hours each way.
The area is essentially the end of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. There is a short walk called Daimonzaka you can do which takes you to the main village area near the falls. It's a 600m climb up steps surrounded by majestic cedar trees and dense forest, really a nice walk that only takes 30 mins or so. Be prepared for a LOT more steps to get up to the temple area that overlooks the falls.
A great photo opportunity presents itself with an orange pagoda and the falls behind it, not to be missed. Keep following the signs down to the waterfall which has a torii gate at the bottom that again makes a nice photo. A street lined with souvenir stores is nearby and you can also take the bus back to Nachi Station or Kii Katsuura Station from here.
As a day trip it's going to take you from early morning (6am) to late at night (10.30pm) with all of the travel time. Unless you stay overnight in town which is an option. Kii Katsuura is a nice little port town with places to stay.
The area is essentially the end of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. There is a short walk called Daimonzaka you can do which takes you to the main village area near the falls. It's a 600m climb up steps surrounded by majestic cedar trees and dense forest, really a nice walk that only takes 30 mins or so. Be prepared for a LOT more steps to get up to the temple area that overlooks the falls.
A great photo opportunity presents itself with an orange pagoda and the falls behind it, not to be missed. Keep following the signs down to the waterfall which has a torii gate at the bottom that again makes a nice photo. A street lined with souvenir stores is nearby and you can also take the bus back to Nachi Station or Kii Katsuura Station from here.
As a day trip it's going to take you from early morning (6am) to late at night (10.30pm) with all of the travel time. Unless you stay overnight in town which is an option. Kii Katsuura is a nice little port town with places to stay.
Written 23 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sekaitraveller
Banff, Canada128 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Frankly, in this small area, you could write a review for several different attractions like the Daimonzaka, Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seigantoji and Hirou Shrine. I will only write one review here: We walked the whole way to the falls from Nachi Station (about 8kms) completing our verson of Kumano Kodo pilgrimage which we started a few days before from Takijiri (see other reviews if interested). We walked up Daimonzaka and dropped off our walking sticks at the souvenir shop for re-use. Then we gained elevation to visit Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seigantoji, stopping for pictures along the way, then visiting the pagoda for more pics and extra fee, worth it and walking down to Hirou Shrine for another extra fee for the close up of the falls and the small plate that you use to drink water from the falls that is meant to extend your life. In reality, before public transit, people had to walk here on the Kumano Kodo so they were in shape and generally did live longer -- Japan is full of these neat historical little tidbits and traditions and if you haven't figured out that fresh air and exercise will increase your life yet that's another story...Frankly, a couple of 300 yen fees after walking about 50kms to end our trek here was more than worth it. When will I ever be back? The area is beautiful, well-manicured, ancient, scenic, even in atmospheric (read: bad) weather. The order presented earlier is how I would do it if I did it again, we were able to catch a bus just outside the Hirou Shrine to get us back to Kii-Katsuura in the afternoon. These falls may sit closer to the more commercial falls I've ever been to because I hike the backcountry but I've also been to Niagara Falls and let me tell you, this place isn't even close to the rampant and unbridled commercialization you will see there!
Written 23 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo B
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Couples
Hi, from September 2024 until end of December 2024, the Pagoda is under construction and covered in scaffolding and a printed screen. We’re beyond disappointed. Wanted to warn other travellers.
Written 6 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AhasverSaoPaulo
Sao Paulo674 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Best accessible by car or bus. Also a popular pilgrimage if you are still fit enough.
First stop is usually a parking lot on a slope opposite the falls from where you walk down many stairs of old stone slabs (handrail) to a platform below the falls. The torii of the small Shinto Shrine there is the standard fpto backdrop for the tour group.
Tipp: at the rightmost window of the Shrine there is a little door. For a spiritual contribution of only ¥300 you can from there coimb up some additional steps to two platforms mich closer to the falls and with VERY few tourists (the groups don't have the time). As a matter of fact, for more than ten minutes we were there alone!
After that you have to climb up back to the parking lot. From there it is strongly recommended to go up further to both the Buddhist Temple with its beautiful Pagoda and to another (bigger) Shinto Shrine.
The view if the falls from there is piceless
(If you cannot or do not want to climb up there, parking is available for ¥800)
First stop is usually a parking lot on a slope opposite the falls from where you walk down many stairs of old stone slabs (handrail) to a platform below the falls. The torii of the small Shinto Shrine there is the standard fpto backdrop for the tour group.
Tipp: at the rightmost window of the Shrine there is a little door. For a spiritual contribution of only ¥300 you can from there coimb up some additional steps to two platforms mich closer to the falls and with VERY few tourists (the groups don't have the time). As a matter of fact, for more than ten minutes we were there alone!
After that you have to climb up back to the parking lot. From there it is strongly recommended to go up further to both the Buddhist Temple with its beautiful Pagoda and to another (bigger) Shinto Shrine.
The view if the falls from there is piceless
(If you cannot or do not want to climb up there, parking is available for ¥800)
Written 28 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi all, are there any campervan parks in this area?
I can't find any good camper van park maps of Japan.
Written 10 October 2024
Hi ,we are going to visit Nachi falls in 27 December this year just wonder to know there will still beautiful or not in the mid of winter season and we are worry about water supply also please if you have some information let us know, thanks you for helping.
Written 8 November 2019
Hi, I'm planning a trip to Japan in July, would it be possible to go to Nachi Falls as a day trip from Koyasan? Are there any direct buses or trains we could take?
Written 8 April 2019
We drove to Nachi fall .. not sure about public transport. But I did see a lot of local hiking the area
Written 9 April 2019
BoardingPass629743
Bengaluru, India
Hi,
I am planning a trip to Japan end of march. I am quite interested for visiting the nachi falls. However, does the fall have enough water now to click good pictures of the 3 tiered pagoda. My main purpose are pictures for my travel blog and i am not into too much editing. So wanted to check if the falls have enough water to click good pictures and would it be worth the effort to travel 4 hrs one way from osaka.
Written 15 March 2019
No worries water is not an issue furthermore now coming to end of winter ... a lot of water supply
Written 16 March 2019
I want to know if it s a
good way to stay in hotel in Ise and get to know Nachi Fall,Ise Jingu and Iga Ninja Museum and make a short trip to Toba i will go by car .
Three day it s ok time or its too short?
Written 22 October 2018
Nachi would be a minimum of 5 hrs round-trip by car from Ise, so that alone would require one full day. The other three could be done in two days, depending on how much you want to see in Toba.
Written 23 October 2018
was wondering if anyone took public bus and visit Nachi Taisha,Nachi falls, and then visit Yunomine ONsen town on the same day. then return back to Kii katsuura station?
would like to know how you plan the bus schedule ?
Written 6 October 2018
We certainly caught the bus from KiiKatsuura Station to the Falls.
It is not a long journey and a very beautiful climb to the hills. The gardens of the shrine are extensive and very attractive and there are many buildings. I am not sure where Yunimine Onsen is, but I would consider that you will not want to rush the visit to shrine and waterfall especially if the weather is fine. Raining? Well, maybe swap to visit onsen altogether.
Written 7 October 2018
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