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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Japan’s Tallest Waterfall
Travel to Nachi Falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan and long-worshiped sacred site in Wakayama Prefecture
Nachi-Katsuura Tourism Organization
With its 133-meter drop from the top, Nachi Falls in Wakayama Prefecture is the tallest waterfall in Japan and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2004. It is said that locals in ancient times believed that the area was sacred and that the falls were where a spiritual deity existed. According to an ancient text called the Records of Ancient Matters, Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan enthroned in 660 B.C., disovered a place on his journey called Jimmu Tousei on his journey, where he conquered the eastern area with his army. After that, the falls became famous as a sacred site, and more people started to worship there. Once you visit the falls, you will see why people felt such a spiritual presence. The locals of Nachikatsuura have taken good care of the surrounding area, preserving the falls as a sanctuary that people visit for the same spiritual deity that the ancient locals worshipped.
How to get there
Approximately 4 hours from Shin-Osaka by JR limited express and 20 minutes by bus from Kii-Katsuura Station.
Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken
