Visiting Nachi Waterfall, Japan
Discover the extraordinary Nachi Falls, nestled among the Kii Mountains and the pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo. Known as Japan’s tallest free-falling waterfall, the water plunges from 133 meters high, surrounded by ancient woodland and peaceful shrines.
It’s also famous for the incredible view of a red pagoda with the waterfall in the background, and we think it’s absolutely worth the trip!
Did you know? The falls are located within the Kii Mountains: the birthplace of the Kumano faith, which worships nature and the gods. People come to Nachi Falls to pray to an important Shinto deity, and it’s also one of the stops on the famous Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, a four-day walk through the mountains.
Combine your southern trip to Nachi Falls with a stop at Koyasan and some other sacred sites. This part of our Japan itinerary was one of our favorites; we wouldn’t want to have missed this!
We recommend to rent a car in Japan through Rentalcars.com with many rental locations and flexible cancellation. Book your rental car here.
Nachi Falls
First, head to Nachi Waterfall, the tallest single-drop waterfall in Japan! It’s seriously impressive watching the powerful flow of water fall from such a great height. A personal highlight for us was when the sun’s light touched the falls, creating a rainbow across the water. Come as early as possible to have this magical moment completely for yourself!
From the viewing platform (300 yen/2 USD entry), you can get an unobstructed view of the Nachi Falls! Although this is a nice thing to do if you have the budget, we wouldn’t say it’s necessary as you can also find great views as you wander across the complex.
There is no dedicated shrine at the falls. However, it’s a very sacred spot for the Japanese; you’ll see pilgrims and locals praying towards the falls.
Important information:
In total, you only need about 30 minutes to visit the waterfall. After that, you can climb the stone stairs to visit the temples. Please note that you cannot touch the falls or swim in the pool below. People come here only to see the view — which is well worth it in our opinion!
Opening times: The area is open 24/7, but the temples are closed at certain times. There are multiple temples and shrines to see, but we recommend visiting the waterfall first, as that space is the smallest.
The Shrines
Apart from gazing in wonder at the majestic falls, you can also visit a few other beautiful sites in the area. Some iconic spots are the red Seiganto-ji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the holy Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.
Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine
This first temple you’ll reach (after many stairs from Nachi Falls!) is the Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine. This vibrant red temple is one of three Kumano shrines in the area, representing each of the three Kumano mountains. This showcases the powerful connection between spirituality and nature in Japan.
One of the things we loved about this shrine was the prayer boards you can buy to write a message or a wish on. Part of this ritual involves walking through the trunk of an ancient holy tree (nearly 1000 years old) holding your prayer board. This journey is said to represent rebirth and make your wishes come true!
Read more about our favorite things to do in Japan
However, most people come to Nachi Falls for the famous Seiganto-ji pagoda! This scarlet red pagoda, towering across the valley with its three stories, is one of the most scenic pagodas in Japan. It’s an iconic view loved by photographers, as it’s framed by a backdrop of the falls and the surrounding greenery.
Tip: We visited in the fall, and the red, orange, and yellow colors of the foliage made this view even more impressive!
Entry Fee and Opening Times
The well-known UNESCO Seiganto-ji Temple is right beside the parking lot (just take the stairs down). Once you’ve viewed Nachi Falls from its base, it’s a 30-minute hike up charming stone steps to the shrine for beautiful views.
Although the site of Nachi Falls is free to visit, you must pay 300 yen/2 USD to enter the red pagoda. Open from 8.30 AM – 4 PM daily.
Tip: Every year, on July 14th, the Nachi Fire Festival takes place. If you’re visiting during summer, time your trip to Nachi Falls for this date. Participants practice Shinto rituals, carrying mammoth flaming torches down to the falls. It’s one of the most famous festivals in the region!
The entire route is spectacular, but if you don’t have four days, Daimonzaka is an excellent alternative and a lovely way to reach the falls.
Walk along a stone-stepped path among towering cedar trees, some of which are nearly 1,000 years old. The dappled sunlight passing through the tree canopy is beautiful!
You can also rent traditional Heian costumes at the start of the trail (ancient pilgrim costumes from the Heian era). Unlike in many places, this is not considered cultural appropriation in Japan. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; locals encourage visitors to dress in traditional outfits to understand cultural practices better.
How to get there: When taking the bus to Nachi Waterfall, get off at the Daimonzaka bus stop just before. From there, it’s around a 30-minute hike to the falls. See the full bus timetable here.
Other Things to do near Nachi Falls, Japan
On our trip to the southern prefecture of Wakayama, we combined Nachi Falls with some other incredible spots. It was such a memorable part of the trip!
Note: All the things to do below are on your route from Osaka to Nachi Falls. It’s a great way to break up the long drive.
We recommend to rent a car in Japan through Rentalcars.com with many rental locations and flexible cancellation. Book your rental car here.
Pack a picnic for your drive and stop at Tanize Suspension Bridge for lunch. The whole drive is incredibly scenic, but this is definitely one of the nicest spots on your route.
How to get there: On your route from Osaka to Nachi Falls, you’ll find the suspension bridge about halfway. This is approximately 2 hours into your drive. Here is the exact location.
Hongu Taisha
Remember we talked about the Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine? Well, the Hongu Taisha is another one of the three Kumano shrines in the area. This one sits at the end of the great Kumano-Kodo 4-day pilgrimage trail, and wow, is it a sight at the end of the journey!
The enormous dark wooden shrine, surrounded by luscious green rice paddies, was moved from its original location of Oyunohara (1 km away) due to terrible flooding. However, you can still walk to the original spot, which is marked by 33-meter-high torii gates—the biggest in the world!
Our Top Tip! Looking directly onto the Torii gate, you’ll find Coffee Stand Sei, where you can get some of the best coffee in Japan with a sensational view! A ceramic and glass shop is also on-site if you want to grab some souvenirs from your trip.
Entry fee and opening times: The temple is free to enter. However, there’s a 300 yen/2 USD entry fee if you want to visit the treasure room. It’s open every day from 8 AM – 5 PM.
Hongu Taisha makes a great stop on your way to Nachi Falls from bigger cities in Japan, like Osaka. You’ll find it about 3 hours into your journey.
Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine is one of Japan’s many hot spring towns (onsens), which are an essential part of Japanese culture. Locals come together to bathe in the natural hot springs dotted around this area, with each one said to have different health benefits, whether for bad backs or stomach problems.
You’ll notice that most onsens in Yunomine are public. This means you’ll be using a shared bathing space, which requires you to respect the rules and regulations of Onsen culture:
- Refrain from talking to provide the most peaceful environment possible.
- Patrons are generally naked.
- Tattoos are prohibited in most onsens because of the long-running stigmatization of tattoos in Japan.
- The onsens in Yunoine are mainly divided by gender. However, there are also private onsens if you prefer.
- Many of these onsens are found inside hotels and guesthouses. We stayed at J-Hoppers Guesthouse, and it was fantastic!
Where to Stay near Nachi Falls
As the journey to Nachi Falls is relatively long, many people stay in Nachikatsuura for the night. The small fishing village is situated on the coast, just a 15-minute drive away. This is where you’ll also find the majority of restaurants in the area, as well as a famous fish market. (See all hotels in Nachikatsuura)
Another great option is Yunomine Onsen, a hot spring village an hour away from Nachi Falls. This is an excellent option after a day at Nachi Falls, as it’s on your route back to Osaka or Kyoto. There are plenty of traditional Ryokans and more luxurious hot spring hotels to choose from. (See all hotels in Yunomine)
Note: Ryokans are great options for your stay in Nachi Falls. This involves a customary Japanese sleeping arrangement, with a futon on the floor and pillows with beans inside. Although it might not be the most comfortable (!), it’s a fun and immersive insight into Japanese culture.
How Many Days in Nachi Falls?
Nachi Falls can be visited on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. However, remember that it’s a 4-5 hour drive or a 6-8 hour journey on public transport. It’s doable, but for something more relaxing, we recommend spending 2-3 days on a road trip through this region. For example, you can combine your visit to Nachi Falls with other sacred spots in the area.
How to Visit Nachi Falls, Japan
Nachi Falls is an off-the-beaten-track destination in the Wakayama prefecture, located among the remote Kii Mountain Range. It’s about 4-5 hours from Osaka and Kyoto (by car).
By Car
Compared to other places in Japan, Nachi Falls is not as well connected by public transport (6h). Because of this, it’s too much for a day trip, but we recommend a multi-day road trip! We rented a car for a few days and had the best time visiting Koyasan, Nachi Falls, Yunomine Onsen, and Hongu Taisha. Here is a rough itinerary:
- Start: Osaka or Kyoto
- Day 1: Temple stay in Koyasan (highly recommended)
- Day 2: Nachi Falls (stop off at Hongu Taisha). Overnight at Yunomine Onsen or Nachikatsuura
We recommend to rent a car in Japan through Rentalcars.com with many rental locations and flexible cancellation. Book your rental car here.
By Public Transport
If you are taking public transport, here is the best way to reach Nachi Falls from Osaka:
- Take the train from Tennoji Station in Osaka to the JR Kii-Katsuura Station in the center of Nachikatsuura. It’s a beautiful coastal train ride that takes around 4 hours (covered by your Japan Rail Pass).
- Once at Nachikatsuura train station, walk over the road to the bus station. Take bus number 31, headed for Nachi Falls (a 30-minute drive). The price is 630 yen/4.50 USD one way to Nachi Falls. On the way, you can get dropped off at the Daimonzaka bus stop for the hike (one-way ticket: 480 yen/3.50 USD). Here is the full timetable.
- From the bus drop-off, it’s just a 5-minute walk to Nachi Falls.
Note: The public transport time schedules on Google Maps are very accurate in Japan, so it’s best to check the most updated times there.
Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass gives you unlimited access to all public transport throughout Japan, so it’s a great option if you take the Shinkansen (bullet train) several times. It’s also multi-use for other trains, ferries, and buses throughout the country.
Buy your Japan Rail Pass in advance here
Getting Around
Once you’ve reached Nachi Falls parking, it’s a 5-minute walk to the waterfall. There are multiple parking spaces in the area. However, at the waterfall itself, there are just a handful of spots. If you can’t find parking there, you can also drive uphill to the Nachitaisha or Seigantoji parking lot.
To visit most temples, it is best to park as high as possible; we parked at Seigantoji parking. We managed to park there for free as we visited early in the morning. However, you will be charged later in the day. Depending on your chosen area, the cost is 500 (3.50 USD) – 1000 yen (7 USD).
Tip: If you’re flexible, we recommend arriving around 8 AM or earlier. This will give you at least an hour of peace before the tourist groups arrive. It’s also the best way to get a parking spot; any later can mean you miss out.
Best Cafes and Restaurants
Although Nachi Falls is located in the remote Kii Mountains, there are still some lovely spots to eat and drink. The mountainous and coastal region is known for its fantastic food, so you’ll find ingredients like fresh fish, wild boar, and sweet citrus fruits. In fact, the nearby fishing village of Katsuura has the highest amount of tuna in the country!
Budget for Nachi Falls
Nachi Falls itself is free to visit, and you can see the facades of all the nearby temples for free. However, you will need some budget if you’d like to enter the red Seiganto-ji pagoda or access the viewing platform (300 yen/2 USD each). You’ll also need a little extra for the parking fee.
Top Tip: Japan can be an expensive place to travel, so if you’d like to have a quick snack or an affordable takeaway lunch, we recommend going to the supermarkets. You can usually find delicious sushi-style snacks or even a fresh-fruit smoothie.
Save money on your travel by purchasing your Japan Rail Pass in advance here
Best Time to Visit Nachi Waterfall, Japan
Not only is Nachi Falls a sacred spot, attracting pilgrims and spiritualists from all over the world, but it’s also a destination for organized tours. This means it can be very busy, with the first tour buses arriving around 09:30 AM. Because of this, we recommend arriving as early as possible — nothing beats seeing these falls in the first morning light with no one else around!
Spring is stunning in terms of season, with candy pinks decorating the surrounding landscape. We visited in the fall, which we think is equally beautiful; the foliage around Nachi Waterfall was a mixture of orange, red, and yellow hues.
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