Nachi Falls

Attraction

Last updated September 07, 2026 Reviewed by the Japan Voyage editorial team

Prefecture

Wakayama

Type

Attraction

N/A

0 reviews

¥300

Entry Fee

Train Access

About This Destination

Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall at 133 meters, a sacred site of the Kumano pilgrimage for over a thousand years.

Nachi Falls is Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall, plunging 133 meters from a width of 13 meters into a sacred pool below. The waterfall is worshipped as a deity at Hiro Shrine, which sits at its base, and forms part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The view of the three-story pagoda of Kumano Nachi Taisha framing the falls is one of Japan's most photographed scenes. Visitors can pay a small fee to access an observation platform at the base for a closer look and even taste the sacred spring water, believed to grant longevity. The surrounding ancient cedar forests and stone-paved pilgrimage trails add to the spiritual atmosphere.

Location

Prefecture: Wakayama

Address: Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, Japan

Nearest Station: Kii-Katsuura Station

Best time to visit: Year-round; spring greenery and autumn foliage frame Japan's tallest waterfall and the vermilion pagoda

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: Small tea houses near the falls and along the pilgrimage route offer light refreshments.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Nachi Falls from Osaka?

Take the JR Kisei Line limited express "Kuroshio" from Shin-Osaka to Kii-Katsuura, a journey of about 4 hours. From there, a local bus reaches the falls in roughly 30 minutes for around ¥630.

What is Nachi Falls famous for?

Nachi Falls is Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall at 133 meters and is sacred to Kumano Nachi Taisha, part of the UNESCO Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. The classic view pairs the falls with the vermilion three-story pagoda of Seiganto-ji temple.

Is there a fee to see Nachi Falls?

Viewing the falls from the main area is free, while the closer Hiro-jinja viewing platform at the base costs ¥300. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather, and recent rainfall makes the cascade especially powerful.