Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls

Freezing-cold water of Nachi Falls and a divine shrine

Takako Sakamoto Jan 13, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>The sculpture of Yata Garasu (Yata Crow). In a Japanese myth, this crow was dispatched to the Emperor Jinmu and guided him from Kumano to Yamato.</p>

<p>The dragon at the water purification font near the torii gate of Nachi Falls</p>

<p>This long, key-shaped hall is the sixth prayer hall of Nachi Taisha Shrine</p>

<p>Ice accretion from Nachi Falls on the rocks! I was told it was the first icing on the rocks in many years.</p>

<p>Seiganto-ji Temple (The Temple of Blue Waves). Along with Nachi Taisha Shrine, this temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's also one of the 33 temples of Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage.</p>

<p>The three-story pagoda and Nachi Falls. The shot from this angle is popular among photographers.</p>

<p>The first torii gate of Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine</p>

<p>The impressive main hall of Nachi Taisha Shrine</p>

In January 2011, a TV news report said the temperature had dropped at Nachi Falls and there was an accretion of ice on the rocks. This rare phenomenon is seldom seen in the warm climate of Wakayama Prefecture. As soon as I heard this, I loaded my camera and equipment in my car and headed toward Wakayama.

The volume of water from Nachi Falls was quite small, probably due to the cold winter season, yet the sheer height of the falls (133 meters) impressed me! I stared at the icing on the rocks until it was stamped in my memory, and prayed fervently at Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. Whenever I stand in front of this main prayer hall I feel purified by its holiness, and my spine stands straight.

Three Major Shrines in Kumano 1. Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls 2. Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine 3. Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine

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Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...