Apr 23, 2014 - 1 min read

Nachi Falls, Wakayama

One of Japan's highest waterfalls

By Martijn Beckers

Community writer

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Only when standing below the waterfall do you get a true grasp of its height and size.

The long flight of steps towards the shrine.

A gigantic tree in the center of the shrine.

A breathtaking view of the valley with the waterfall and shrine pagoda.

The other side of the valley, with the steps leading up to the summit.

The entire path was marked with flags.

At the end of the day, a storm was brewing on the horizon.

As part of a two day school trip to Wakayama prefecture in February of 2012, we stopped at Nachi Falls. Often thought of as being Japan's highest waterfall with a 133 meter drop, it is actually only topped by Hannoki Falls in Toyama prefecture. A platform was built in order to view the waterfall from a safe, but very close distance. Only when standing on the platform do you get a sense of magnitude and awe that inspired the Japanese to build a nearby shrine on the top of a hill to honor the Kami, or spirit that resides in the waterfall. From the summit shrine the whole valley stretches out below you, definitely worth climbing all the steps to get there!