妹背の滝, Natural waterfall in Hatsukaichi, Japan
Imose Falls consists of two distinct cascades: the Female Fall drops approximately 50 meters while the Male Fall measures around 30 meters. Together these two flows create a natural formation set within a forested gorge.
The site contains the Daizu Shrine, established around 1,400 years ago as a subsidiary of the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima. This religious structure links the waterfall to the broader spiritual network of the region.
The two cascades are interpreted in local folklore as a married couple, with the taller one representing the wife and the shorter cascade representing the husband.
The site is accessible by car about one minute from Ono Interchange or on foot about twenty minutes from Onoura Station on the Sanyo Main Line. Access to the gorge is straightforward, though the terrain can be slippery when wet.
Upstream from the falls sits a recreational facility where visitors can try nagashi somen, an activity where participants catch noodles flowing through water channels. This hands-on experience offers a direct way to engage with a traditional Japanese pastime.
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