Kanba Falls, Natural waterfall in Maniwa, Japan
Kanba Falls is a waterfall on the Kanba River, a tributary of the Asahi River, in Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture. It drops 110 meters over limestone in two tiers, about 20 meters wide; the upper tier is visible only from above. A promenade leads from the parking area to the base in about five minutes.
Kanba Falls was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty under the name "Kanba-baku". It was later chosen for the Top 100 Waterfalls of Japan list in 1990 and for the 100 Landscapes of Japan. The surrounding area is part of the Yubara-Okutsu Prefectural Natural Park.
The legend of Princess Teruhime and the monk Seikai tells that the two leapt into the falls together and were saved by a beam of light; Seikai later carved the Yasojizo statue, kept near the falls. It is said to be Japan's only Buddhist image granting love and healing, and visitors walk around it three times while praying.
From JR Chugoku-Katsuyama Station, take a taxi for about 10 minutes to reach the falls. A parking area and a maintained walking path lead to the base of the falls in about 5 minutes on foot. The path passes Tama-dare Falls, where water drips through moss into the river.
A population of wild monkeys inhabits the forest near the falls and appears frequently between December and March when food becomes scarce higher up. Spotting these animals adds an unexpected wildlife element to a visit focused on water and rock.
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