Sasa Falls, Mountain waterfall in Totsukawa, Japan
Sasa Falls is a roughly 32-meter waterfall in the Kumano Mountains that plunges through dense forest. The water descends vertically from the rocky outcrop above, collecting in a pool surrounded by thick vegetation and stone formations.
The Ministry of Environment officially recognized this waterfall in 1990 by including it in Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls list. This designation gave it protected status and brought wider attention to the site.
The waterfall holds spiritual meaning in local Shinto beliefs, which view such natural formations as sacred places. People from nearby towns visit to mark seasonal celebrations and maintain a quiet reverence for the site.
The path to the waterfall follows narrow mountain roads and a marked trail that starts from a torii gate. The terrain can be slippery depending on weather, so sturdy footwear and careful footing are recommended.
The water splits into separate streams as it falls, creating multiple channels before reuniting in the pool below. This natural division happens because of the rocky surface and creates a distinctive visual pattern.
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