Uriwari Falls, Sacred waterfall in Wakasa, Japan
Uriwari Falls is a waterfall in Wakasa, Japan, where water flows over rocks to create a small cascade surrounded by moss-covered stones and dense forest. The site sits within Wakasa Uriwari Meisui Park, which preserves the natural landscape around the falls.
The falls gained official recognition in 1985 when added to Japan's list of 100 Famous Waters. The name comes from an old legend about water so cold it could split melons.
Local people treat this spring as a sacred space for water spirits, maintaining it with traditional rope decorations and bamboo fences that frame the natural setting. You can feel this reverence reflected in how the forest surrounds and protects the falls.
The falls can be reached via a 15-minute walk from JR Uenaka Station or a 12-minute drive from Wakasa Uenaka Interchange on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway. Visiting in the early morning helps you avoid crowds and allows the forest light to highlight the moss-covered rocks.
The waterfall basin displays unusual red-colored rocks created by rare red algae that requires specific environmental conditions to thrive. This distinctive coloring sets the falls apart from most other forest waterfalls in the region.
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