Nunobiki Falls, Waterfall system in Kobe, Japan
Nunobiki Falls is a system of four cascading drops named Ontaki, Mentaki, Tsutsumigadaki, and Meotodaki located near central Kobe. The water flows in stages down a wooded hillside, creating layered layers of falling white water against dark rock.
These falls appear in classical Japanese literature dating back to ancient times as significant sites. Their reputation as sacred waters has remained central to local identity across many centuries.
The falls have inspired Japanese artists and poets for centuries, who captured the cascade's beauty in paintings and verses. Today visitors witness the same flowing water that moved creative minds across generations.
The falls can be reached by a walking trail from Shin-Kobe Station or via the Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway, offering easy access to the main cascade. Well-marked paths guide visitors through the falls, though hiking boots and careful footing are recommended, especially when surfaces are wet.
The falls hold a special rank among Japan's most sacred waterfalls, counted among only three sites with this spiritual designation. This ancient classification reflects the deep reverence that people have held for them across generations.
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