Nunobiki Falls, Waterfall system near downtown Kobe, Japan
Nunobiki Falls is a group of four waterfalls in the Fukiai-chō district, just a short walk from downtown Kobe. Each waterfall flows through forested terrain and forms small pools separated by rock formations.
The waterfalls are mentioned in stories from the ninth century, when poets came here to write about the flowing water. Later, during the Meiji era, photographers documented the cascades and helped make them known beyond Japan.
The name of these cascades appears in classical Japanese writing, and travelers walking the path encounter information boards with old poems. Many visitors pause at the viewing points to sense the connection between water and literary tradition.
The hike starts near Shin-Kobe Station and follows paved trails that pass each cascade. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as some sections involve stairs and uneven ground.
One of the waterfalls forms a rectangular pool in the rock, shaped by centuries of erosion. This formation is often photographed by local hikers, as it differs from the rounder pools at other Japanese cascades.
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