Nunobiki Falls, Waterfall system in Chūō-ku, 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.

Beside Ontaki, the tallest of the four falls at 43 m, the rock holds five potholes, the largest about the size of ten tatami mats. Local legend says these hollows lead to the Ryugu Castle, the dragon palace of the sea.