Kumano Kodo Day Tour: Roundtrip from Osaka | Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, Seiganto-ji Temple, and Nachi Falls for an Easy Pilgrimage
Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine is located in Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Formerly a sanctuary, it was designated a central shrine (now a separate shrine within the main shrine office). It is one of the Kumano Three Mountains. The principal deity is Kumano Fusumi-no-Okami.
Nachi Falls (Nachi Taki) is a waterfall located on the Nachi River in Nachikatsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The waterfall is 133 meters high and 13 meters wide. It is considered one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, along with Kegon Falls and Fukuroda Falls.
Package Options
Product Info
Purchase Notice
The driver-guide mode does not include any explanations provided. This tour will depart on time, so please arrive at the meeting point on time. Late arrivals will result in cancellation and no cancellations or changes. Thank you for your understanding.
Please wear clothes and shoes suitable for outdoor activities on the day of your trip.
This tour does not include lunch. There is free time for lunch, which is at your own expense.
The weather outdoors is cold in autumn and winter, so please prepare warm clothes.
Reminders
Notes:
1. Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. The bus will depart on time, so please be sure to observe the departure schedule. The company is not responsible for late arrivals, and no refunds will be given. Please note this.
2. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by closures or time restrictions at various attractions.
3. Please be aware that the itinerary may be adjusted due to traffic jams or bad weather.
4. Sometimes the trip must be cancelled due to natural disasters or abnormal weather conditions. In this case, please contact us to confirm the departure status.
5. The time for visiting each attraction is determined by the traffic conditions along the way or the number of participants on the day.
6. If you are late for a trip due to traffic problems and cannot join the trip, it will be considered as a cancellation and no refund will be given.
7. The company will not refund if the passenger abandons the tour due to personal reasons.
8. During Spring Break, holidays, or the Lunar New Year holiday, the scheduled tour may end later than usual due to traffic congestion. In addition, if the return time is delayed due to other unavoidable reasons, and the customer needs to take a taxi or stay in the hotel, the company will not be responsible for the cost.
9. Smoking is prohibited throughout the trip, and there are no restrooms. Eating and drinking in the car is prohibited. If the car is dirty, you will need to pay for the driver's cleaning fee.
10. Seat assignments are not possible.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 8 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 5 to 7 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–4 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
To reach Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, visitors typically take a train to Kii-Katsuura Station. From there, local buses provide direct access to the Nachisan area, where the shrine is located. The bus journey from Kii-Katsuura Station to Nachisan takes about 20-30 minutes, followed by a walk up a stone staircase or an elevator for direct access to the shrine area.
Kumano Nachi Taisha is one of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano, located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It is dedicated to Kumano Fusumi-no-Okami and deeply rooted in ancient mountain worship. Known for its vibrant vermilion architecture, it stands beside the majestic Nachi Falls, reflecting a unique fusion of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs developed over centuries.
Visitors can participate in prayer and spiritual experiences within the main sanctuary of Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. Offerings can be made and prayers recited according to traditional Shinto practices. The serene atmosphere of the shrine, surrounded by ancient cedars and the sacred Nachi Falls, naturally encourages contemplation and a spiritual connection for many visitors.
Nachi Falls is revered as a sacred object itself, not merely a backdrop for a shrine. It is believed to be the dwelling place of the deity Hiryū Gongen and has been a site of nature worship since ancient times. Its powerful cascade, standing 133 meters tall as Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall, has long inspired spiritual awe and is central to the Kumano faith.
Nachi Falls and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine share a profound spiritual and geographical connection. The shrine was originally built in adoration of the waterfall, which is revered as a divine entity. The sacred path leading to the shrine often includes viewpoints of the falls, symbolizing the spiritual journey towards the divine and emphasizing their intertwined sacredness.
Seiganto-ji Temple is historically significant as one of the oldest temples in Japan, believed to have been established in the 4th century. It is uniquely positioned adjacent to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, exemplifying the syncretism of Shintoism and Buddhism prevalent in the Kumano region. The temple offers an iconic view of Nachi Falls from its famous three-story pagoda.
Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004 for their exceptional cultural landscape. They embody over 1,200 years of unique Shinto-Buddhist syncretism, continuous pilgrimage traditions, and a deep reverence for nature. These sites represent a living cultural tradition of sacred trails.
Highlights include witnessing the majestic Nachi Falls, Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall, often seen with the three-story pagoda of Seiganto-ji Temple in the foreground. At Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, visitors can admire its vibrant vermilion architecture, participate in traditional prayers, and explore the ancient camphor tree, which is said to be 850 years old and considered sacred.
Get Help
