Nachi Waterfall

Nachi Waterfall has a drop of 133 meters which makes it one of Japans tallest waterfalls. It is a short distance away from Nachi Taisha and Seigantoji. At the top of the waterfall is a tied rope related to Shinto tradition. It is said that there is a dragon god protecting the waterfall, and every July and December, a grand ceremony is preformed to change the rope. Nachi Waterfall was venerated by the earliest Japanese people before the development of organized religious doctrine. In 1918, at the base of the waterfall a Sutra mound was excavated and contained many important archaeological artifacts like mirrors, altar fittings, Sutra cylinders, and statues. These items are now displayed in the Ryuhoden (Treasure Hall) at Nachi Taisha. A Buddhist was once built at the top of the falls, but was destroyed during the Meiji Restoration.