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Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社), also known as Nachi Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the three grand shrines of Kumano Sanzan (熊野三山), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes three shrines: Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hongu Taisha.
Nachi Taisha is dedicated to the Kami (Deity) of the Nachi Waterfall and enshrined in the Go-Shintai, the sacred body of the shrine. It also has associations with Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion. The shrine has a long history, dating back over 1,700 years, and is considered one of the most sacred sites in Japan. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout its history, with the current main hall (honden) being built in 1846.
Visitors to Nachi Taisha can explore the shrine grounds, including the honden, the three-storied pagoda, and the sacred camphor tree (クスノキ). They can also hike to the top of Nachi Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Japan, for stunning views of the surrounding area. The shrine is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Kumano Sanzan, especially those walking the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.
Adjacent to the shrine is Seiganto-ji Temple (青岸渡寺), a Buddhist temple that, together with Nachi Taisha, forms a unique syncretic complex of Shinto and Buddhist elements. The temple’s three-storied pagoda, with the waterfall in the background, creates a picturesque scene that has become an iconic image of Kumano.
Getting there
By Bus
From Kii-Katsuura Station:
- Take a bus bound for Nachi Station
- Get off at Nachisan bus stop
- Journey time: About 30 minutes
- Cost: 630 yen
From Nachi Station:
- Take a bus bound for Nachisan
- Journey time: About 20 minutes
- Cost: 490 yen
Buses depart approximately every 45 minutes from both stations.
By Car
- About 10 kilometers inland from Katsuura village
- Parking available near Seigantoji Temple, allowing you to skip the stairs
Walking Option
- Get off the bus at Daimonzaka bus stop
- Hike up the 600-meter stone-paved Daimon-zaka slope
- Takes about 20-30 minutes
Details
| Hours | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM |
| Admission | Free |
| Phone | +81 735-55-0321 |
| Address | 1 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama 649-5301 |
| Official Website | https://kumanonachitaisha.or.jp/ |
