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[Breaking News]Frozen waterfall in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a frozen waterfall basin and icy rock surface at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. (Kyodo)

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Frozen waterfall in western Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a frozen waterfall basin and icy rock surface at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

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Frozen waterfall in western Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows ice on the rock surface at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

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Sacred rope replaced at western Japan waterfall

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 11 Kyodo - Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2025, ahead of a festival at the nearby shrine, a World Heritage site. (Kyodo)

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Sacred rope replaced at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2025, ahead of a festival at the nearby shrine, a World Heritage site.

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Sacred rope replaced at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2025, ahead of a festival at the nearby shrine, a World Heritage site.

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[Breaking News]Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, April 14 Kyodo - "Miko" shrine attendants at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, dance in front of a waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2024. (Kyodo)

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Frozen waterfall plunge pool in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Feb. 5 Kyodo -Video taken on Feb. 5, 2025, shows the frozen plunge pool at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. (Kyodo)

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Frozen waterfall plunge pool in western Japan

Photo taken on Feb. 5, 2025, shows the frozen plunge pool at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

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Frozen waterfall plunge pool in western Japan

Photo taken on Feb. 5, 2025, shows the frozen plunge pool at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 8 Kyodo - Priests dressed in traditional attire beat wooden boards with willow branches in front of a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 8, 2025, during a ritual at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine to enhance the effectiveness of the talisman to ward off misfortune. (Kyodo)

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

Priests dressed in traditional attire beat wooden boards with willow branches in front of a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 8, 2025, during a ritual at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine to enhance the effectiveness of the talisman to ward off misfortune.

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Japan: Intense Rain Hits Evening Rush Hour In Tokyo, Trains Suspended 8

Heavy rainfall hit the Tokyo metropolitan area on Wednesday, August 21 disrupting some train services during evening rush hour. Videos posted on social media shows water falling from ceilings like a waterfall inside stations and streets flooded like a river across the city.

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Fire festival in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 14 Kyodo - White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2024. (Kyodo)

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Sacred rope replace at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2024, ahead of a festival.(Kyodo)

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Sacred rope replace at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2024, ahead of a festival.

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Sacred rope replace at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2024, ahead of a festival.

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

"Miko" shrine attendants at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, dance in front of a waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2024.(Kyodo)

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

"Miko" shrine attendants at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, dance in front of a waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2024.

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

"Miko" shrine attendants at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, dance in front of a waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2024.

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Sacred rope exchange at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred straw rope with a new one ahead of the New Year at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2023.

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Sacred rope exchange at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred straw rope with a new one ahead of the New Year at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2023.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2023, in preparation for an upcoming festival at nearby Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2023, in preparation for an upcoming festival at nearby Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine.

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

"Miko" shrine maidens dance in front of a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, during a Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2023.

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

"Miko" shrine maidens dance in front of a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, during a Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2023.

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Frozen waterfall plunge pool in western Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2023, shows World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture with its plunge pool frozen due to a severe cold snap that gripped the western Japan town and other parts of the country.

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Climber arrested for ascent of World Heritage waterfall

OSAKA, Japan - File photo taken in February 2012 shows Nachi Falls, a World Heritage site, in Wakayama, western Japan. A prominent climber was arrested July 15 on suspicion of rock climbing at the falls.

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Nachi Waterfall regains picturesque shape with ample rain

SHINGU, Japan - The picturesque shape of the 133-meter Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture is seen again on May 20 with the area getting ample rainfall in May.

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Nachi waterfall lit up for test

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan - The Nachi waterfall (R), one of the highest waterfalls in Japan, and nearby Seigantoji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture are lit up Dec. 19 in a test operation for the New Year's.

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"Shimenawa" straw rope replaced at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, on July 9, 2022, replace a large "shimenawa" straw rope with new one ahead of a fire festival on July 14. A huge rock on the top of a 133-meter waterfall near the shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is wrapped with shimenawa, consisting of rice straw and white paper cut in strips and considered a barrier against evil spirits.

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"Shimenawa" straw rope replaced at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, on July 9, 2022, replace a large "shimenawa" straw rope with new one ahead of a fire festival on July 14. A huge rock on the top of a 133-meter waterfall near the shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is wrapped with shimenawa, consisting of rice straw and white paper cut in strips and considered a barrier against evil spirits.

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

"Miko" maidens of Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, dance in front of a waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2022.

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Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

"Miko" maidens of Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, dance in front of a waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2022.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Priests of World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine dressed in traditional attire take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2021, ahead of the New Year.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Priests of World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine dressed in traditional attire take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2021, ahead of the New Year.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Priests of World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine dressed in traditional attire take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2021, ahead of the New Year.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Shrine priests dressed in traditional attire take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2021. The event was held to prepare for an upcoming festival at nearby Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Shrine priests dressed in traditional attire take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2021. The event was held to prepare for an upcoming festival at nearby Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine.

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A Tokyo Olympic torch relay participant poses for photos after arriving at the Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 9, 2021.

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A Tokyo Olympic torch relay participant poses for photos after arriving at the Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 9, 2021.

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Nachi Waterfall regains picturesque shape with ample rain

SHINGU, Japan - The picturesque shape of the 133-meter Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture is seen again on May 20 with the area getting ample rainfall in May. (Kyodo)

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Nachi waterfall lit up for test

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan - The Nachi waterfall (R), one of the highest waterfalls in Japan, and nearby Seigantoji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture are lit up Dec. 19 in a test operation for the New Year's. (Kyodo)

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Shinto rope over Nachi Waterfall

SHINGU, Japan - Shinto priests set up a ''shimenawa'' sacred rope at the top of the Nachi Waterfall in the town of Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, on Oct. 19, 2011. The 133-meter-tall fall is maintained as a sacred site by the Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine and its rope is usually renewed twice a year in July and December, but the previous rope was swept away in early September when the area was hit by flooding triggered by Typhoon Talas, leading to the day's operation. (Kyodo)

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The Nachi Falls

Nachi is also called Forty-eight Falls, and, as the name suggests, has many waterfalls. The most spectacular and famous is the one shown here called Ichi-no-Taki or O-taki. Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three major shrines in the Kumano region, is also located here. The shrine is said to date back to ancient times when this waterfall was thought to be a sacred place. Nachi was also a holy place for pilgrims who purified themselves at the waterfall before going up into the forest.==Date:unknown, Place:Wakayama, Photo:Usui Shuzaburo?, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number65‐21‐0]

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"Shimenawa" straw rope replaced at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine

Shinto shrine priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha in Wakayama Prefecture on Dec. 27, 2017 replace a large "shimenawa" straw rope with new one ahead of New Year. A huge rock on the top of a 133-meter waterfall near the shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is wrapped with shimenawa, consisting of rice straw and white paper cut in strips and considered a barrier against evil spirits. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Shimenawa" straw rope replaced at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine

Shinto shrine priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha in Wakayama Prefecture on Dec. 27, 2017 replace a large "shimenawa" straw rope with new one ahead of New Year. A huge rock on the top of a 133-meter waterfall near the shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is wrapped with shimenawa, consisting of rice straw and white paper cut in strips and considered a barrier against evil spirits. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests dressed in traditional costumes take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 13, 2020. The event was held to prepare for an upcoming festival at nearby Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine.

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Sacred rope exchange event at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests dressed in traditional costumes take part in an event to exchange a "shimenawa" sacred rope hanging over the top of Nachi waterfall in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 13, 2020. The event was held to prepare for an upcoming festival at nearby Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine.

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Ritual at western Japan shrine

"Miko" maidens of Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, perform a dance in front of the Nachi waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo