Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine

As described in the "Fireflies" chapter of The Tale of Genji: "Murasaki too had become addicted to romances. Her excuse was that Genji's little daughter insisted on being read to. 'Just see what a fine one this is,' she said, showing Genji an illustration for The Tale of Kumano."

Nachi Falls

View of Nachi Falls from below Kumano-Nachi shrine.

Kumano Nachi Taisha was one of the three shrines of the Kumano faith (Kumano Sanzan), a Buddhist-Shinto cult devoted to a long life and rebirth in paradise. In the 12th century, four retired emperors made almost 100 pilgrimages to these shrines in Wakayama and the monk Mongaku's amazing austerities at Nachi Falls are recounted in The Tale of the Heike.

Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine

The Kumano-Nachi grand shrine near Japan's highest waterfall.

Nachi shrine sits next to Seiganto-ji temple, the first stop on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage.

Entrance to Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Daimonzaka

Entrance to Kumano-Nachi Taisha's Daimonzaka path.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Daimonzaka Path

Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Daimonzaka path.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Torii

Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine torii.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Haiden

Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Haiden.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Crow

Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine buildings.

Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Kami

Tree designated a kami at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Momiji

Autumn foliage at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.

Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Falls

Misty falls at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine

Shrine maiden at Kumano-Nachi Taisha.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Pond

Kumano-Nachi Taisha's pond.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Seigantoji

View of Seigantoji Temple from Kumano-Nachi Taisha.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Falls Torii

Torii in front of the falls near Kumano-Nachi Taisha.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Falls

At the base of Nachi Falls.

Kumano-nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Teahouse

Teahouse near the falls at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.