A Historic Place Connected to the Kumano Kodo
An Important Mountain Pass for Pilgrims
The area where Nachi Kogen Park now stands was once known as Otodaira. It was an important crossroads where the road leading toward Irokawa Village and the historic Ogumotori-goe section of the Kumano Kodo met.
During the centuries when pilgrimage to Kumano flourished, many pilgrims visited Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine before continuing over the mountains toward Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine. For these travelers, the highland area served as a place to rest during their demanding journey and as an important stopping point on their spiritual pilgrimage.
A Park Created to Celebrate the National Tree-Planting Festival
In 1977, the 28th National Tree-Planting Festival was held in this area. The event inspired the development of the present-day park, which was designed as a place where visitors could enjoy and learn about the surrounding forest environment.
The park includes an observation deck, rest areas, a woodland area suitable for birdwatching, and a playground. These facilities make it an enjoyable destination for people of different ages while preserving the peaceful character of the natural landscape.
Panoramic Views of Nachi Falls
A View of One of Japan’s Most Famous Waterfalls
One of the highlights of Nachi Kogen Park is the observation deck at the southeastern edge of the park. From here, visitors can look down toward the distant Nachi Falls, one of Japan’s most celebrated waterfalls.
The waterfall plunges through the dense forest of the Nachi Primeval Forest, creating a remarkably mysterious landscape. From the observation deck, the water can be seen descending in several streams, helping visitors understand why Nachi Falls has traditionally been associated with the image of a waterfall divided into multiple strands.
Seen from a distance, Nachi Falls forms a beautiful composition with the surrounding mountains and forests. The scenery provides a different experience from viewing the waterfall from close range and offers a peaceful opportunity to appreciate the relationship between the waterfall and the sacred natural landscape of Kumano.
Standing quietly in the mountain air and looking toward the distant falls can be a particularly calming experience.
The Trailhead to Fujimidai
A Place Where Mount Fuji May Be Visible
Nachi Kogen Park also provides access to a trail leading toward Fujimidai, a viewpoint known for its distant views toward Mount Fuji when weather and atmospheric conditions are favorable.
Fujimidai on nearby Mount Myoho is particularly famous as one of the locations from which Mount Fuji can be seen at an exceptionally long distance. The viewpoint is approximately 322.6 kilometers from Mount Fuji.
On clear winter mornings, when the air is especially crisp, it may be possible to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji far beyond the mountains. This rare view has attracted hikers and photography enthusiasts interested in capturing one of Japan’s most unusual distant vistas.
The trail from Nachi Kogen Park to Fujimidai is approximately 1 kilometer long and takes around 20 minutes for experienced walkers. The short mountain walk is another enjoyable way to experience the quiet natural environment around Nachi.
The Gateway to Ogumotori-goe
A Challenging Section of the Kumano Kodo
Nachi Kogen Park is located near the entrance to Ogumotori-goe, one of the more challenging mountain routes along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi pilgrimage route.
Ogumotori-goe connects the area around Kumano Nachi Taisha with Koguchi in Shingu City. Its name conveys the image of crossing mountains so high that they seem to reach the clouds. The route includes steep and demanding sections, but this rugged character is also part of its appeal.
Among the various routes of the Kumano Kodo, Ogumotori-goe is particularly valued for its relatively untouched mountain scenery. Walking along the ancient trail offers a sense of how pilgrims traveled through the Kii Mountains centuries ago.
Historic Resting Places Along the Trail
Several historic sites associated with former pilgrimage journeys can be found along the route, including the remains of Noboritate-jaya Teahouse, Funami-jaya Teahouse, and Jizo-jaya Teahouse.
These places once provided pilgrims with opportunities to rest during the difficult mountain journey. From Funami Pass, travelers can enjoy expansive views toward the Kumano Sea and the town of Nachikatsuura, offering a landscape that generations of pilgrims may also have admired.
The route is also associated with the mysterious legend known as “Meeting with the Dead”. Such stories reflect the deep connection between the Kumano pilgrimage and traditional Japanese ideas about life, death, and the spiritual world.
Kumano has long been regarded as a sacred land associated with the otherworld, and many mysterious legends and spiritual traditions remain connected to its mountains and pilgrimage routes.
Nearby Highlights
Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine
Kumano Nachi Taisha is one of the three great shrines of Kumano and is famous for its striking vermilion buildings surrounded by the forests of the Nachi Mountains.
The shrine’s principal deity, Kumano Fusumi no Okami, has traditionally been revered as a deity associated with connection and harmony. Many visitors come to pray for good relationships and positive connections in life.
The shrine grounds also include Mitagihiko Shrine, dedicated to the legendary three-legged crow known as the Yatagarasu. The shrine and its surroundings offer visitors a glimpse into the distinctive mythology and spiritual traditions of Kumano.
Seiganto-ji Temple at Nachisan
Seiganto-ji Temple is famous as the first temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a historic pilgrimage route visiting 33 sacred sites dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion.
Located beside Kumano Nachi Taisha, the temple represents the long history of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism in Japan, when the two religious traditions were closely intertwined.
The view of Nachi Falls and the temple’s three-story pagoda is one of the most iconic landscapes in the region and has become a favorite scene for photographers and visitors from around the world.
Nachi Falls
Nachi Falls has a drop of approximately 133 meters and is considered one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls.
The waterfall is revered as the sacred body of Hiro Shrine, part of the Kumano Nachi Taisha complex. Rather than simply being a scenic attraction, the falls have been regarded as sacred since ancient times, symbolizing the Kumano tradition of venerating nature itself.
Visitors who approach the area near the base of the waterfall can experience the powerful sound and spray of the falling water. The immense force of the falls creates a memorable encounter with the natural spirituality that has defined Kumano for centuries.
A Peaceful Park Where Nature and Faith Meet
Nachi Kogen Park is much more than an ordinary forest park. Its location connects it directly with the Kumano Kodo, the history of pilgrimage, and the spiritual traditions of the Kumano region.
Walking through the quiet forest, visitors can imagine the pilgrims who traveled these mountains long ago while appreciating the deep respect for nature that has shaped Kumano’s religious culture.
The distant view of Nachi Falls, towering cedar forests, fresh mountain air, and the quietness of the ancient pilgrimage trails all combine to create an atmosphere far removed from the noise of modern cities.
After visiting Kumano Nachi Taisha and Seiganto-ji Temple, consider taking some extra time to explore Nachi Kogen Park. Surrounded by the mountains of Nachi, you can enjoy a peaceful journey through one of Japan’s most fascinating landscapes, where nature, history, pilgrimage, and spirituality continue to exist side by side.