Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Travel, Cooking, Japanese, Asia, General, Japan, Regional & Ethnic, History, Travel.Travel Guides
ISBN: 9781740591621
Google: 3fqYGB4mxLgC
Amazon: 1740591623
Barnesnoble: 1740591623
Publisher: Lonely Planet
Published: 2003-10-18T10:00:00+00:00

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NACHI & KII-KATSUURA

The Nachi and Kii-Katsuura area has several sights grouped around the sacred Nachi-no-taki (), Japan’s highest waterfall (133m). Nachi Taisha (), near the waterfall, was built in homage to the waterfall’s kami (Shintō spirit god). It is one of the three great shrines of Kii-hantō, and it’s worth the climb up the steep steps to get there. Next to the shrine, Sanseiganto-ji () is a fine old temple that is well worth a look.

The most atmospheric approach to the falls and the shrine is the fantastic tree-lined arcade of Daimon-zaka. To get to Daimon-zaka, take a bus from Nachi or Kii-Katsuura Station, and get off at the Daimon-zaka stop (ask the bus driver to drop you at Daimon-zaka and he’ll point you in the right direction from the stop). The way isn’t marked in English, but it’s roughly straight uphill just in from the road. From the bus stop to the shrine is roughly 800m, most of it uphill. It’s fine in winter, but in summer you’ll get soaked, so consider doing it in reverse (check bus schedules carefully before setting out).

Daimon-zaka takes you up to the steps at the base of the shrine. After visiting the shrine, walk down to the falls. At the base of the falls you will find Nachiyama-oku-no-in (), where you can pay ¥200 to hike up to a lookout that affords a better view of the falls.

The Nachi-no-Hi Matsuri (Fire Festival) takes place at the falls on 14 July. During this lively event mikoshi are brought down from the mountain and met by groups bearing flaming torches.

Buses to the waterfall and shrine leave from Nachi Station (¥470, 25 minutes) and from Kii-Katsuura Station (¥600, 30 minutes). Buses to the Daimon-zaka stop leave from Nachi Station (¥330, 15 minutes) and from Kii-Katsuura Station (¥410, 20 minutes).

Sleeping

There are a few places to stay near Nachi Station and Kii-Katsuura Station.

Hotel Ura-Shima (; 0735-52-1011; www.hotelurashima.co.jp, in Japanese; r per person with 2 meals from ¥10,650; ) Laying claim to an entire peninsula in Katsuura-wan, this vast hotel-onsen complex is either a lot of fun or an overpriced tourist trap, depending upon your mood. It’s got two fantastic baths built into caves looking out over the Pacific, and two others located high atop the peninsula, reached by the longest escalator we’ve ever seen. The fun of the baths is offset by uninspiring food, ageing rooms, and the noisy announcements in the hallways.

Getting There & Away

Nachi and Kii-Katsuura (the stations are only two stops apart) can be reached by JR Kii main-line trains from Shin-Osaka Station (tokkyū, ¥6700, 216 minutes; futsū, ¥4310, 332 minutes) and from Nagoya Station (tokkyū, ¥7510, 213 minutes; futsū, ¥3920, 327 minutes). Futsū are significantly cheaper but take almost twice as long.

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