Nunobiki Falls (Nunobiki-No-Taki)
Hyogo Prefecture · Japan
Nunobiki Falls is one of the most scenic and historically significant waterfalls in Japan, located just behind Shin-Kobe Station. Surrounded by steep forested hills, the falls consist of several cascades and have been admired for their beauty since ancient times. They are considered one of Japan’s “Three Greatest Divine Falls” and have been celebrated in traditional poetry and art for over a thousand years. In addition to their cultural value, Nunobiki Falls were once vital to Kobe’s role as a port city—their pure spring water, known as “Kobe water” or “Nunobiki water,” was taken aboard ships heading overseas. It was highly prized for staying fresh during long sea journeys, even across the equator. Today, visitors can reach the falls with a short hike from Shin-Kobe Station and enjoy the refreshing mist, the sound of flowing water, and a peaceful moment in nature just minutes from the city center.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation2:36
Welcome to Nunobiki Falls, one of Japan's most celebrated and historically significant waterfall systems. Located surprisingly close to the urban center of Kobe, these falls offer a profound escape into nature just minutes away…
Listen in the app2The Trailhead and Isago Bridge2:10
Our journey begins at the trailhead located just a few hundred meters behind Shin-Kobe Station. This entrance serves as a gateway between the high-speed modern world and the ancient, enduring landscape of the Rokko Mountains. …
Listen in the app3Mentaki: The Graceful Female Fall2:09
We arrive at Mentaki, the 'Female Fall,' the first of the four major cascades. Standing approximately nineteen meters high, Mentaki is known for its elegant and somewhat gentler flow compared to its 'male' counterpart higher up. …
Listen in the app4Tsutsumigataki: The Hidden Resonance2:05
Continuing upward, we encounter Tsutsumigataki, the second of the Nunobiki cascades. While smaller in vertical drop than Ontaki or Mentaki, this waterfall is fascinating for its unique sound and form. …
Listen in the app5Ontaki: The Magnificent Male Fall2:15
We have reached the climax of the Nunobiki system: Ontaki, the 'Male Fall.' Standing at a majestic forty-three meters, this is the tallest and most powerful of the four waterfalls. The sight of the water plunging from such a…
Listen in the app6Miharashi Observatory: Kobe at Your Feet2:12
Just a short walk up from Ontaki, we arrive at the Miharashi Observatory. From this elevated platform, the relationship between the natural world and the urban landscape is revealed in startling clarity. …
Listen in the app7The Upper Path and Reservoir2:10
For those who venture just a bit further, the trail leads to the Nunobiki Reservoir and the historic Nunobiki Dam. Completed in 1900, this was Japan's first gravity concrete dam and is now designated as an Important Cultural…
Listen in the app8Closing1:57
As we descend back toward the city of Kobe, I hope you carry with you the roar of the falls and the profound sense of peace that this mountain sanctuary provides. We have traversed a landscape that is both a geological wonder and…
Listen in the app
What is Nunobiki Falls (Nunobiki-No-Taki)?
Nunobiki Falls (Nunobiki-No-Taki) is a place in Hyogo Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Hyogo Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 17 min 34 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.7094, 135.1936 |
| Last updated |
