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."
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.
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's Daimonzaka path.
Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Daimonzaka path.
Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine torii.
Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine Haiden.
Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine buildings.
Tree designated a kami at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.
Autumn foliage at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.
Misty falls at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.
Shrine maiden at Kumano-Nachi Taisha.
Kumano-Nachi Taisha's pond.
View of Seigantoji Temple from Kumano-Nachi Taisha.
Torii in front of the falls near Kumano-Nachi Taisha.
At the base of Nachi Falls.
Teahouse near the falls at Kumano-Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.
