Priests Replace Giant Rope at Nachi Falls

Jul 10, 2025 | News On Japan

Wakayama, Jul 10, 2025 (News On Japan) - At Kumano Nachi Taisha in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, priests conducted the seasonal replacement of the sacred rope (shimenawa) that hangs across Nachi Falls.

Nachi Falls, regarded as the sacred object of worship at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kumano Nachi Taisha, is adorned with a shimenawa, which is renewed twice a year in summer and winter.

On the morning of July 9th, five priests dressed in white ceremonial robes and wearing traditional eboshi headgear carried a 26-meter-long rope made of woven bleached cotton to the top of the waterfall. Secured with safety lines, they carefully replaced the rope while paying close attention to their footing on the steep terrain.

With the new shimenawa in place, it is said that full summer has officially arrived in the Nanki region.

Source: YOMIURI

The Danger of Hail Falling at 100 km/h

Large hailstones falling at speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour highlighted the dangers of severe weather after unstable conditions brought heavy rain and hail to parts of eastern and northern Japan on June 12th, with experts warning that hailstorms can now occur at any time of year and are becoming increasingly difficult to predict.

Japan Arrives In Dallas Ahead Of World Cup Opener Against Netherlands

Japan's national soccer team arrived in Dallas, Texas, on June 12th after completing final preparations near Nashville, Tennessee, ahead of its opening Group F match against the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup in North America.

Japan Moves To Tackle Potty Parity

The Japanese government on June 12th released new guidelines calling for women’s toilets to have at least as many fixtures as men’s toilets in public facilities, seeking to address the persistent problem of long queues at women’s restrooms in places such as train stations and event venues.

Captain Endo Withdraws From Japan Squad

Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the national team's World Cup squad due to injury and announced his retirement from international soccer, dealing a major blow ahead of Japan's Group F opener against the Netherlands on June 14th (June 15th Japan time), as the team continued preparations near Nashville, Tennessee, on June 11th.

Veteran Photographer Documents Changing Bear Behavior

As bear sightings continue at an unusually high pace across Akita Prefecture, a veteran wildlife photographer who has spent nearly 30 years observing and photographing Asian black bears says the animals are appearing more frequently, moving closer to human settlements, and increasingly adapting their behavior to survive.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Kyoto Tourist Numbers Hit Record High as Foreign Visitors Stay Longer

Kyoto welcomed a record 62.79 million visitors last year, an increase of more than 6.7 million from the previous year, according to the Kyoto city government, highlighting the continued recovery and expansion of the city's tourism industry.

Bear Sighting Triggers Road Closure at Kyoto's Amanohashidate

Authorities in Kyoto Prefecture received another report of a bear sighting at the famous Amanohashidate sandbar on June 12th, just two days after a bear was captured in the area, prompting temporary road closures and heightened precautions for local residents and visitors.

ANA And JAL Raise Fuel Surcharges to Record High for Summer Travel

Air travelers departing Japan for overseas destinations this summer will face record-high fuel surcharges after All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) announced significant increases for international tickets purchased in July and August, driven by soaring fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Rare White Orca Spotted Off Hokkaido

A rare white orca has been filmed off the coast of Rausu in Hokkaido's Shiretoko region, marking its first reported sighting in about two years.

New Company Established to Take Over North Safari Zoo

A Tokyo-based company planning to open a new zoo using animals from North Safari Sapporo, which closed in 2025, has established a new company to take over the facility's animals and employees.

Bear Swims Ashore and Roams Popular Kyoto Prefecture Tourist Area

A male Asiatic black bear that appeared at Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, in Kyoto Prefecture was captured after prompting the temporary closure of the popular tourist destination and surrounding area, authorities said.

Junglia Okinawa Gives Okinawa's Economy Huge Boost

The economic impact generated by Junglia Okinawa during its first six months of operation reached 32.2 billion yen, according to a report released by Ryugin Research Institute.

Is Rainy Season a Good Time to Travel in Japan?

As Japan enters the rainy season, a period traditionally considered a slow time for tourism, travelers are finding new opportunities to enjoy discounted trips, with destinations such as Atami gaining popularity and local governments offering travel subsidies and weather-linked promotions.

< 2 3 4 5 >