Nunobiki Falls, Kobe

Waterfall Seasons - The Waterfall Guide

Actually a series of four waterfalls, the Nunobiki Falls waterfall cluster is right next to Shin-Kobe bullet train station, and can be combined with a cable car ride to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. Ontaki and Meotodaki Falls are the most spectacular and readily accessible of the four falls, with the other two largely obscured from view unless the river is high. Above: Ontaki Falls and pool at Nunobiki Falls in Kobe (Order this image)

If you are just coming to visit the falls, follow the overhead signs inside Shin-Kobe station to the exit for Nunobiki Falls. If you cannot see any when you first step off the train, follow the signs to the Herb Garden and Ropeway, and the exit to Nunobiki Falls is along the way. From the exit, follow the paved path up the mountain, crossing the river over a bridge, following any signs along the way. There is an unmarked viewing platform for Mentaki Falls, which is more of a weir than a waterfall, and a second unmarked viewing platform for Tsuzumigataki Falls, which was however largely obscured by overhanging trees. The 15 minute walk through the forest to each of the falls is enchanting, with lush green surrounds, moss covered rocks, and the river gurgling away below. Above: Signposts from Shin-Kobe bullet train station to walk to Nunobiki Falls (Order this image)

The 43 metre high Ontaki Falls (above the main pool), and Meotadaki Falls (below the main pool), are the main attractions at Nunobiki Falls. After climbing up the steps of the last section of the walk, catch your breath on the benches placed in front of the pool. The horsetail-style Ontaki Falls fall gracefully down the rockface overhead, into the main mirror-like pool, which then spills into the shorter Meotadaki Falls that also has its own pool, albeit deeper, darker and more rectangular. The main pool is remarkably tranquil, almost perfectly round, and reportedly (as noted on the information boards on site) of divine significance to the locals. After being overwhelmed by crowds on the streets of most cities in Japan, the visit to Nunobiki Falls was like a mental health break, restoring my wellbeing with a renewed sense of calm. I was surprised to be able to find that inner peace so close to one of Japan's larger cities. Above: Meotadaki Falls at Nunobiki Falls in Kobe (Order this image)

I combined my visit with a gondola (cable-car) ride up to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens, which probably added to my sense of tranquility at the falls. The bottom station for the cable car is also right next to the Shin-Kobe bullet train station. The ride up provided a quick view of the falls as we drifted past overhead, with amazing views of the city of Kobe and the Kobe Harbour from the cable car windows. The views of the city continued at the top station and throughout the meandering walk that zig-zags back down the mountain, including from the public herbal foot bath at the back of the glasshouse and terrace (simply pay a very reasonable small fee for a self-service towel, but otherwise no charge), and from the hammocks on the grassy hill just above the mid station. From the mid-station, rather than catching the cable-car, walk around to the right of the station and continue down the hill. Above: The viewing platform and rest area in front of Ontaki Falls at Nunobiki Falls (Order this image)

When you reach the iron gate, turn left and follow the road for 700 metres until you reach the Miharashi Observation Platform, which has signs leading down to the waterfall. You can apparently also turn right when exiting the Herb Garden gate and also take in Gohonmastu Waterfall and Nunobiki Dam on the slightly longer way to Nunobiki Falls, but I cannot confirm the suitability of this route first hand. Lastly there is also a hiking track that runs down the mountain from the top station, but from what I saw at both the start and finish of this walk, it was very steep and narrow.

Best Time of Year to Visit:	Best Time of Day to Visit:
Streamflow data was not available to me for this river, but based on available rainfall information, there is likely to be reliable flow over the falls all year round, with flows highest from March through to October.	Visit from morning to just after midday to see the pool and falls in full sun.

Before you head out, make sure you read the waterfall safety information and check with the managing authority (if known) for any current change of conditions. The marker indicates the approximate location of the viewing area in front of Ontaki Falls at Nunobiki Falls. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply refresh this web page.
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