Shinto priests replaced a massive sacred rope above the 133-meter [1] Nachi Falls in Wakayama Prefecture on Thursday.
The ritual is a critical preparation for the Nachi no Ogi festival, which takes place on July 14 [5]. Because the falls serve as the deity of the Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine, the maintenance of the shimenawa rope marks a spiritual transition, and ensures the site is ready for the annual grand festival.
Priests from the Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine performed the task on July 9 [3]. Dressed in traditional white robes and eboshi hats, the men worked at the top of the waterfall to install a new rope measuring approximately 26 meters [2]. The process is considered a high-risk operation due to the extreme height of the falls and the precarious nature of the terrain.
The replacement of the shimenawa is a recurring tradition that carries ritualistic significance for the new year, and the community. While some reports have cited different dates for similar ceremonies in previous years [4], the current replacement was completed just days before the festival's start.
Nachi Falls is a recognized World Heritage site and one of the most significant natural landmarks in Japan. The rope serves as a boundary between the sacred space of the waterfall and the profane world, signaling the purity of the area to visitors and worshippers alike.
“The process is considered a high-risk operation due to the extreme height of the falls.”
This ritual underscores the intersection of nature worship and physical endurance in Shinto tradition. By performing a dangerous task at a World Heritage site, the priests maintain a tangible link to ancient practices that prioritize spiritual purity and the honoring of natural deities over modern safety convenience.
