YONAKO DAIBAKUHU
The Yonako Daibakufu (Twin Dragons of an Eternal Sacred
Land),On the border of Nagano and Gunma rises Mount Azumaya.
From the sheer cliffs of its ancient caldera
plunge the two great waterfalls of Yonako—Fudōtaki and Gongentaki—long revered as sacred sites of mountain
worship.
The graceful, pale cascade of Fudōtaki is known as the White Dragon, while the powerful, thundering
fall of Gongentaki is called the Black Dragon.
Side by side, the twin torrents descend like a pair of
celestial dragons returning to the earth.
In 2016, this mystical landscape, including the surrounding
waterfalls, was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty as the “Yonako Waterfall Group,” and is also
celebrated among Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.
With each season, the falls transform—the breath of spring, the
surge of summer, the colors of autumn, the icy veil of winter.
Their timeless roar and rising mist invite all
who visit to feel the quiet prayers of centuries past and the living power of nature.
The 2nd Yamanokuni Visual Award,
Winner of the
general section excellence award
Climbing up the winding mountain path along the beautiful valley in
the
sunlight,
you will hear the sound of a waterfall like a rumbling of the earth coming from the
silence.
As you venture deeper into the forest, the roar of water swells—and suddenly, through the gaps in
the trees, two great waterfalls reveal themselves.
The delicate, silken thread of Fudōtaki and the
powerful, resolute plunge of Gogentaki.
Before you spreads a majestic landscape shaped by the hand of
nature itself.
Around the falls, remnants of a bygone mining village and the quiet presence of the sacred
Yonako Fudōson Inner Sanctuary still breathe with the passage of time, whispering stories of the people and
faith that once flourished here.
It is a place of purification ceremony in the Mt. Azumaya worship, and the waterfall itself is also revered as
a
sacred object.
Fudo Fall is Fudo Myoo itself. Gongen Waterfall was once called "Senju Falls," and is said to embody the form
of
a deity providing salvation to people.
These two waterfalls, due to their appearance, are sometimes referred to as the "White Dragon Waterfall" for
Fudo Waterfall and the "Black Dragon Waterfall" for Gongen Waterfall, and together they are called as the
"Twin
Dragon Waterfall."
82m high
A waterfall that falls vigorously and linearly into the basin with a large amount of water, accompanied by a roaring sound.
89m high
A misty waterfall resembling layers of dropped silk fabric,
known as a place of
purification ceremony for ascetics since ancient times.
A town of 1,500 people once existed on this plateau where a sulfur mine once stood. Now it is a lush green prairie with a sense of freedom. From here, you can overlook Fudo Fall and Gongen Fall, and behind the precipitous cliffs, you can catch sight of Mt. Nekodake and Mt. Azumaya, which were objects of worship.
Yonako Fudoson Okunoin main hall, built between waterfalls, is one of the three major Fudoson in Japan. The temple was founded by Kiyosada, the first disciple of Taicho Daishi of the Hakusan worship. Over time, the temple flourished as a sacred place for mountain asceticism, influenced by Kumano and other beliefs, due to its proximity to the waterfalls and the surrounding area. During the warring states period, the temple enshrined the Fudo Myoo deity, the guardian of Uesugi Kenshin, and currently, the Honbo Yonako Takizan Fudo Temple is located 12 kilometers away from the waterfall. It conducts all the ceremonies and events related to the Yonako Fudoson and draws numerous visitors of pious people from across the country.
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Nekodake Sansou is located in front of Fudō Falls and Gongen Falls at the Yonako Great Falls.
Though small, it is a cozy and comfortable mountain hut. Its location offers a perfect opportunity to
enjoy the unique beauty of Yonako Great Falls throughout the four seasons.
In spring, the area is filled with fresh greenery and swifts soaring through the blue skies.
In summer, visitors can experience the refreshing spray of the waterfalls and cool mountain air.
Autumn brings breathtakingly colorful foliage that paints the surrounding mountains.
And in winter, one can witness the majestic sight of the waterfalls frozen into massive ice
cascades.
At Nekodake Sansou, we offer seasonal activities, mindfulness experiences, luxurious coffee time, and
stays that allow you to feel the flow of eternal time.
ROUTE MAP
＊During the winter season, access is available only by snowcat. If you wish to visit in winter, please apply for the Yonako Fudōtaki Snowshoe Hiking Tour.
ACCESS
