YONAKO DAIBAKUHU
The Yonako Daibakufu (Fudo Waterfall and Gongen Waterfall), which cascade down the caldera cliffs of Mt. Azumaya, straddling the border between Nagano and Gunma Prefectures, have long been known as a sacred place for both Fudo and mountain worship. Currently, it is designated as a special area within a national park and one of the Japan's Top 100 waterfalls, and in 2016, the Yonako Waterfalls, including the surrounding waterfalls, were designated as a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty.
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.
If you keep going, through the gaps in the trees, you will see...
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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