There are many well-known areas of beauty all around Japan, but sometimes you stumble upon something off the beaten path that simply takes your breath away.
That’s what happened to one person in Japan, who came across a waterfall in a tunnel of sunlight, filled with the same muted hues as a scene from a fantastical animated movie. Upon sharing the atmospheric photograph above on Instagram it received thousands of likes, with people all over the country eager to learn where the secret waterfall was hidden.
It might look like something from the foggy mists of a far-flung island many miles from Tokyo, but the beautiful scene is actually located just a short one-hour drive from the bustling metropolis. We decided to make our way there, and we’ve marked out the route so you can visit it too!
The beautiful picture was taken at Kimitsu City in Chiba Prefecture. Known as Nomizo Waterfall, the clear-running stream travels below a craggy arch and over moss-covered rocks, creating a cool watering hole for locals to swim in during the summer months. The tunnel of light is created at certain times of the day, depending on the season, making for a spectacular sight.
As Tokyo’s neighbour to the east, Chiba is easily accessible by train. However, to get to the waterfall, it’s best to travel by car or to rent one once you’re in the prefecture.
As you get closer to the location, you’ll come across an old karaoke ‘house’ by the side of the road…
Continue along the way for another 15 minutes and you’ll arrive at the car park for the Shimizu Keiryu Hiroba (Clear Mountain Stream Plaza).
▼ Watch out for the golden turtle at the front of the car park.
▼ The signboard at the entrance will show you the exact location of the waterfall along the walking route.
▼ The Bell of Good Fortune is one of the interesting sights on the path.
After a short, three-minute walk from the car park, you’ll come to the nature-filled space that surrounds Nomizo Waterfall.
Though we arrived at a less atmospheric moment in the middle of the day, the area was still worthy of a write-up in a guidebook. The waterfall appeared to be flowing out from a rocky, arched window that looked like the portal to an unexplored area. It was almost as if we could enter the world of Spirited Away just by crossing through the tunnel!
The sound of flowing water combined with the stillness around us simply added to the atmosphere in a way that can’t be captured on film.
▼ Surely Totoro must be hiding somewhere in amongst all this dense greenery.
The area will look even more amazing in mid-November when the leaves are due to change colour, surrounding the waterfall in a beautiful display of red and orange. During summer, fireflies dance above the water.
We couldn’t believe nobody else was here and we had the whole place to ourselves! If you want to experience the magic of nature just like a character in a Studio Ghibli film, this is definitely one of the most beautiful places ever to visit!
Spot information:
Nomizo no Taki (濃溝の滝)
Chiba Prefecture, Kimitsu City, Sasa 1954-17
千葉県君津市笹1954-17
Images: © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Spirited Away train station and submerged tracks attract Ghibli fans around Japan
Japanese hand-dug tunnels on a bamboo forest trail are like a quest in a video game
An unexpectedly creepy path takes us to Utopia in east Japan【Photos】
We visit one of Japan’s stunning secret destinations: the “Road to Laputa” in Kumamoto
Totoro discovered in Japanese forest【Photos】
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Studio Ghibli holiday wreath adds a touch of Kiki cuteness and good fortune to your home【Photos】
Japan’s favorite beer, Asahi Super Dry, to get new low-alcohol spinoff
Tokyo train stations giving out awesome giant Pokémon cards, but you’ll want to hurry
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Japanese high schools abolish old rules, provide freedom with underwear, hair and dating
Make Your Own Yoshinoya Beef Bowl at Home, Even Better Than the Original 【Recipe】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Character created by Hayao Miyazaki pops up on manhole covers in Ghibli Museum neighbourhood
Studio Ghibli meals from the world of Japanese anime look absolutely delicious in real-life【Pics】
Japan has a “Totoro Tree” that looks just like the Studio Ghibli anime star【Photos】
Breathtaking Japanese moss garden cafe is like a real-life setting for a Studio Ghibli anime film
The slogans for every Studio Ghibli movie, ranked by fans in Japan【Quiz】
Spring walking event provides guided tour around Totoro forest loved by Hayao Miyazaki
Half an hour outside downtown Tokyo, this park is an underrated gem for autumn colors【Photos】
Anime fans pick which Ghibli heroine they’d like to have as a girlfriend
Animal Crossing fan recreating all of Ghibli’s Spirited Away in New Horizons, and it’s incredible
Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum set to crack down on ticket scalping and resales with pre-entry ID checks
Producer clarifies Studio Ghibli’s future, mentions that Miyazaki “would like to make an anime”
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
The top five Ghibli sequels that Japanese moviegoers would like to see
This isn’t an anime cel – It’s the greatest 3-D CG model of a Studio Ghibli character ever made
Ghibli Museum opens online store!
Test your Ghibli knowledge: Can you identify the films by these minimalist fan-made posters?
Leave a Reply