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Momono-o Waterfall
13th century
Forever flowing in the mountains of Tenri.
East of Isonokami Jingu shrine, hidden in the mountains of Tenri City’s Takimoto Town is Momono-o Waterfall. Located in a quiet green forest, this waterfall is about 23 meters high and has been a sacred place for centuries.
On the left side of the waterfall are Buddhist carvings on a rock face that date back to the mid Kamakura period (1185-1333). In addition, this waterfall was once a training site for monks who lived at the nearby Ryufuku-ji temple, and some monks still train here, even today.
The natural beauty of Momono-o Waterfall continues to resonate with people today. Sunlight filtering through the forest often creates a rainbow near the waterfall. As days grow hotter in the summer, people come from near and far seeking relief in this cool forest.
On the third Sunday of every July, the Momono-o Waterfall Takibiraki ceremony is held. Priests from Isonokami Jingu shrine and local yamabushi (mountain ascetic hermits) perform a ceremony to pray for the safety of everyone who comes to visit the waterfall. That time of year, the forest is filled with the songs of cicadas, and is usually cooler than the city area. In performing prayers and rituals, the priests toss small, sacred pieces of white paper to purify the area. The ceremony is open to the public free of charge, and it is a fascinating experience! About 10 minutes from the city center by car, Momono-o Waterfall is a place to enjoy the overwhelming beauty of nature, as well as some local history and culture.
Access
By car: Momono-o Waterfall is about 5 km southeast of the Tenri Higashi IC on the Meihan Expressway. The path from the highway to the waterfall is very narrow, so please be careful.
By train: Momono-o Waterfall is about a 5 km walk east from both JR and Kintetsu Tenri Stations. After leaving the city center, it is mostly an uphill walk, so please wear shoes and clothing suitable for walking long distances.
Environment
Momono-o Waterfall is located in a cool, quiet forest in the mountains east of Isonokami Jingu shrine. Continuing up the highway, you will soon reach Tenri Dam, which is famous for its many cherry blossoms.
Just below the waterfall is a small shrine, called Isonokami Jinja shrine (different than Isonokami Jingu shrine). The narrow path that continues higher up the mountain from the waterfall is the trail for Mt. Okunimi. Along this trail is Daishin-ji temple, which was once Ryufuku-ji temple, and had monks who came to the waterfall to train.
Point
The Buddhist carvings on the rock face to the left of the waterfall are thought to go all the way back the 13th century. They remind us that people have preserved this beautiful, sacred place for centuries, and that it is our turn to take care of it for future generations.
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