熊野古道 Kumano Kodō: Nachi Taisha Three-Storied Pagoda – Sanjūdō

Arriving at this iconic Three-storied Pagoda at Nachi Taisha Shinto Shrine is like stepping into a National Geographic Magazine only you’re in heaven when you do then realize your feet are planted right here on earth. Mayahana Buddhism in a nutshell maybe.

Chōzu-ya in front of the steps to the Pagoda.

View of the Nachi Waterfall from the Nachi Three-Storied Pagoda.

I’d seen in travel books photographs of this famous pagoda numerous times with its misty mountains rising in the background and the famous Nachi Waterfall inexorably flowing behind it. It’s stunning to think how many monks and pilgrims and emperors have also stood here and beheld the waterfall.

It’s quite a feeling to have arrived. Pinch me! The inner world produces some amazing outer world experiences. Inside the pagoda is exceptional as well as surprising. Wandering up its steps there are numerous statues of The Buddha.

Additionally there are quite some explicit murals on the wall of a sexual nature that I would guess are Tantric, as nature is about the birds and the bees, ya know. They seem to be restorations and look quite new. I’m saving those photos for the book! Or you will just have to go on pilgrimage yourself to see them!

Ceiling of the Nachi Taisha Three-Storied Pagoda.

The really shocking thing was that after all the hiking through the Kumano Kodo, you figured out you can simply take a bus or taxi to Nachi Taisha. Well, that’s too easy! The journey is the goal, after all. The purification process to abandon your self and merge with nature. Worth every ounce of effort!

taking the long route

is actually the shortest

to heaven

Sadly, modern world and trash seeped into the pilgrimage too.

Nachi Taisha map. A nice blog post here has some detailed info for a trip!

The Kumano Kodo journey.

Pilgrim Sydney is rooted in her Faith in Nature! The horrors of the world I can handle, as I don’t have to. I turn it over to Nature!

It turns out that this isn’t the very last stop on our pilgrimage! There is one final stop…. to get a close up of Nachi Waterfall from Hirou Shrine down below the mountain.

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