Difference between revisions of "Forty-Eight Waterfalls of Akame"

Revision as of 13:40, 4 November 2010

The Forty-Eight Waterfalls of Akame (赤目四十八滝 Akame Shijūhachi Taki), often transcribed as the Akame 48 Waterfalls, is a hiking trail in Nabari near the border between Mie and Nara Prefectures. The hike follows a waterfall-laden trail up a mountain providing for some spectacular scenery.

It is particularly nice (and popular) in the fall when the leaves change colors, typically in mid-November.

Name

The phrase "shijūhachi taki" (四十八滝) is a set phrase used to mean "many waterfalls in a small area" -- it does not mean literally 48 waterfalls.

This name is not found only in Akame; there are actually a number of parks throughout Japan that use shijūhachi taki as a suffix in their name. Like Akame, they are mountain areas where hikers can take in waterfall after waterfall.

It is said that "48" was chosen to represent "many" because at the time the hiragana syllabary consisted of 48 symbols (though it now consists of only 46).

Facilities

The hiking path follows a river up into a mountain, and while climbing the mountain there are a series of waterfalls that can be seen up close. In certain parts there are stairs and platforms carved into the hillside to make ascending easier -- keep in mind that these stairs are metal and can be icy and very slippery if you choose to go in winter.

Waterfalls

There are not actually 48 waterfalls. There are actually only about 25 on the main path, and there are five in particularly that are prominently featured as being the most impressive of them all:

• Fudō Falls (不動滝)
• Senju Falls (千手滝)
• Nunobiki Falls (布曳滝)
• Ninai Falls (荷担滝)
• Biwa Falls (琵琶滝)

Salamander Hall

Right at the entrance to the hiking path, before the first waterfall, is a small museum/zoo featuring only salamanders, including the giant Japanese salamander which can be found in the river the Akame hiking path follows.

Prices

• Entry fee: ¥300

Map

• Google map

Directions

By train

First, make your way to Akameguchi (赤目口) Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line. It is one local stop west of Nabari Station, and is the last station in Mie before entering Nara Prefecture.

Once at the station, you will need to take a bus to the entrance of the hiking trail. Look for the bus bound for Akemetaki (赤目滝). This bus generally only runs once an hour so it may be wise to pick a train in advance that matches up well with the bus schedule

By car

The best way to access the Akame Falls is via Rt 165, the main road that runs between Nabari and Sakurai in Nara.

If heading west (towards Nara), a few minutes after you pass through Nabari you'll come to an intersection with Rt. 543 -- turn left here. This road will take you all the way to the path entry area, it is about a 6km drive. The turn may come up on you quickly, so after passing out of the Nabari city center, keep your eyes peeled for signs to the falls (all in Japanese).