Tashiro's Nanatsukama

Tashiro's Nanatsukama refers to seven waterfall basins scattered throughout the Kama River's stream, which flows from the Naeba mountain range. It's extremely rare to have seven waterfall basins gathered in one place, but even more so, the landscape of the right bank of the waterfall basin is a cross-section layer, and the left bank is a steep vertical layer, creating a unique landscape in Japan that cannot be found elsewhere. The powerful and beautiful rock faces and the sound of the water falling from the waterfall make you feel the grandeur of nature. Even just closing your eyes and listening to the sound of the waterfall can be healing.

At Nanatsugama Park, which has Nanatsugama Falls, there is a campsite with a kitchen. Instead of just seeing Nanatsugama Falls and leaving, you can enjoy nature all day by camping in the spacious park. At night, there is little light around, so if the weather is good, you can see a sky full of stars! It's recommended for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience nature with all five senses.

The season when the most people visit Tashiro's Nanatsukama is during the autumn leaves season. The best season for autumn leaves is from late October to early November. The gradient of the water flowing from the waterfall with a loud sound and the trees dyed in red and yellow, as well as the rough rock surface in the background, make you feel the powerful nature of autumn. As November approaches, Niigata Prefecture gets colder, so it is recommended to wear warm clothes such as a coat.

The deity of the waterfall, a giant snake that appears in the legend of the great serpent, is enshrined at the Benten-do Shrine near the waterfall as a deity of the same name. You can reach it by following the walking path from the parking lot. As you walk along the path, which is surrounded by trees and has poor visibility and footing, you'll feel like you're entering a different world from the one we normally inhabit. From the Benten-do Shrine, you can see the Nanatsugama Falls directly in front of you. It's quite impressive, so be sure to explore not only the observation deck, but also the walking path!

Every year in mid-July, the Nana-tsubo Matsuri (Seven Kettles Festival) is held in the Tashiro district of Nakasato, Joetsu City, at the entrance to the Nana-tsubo Valley. At this festival, you can see the Tashiro Kagura, a traditional performance that has been handed down in this region for about 300 years. It is performed by members of the Tashiro Kagura-za, who are dedicated to passing on the region's traditional performing arts to future generations. Local cuisine and sake are also sold at the festival, so if you want to learn more about the lifestyle of the Tashiro district, be sure to check it out!