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We track down the stunning Ghibli-like waterfall made famous online — just outside Tokyo!【Pics】

Oona McGee Nov 5, 2015
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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.

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A post shared by YUZO (@yuzooooo)

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