What is Nyuhogataki Falls? The winter frozen waterfall is lit up, making it an Instagrammable spot! [Aomori Prefecture]

Aomori Prefecture is a place where you can enjoy the scenery of every season

Among them, Nyuhogataki Falls in Nishimeya Village is a soothing spot where you can feel the fresh greenery and negative ions in the summer, and in the winter the waterfall freezes over, transforming it into a fantastical space where festivals and illuminations are held

This time, we will introduce how to read and the origin of Nyuhogataki Falls, the frozen waterfall that can be seen in winter, and the Nyuhogataki Ice Festival

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What is Nyuhogataki Falls?

Nyuhogataki Falls is a small, narrow waterfall located on the way from Hirosaki City to Nishimeya Village

The water volume is small, and it looks like a white thread as it pours down from a height of about 33 meters

In the middle of winter, the waterfall freezes over, forming a single pillar-like "frozen waterfall."

How do you read the name Nyuhogataki and what is its origin?

The reading of Nyuhogataki is "nogataki .

There are various theories about the origin of the name, but it is said to have been named after the milky white color that freezes over during the coldest periods of the year .

As you can see from the photo, the surface of Nyuhogataki Falls is beautiful and slender, like white silk. Due to the severe cold of Aomori, the surface of the waterfall freezes over, resembling piles of harvested rice ears

Because of this, it came to be called "Nyuhogataki" (Nyuho Falls), and every year on the third Sunday of February, the "Nyuhogataki Ice Festival" is held, where the state of freezing of the waterfall is used to predict the harvest of the year .

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Behind the waterfall is Nyuhogataki Fudoson

Nyuhogataki Falls is about 33 meters high, but you can actually walk up to the waterfall's mouth .

It's a strange feeling to climb up behind the waterfall, but the negative ions are plentiful and mystical. When you reach the top, there is a small shrine with Fudoson in the center, Inari and Yakushi on the left, and the dragon god and mountain god on the right, as well as Nyuhogataki Fudoson

The date of its construction is unknown, but it is a rare sight even in Japan, as you can see the back of the waterfall from the hall

The path to the summit is winding and slippery even in the snow-free season, so we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Also, in winter the road freezes over and becomes very slippery. Even Aomori residents who are confident on snowy roads can fall, so be sure to take proper precautions and climb carefully

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Not just for summer! In winter, Nyuhogataki Falls is an Instagrammable spot!

When you think of waterfalls, you may imagine a refreshing summer image, but is a waterfall whose image changes completely in winter

From here, we will introduce how to enjoy Nyuhogataki Falls in winter

A "frozen waterfall" where the waterfall freezes into a single pillar

As shown in the photo above, the severe cold causes the waterfall to freeze into a single pillar, creating a frozen waterfall.

The waterfall falling from above freezes, and the water that drips from the frozen waterfall freezes again, causing ice pillars to grow from above and below, gradually growing into larger ice pillars

The frozen waterfall of Nyuhogataki Falls, with a drop of 33 meters, is impressive, and the ice is so clear that it gives the illusion that time has stood still

Nyuhogataki Ice Festival

The Nyuhogataki Ice Festival is held every year on the third Sunday of February .

In 2022, the waterfall completely froze over for the first time in four years , creating a spectacular frozen waterfall, but the Nyuhogataki Ice Festival was canceled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, due to the warm winter, the waterfall did not freeze completely , resulting in an incomplete frozen waterfall, but it still attracted many tourists from inside and outside the prefecture.

The Nyuhogataki Ice a goma prayer , which involves fortune the smoke from stacked cedar leaves and the burning state of rice bundles a fire-walking ritual.The general contents of the festival are as follows:

• Fortune telling
  • The shape and thickness of the frozen waterfall predicts the harvest of that year. The last time it completely froze over was in 2022
• Fireworks
  • The fluctuation and size of the smoke produced by burning rice straw is used to pray for good harvests in the Tsugaru region
• Fire-walking ascetic practice
  • People walk on burning rice straw and pray for the health and safety of the Tsugaru region. Anyone can participate

Illumination of the frozen waterfall

At night, the frozen waterfall of Nyuhogataki is lit up at the same time as the Nyuhogataki Ice Festival, transforming the waterfall into a fantastical space. Young people flock to the area, and it quickly becomes an Instagrammable spot

The frozen waterfall lit up with colorful lights is overwhelmingly beautiful. Thanks to the lights, the frozen waterfall looks more three-dimensional than in the daytime, making it seem even more impressive

The nearby torii gate was also lit up in bright red, showing a completely different look from the daytime

When will the Nyuhogataki Ice Festival and illumination be held in 2024?

Since it had not completely frozen over by February 2023, hopes are high for 2024

Although detailed information is not yet available, we expect that the Nyuhogataki Ice Festival will be held in 2024

Even if the Nyuhogataki Ice Festival is canceled, the waterfall will still be lit up

The waterfall is lit up every year around February, but the illumination period changes depending on the degree of freezing, so please check the Nishimeya Village website

It's very cold there, so be sure to dress warmly when you go to see the light-up

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summary

This time we introduced Nyuhogataki Falls in Nishimeya Village

In the summer, the waterfalls show off their beauty like white silk, but in the coldest of winters, the surface of the falls freezes over and becomes a frozen waterfall. Why not experience the traditions of Nishimeya Village at the Nyuhogataki Ice Festival, and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and Instagram-worthy space at night when the falls are lit up?

Nyuhogataki Falls <Information>

• Name: Nyuhogataki Falls
• Address: 47-1 Natsubohira, Nishimeya Village, Nakatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, 036-1411
• Phone number: 0172-85-2800 (Nishimeya Village Office, Industry Division, Commerce and Tourism Section)
• URL: Nishimeya Village Homepage

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