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'll introduce the pronunciation and origin of Chihogataki Falls, as well as the icefall it displays in winter and the Chihogataki 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 depths of winter, the waterfall freezes over, creating a "icefall" that appears as a single, column-like structure

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

The correct pronunciation of Nyuhogataki is "niogataki".

There are several theories about the origin of its name, butit is believed to have been named because it freezes to a milky white color during the coldest months.

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 its appearance, it came to be called "Chichihogataki" (Milk Waterfall), andevery year on the third Sunday of February, the "Chichihogataki Ice Festival" is held, where the degree of ice formation on the waterfall is used to predict the abundance or scarcity of the year's crops.

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Behind the waterfall is Nyuhogataki Fudoson

The Chihogataki waterfall is about 33 meters high, butyou can actually walk up to near the top of the falls.

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!

While waterfalls are often associated with the refreshing feeling of summer, Chihogataki Falls is a waterfall that completely changes its image 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 you can see in the photo above,due to the extreme cold, the waterfall freezes into a single column, creating an icefall.

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, revealing a magnificent icefall, but the "Chichihogataki Ice Festival" was canceled due to the impact of the coronavirus.

In 2023, due to the mild winter, the icefall did not freeze completely, resulting in an incomplete icefall, but it still attracted many tourists from both within and outside the prefecture.

The "Chichihogataki Ice Festival" includes a Goma prayer ceremony where the smoke from burning piles of cedar leaves and the way bundles of rice burn are used to predict the harvest , as well as a fire-walking ritual . The general contents 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, coinciding with the "Chichihogataki Ice Festival," the icefall at Chichihogataki Falls is illuminated, transforming the falls into a fantastical space. Young people are flocking to the area, andan 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 still unavailable, I predict that the COVID-19 pandemic will subside and the Chihogataki 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 usually lit up around February each year, but the lighting period may change depending on how the waterfall freezes over, so please check the latest information on 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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