Mitaru Gongen Waterfall: A star that twinkles emerald blue

If you’re a regular follower of our page, you might have thought this was Nikobuchi, a stunning plunge pool located upstream on the Niyodo River. However, this is actually Mitaru Gongen Waterfall, located among the mystical Kochi mountains in the town of Tosa

Below are some tidbits about this hidden gem

The shrine beside the basin is dedicated to a water god, which locals believe takes the form of a serpent. People have visited this sacred spot for many years to wish for rain during droughts as well as prosperity in business and at home

“Gongen” refers to a bodhisattva (a person on a path toward enlightenment) who appears as a god to save humanity

If you look at the water basin from the top, it's in fact star-shaped! We hope you can come visit and see it for yourself

Little over an hour from Kochi City by car, and a quick 10-minute walk through the lush green forest from the parking lot, Mitaru Gongen Waterfall is sure worth a visit

Nikobuchi is also only around 40 minutes from Mitaru Gongen Waterfall by car! If it's a beautiful day, why not visit both?

Learn more about Nikobuchi: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10016