Otonashi Waterfall
音無の滝
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The 'Soundless' Waterfall
Otonashi Waterfall is a scenic viewpoint in Ohara, Kyoto. 1 traveler-shot videos let you feel the atmosphere and catch the highlights before you go.
A short woodland walk above Raigo-in leads to the Otonashi Waterfall, a slender cascade in a mossy gorge. By legend, the monk Ryonin practised shomyo chant before the falls until his voice and the sound of the water blended so perfectly that the cascade seemed to fall in silence—hence its name, 'Otonashi,' the soundless falls. A cool, green refuge in summer and a frame of crimson in autumn, it is a fitting end to a walk through Ohara's valley of chant.
History & Culture
Where Chant Met Water
The falls are tied to the monk Ryonin of nearby Raigo-in, whose shomyo chant is said to have merged with the sound of the water until it fell 'soundlessly.'
A Walker's Reward
Today it is a peaceful goal for those who walk the woodland path beyond Ohara's temples.
Ohara, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
- Kyoto Bus #17 from Kyoto Stn to Ohara
- ~15 min on the mountain path from Raigo-in
Open at all times
Free
Hours and fees are a guide and may change — please check official information before your visit.
