Nabekura Gorge is a remarkable rocky landscape on the slopes of Mount Kono, within Tsukigase Kono-yama Prefectural Natural Park in Yamazoe Village, Yamabe District, Nara Prefecture. Along a natural ravine, enormous, dark rocks made of hornblende andesite form a striking formation extending approximately 650 meters, with an average width of about 25 meters. The rugged rocks resemble a river of lava flowing down the mountainside, creating an unforgettable sight for visitors. This unusual landscape is considered valuable from both geomorphological and geological perspectives. Rocks of various sizes appear scattered irregularly, yet together they form a continuous, imposing formation. The result is a place where visitors can experience both the immense power and the mystery of nature.
Beneath the rocks of Nabekura Gorge, groundwater flows quietly out of sight. Although the water’s surface cannot be seen, visitors who listen closely near the rocks may hear the faint sound of running water. In the deep silence of the surrounding mountains, this subtle sound offers a rare opportunity to sense nature at work. The area’s clear groundwater has also been selected for the regional water-conservation initiative known as *Yamato no Mizu*, recognizing its high water quality.
For a limited period each year, generally from around August 1 to August 20, Nabekura Gorge is illuminated after dark. Lights reveal the rugged contours of the black rocks, transforming the gorge into a mysterious landscape that looks entirely different from its daytime appearance. Enjoying the illuminated rocks on a summer evening is a memorable way to experience the cooler mountain air. The event has become one of the seasonal highlights of Yamazoe Village.
The area around Mount Kono contains numerous large rocks that are thought to have been connected with ancient people’s beliefs and ritual practices. In recent years, theories have also linked the arrangement of these megaliths with the positions of stars and constellations in the night sky. Nabekura Gorge is sometimes interpreted as representing the Milky Way. Other notable rocks in the surrounding area bear names associated with celestial bodies, including Tengu Rock, linked to Altair in Aquila; Hachijo Rock, associated with Vega in Lyra; Otsuka, associated with Deneb in Cygnus; Hokuto Rock, linked to the North Star; and Ryuo Rock, associated with Antares. Walking among these enormous stones while imagining the stars above creates a fascinating connection between the landscape and the night sky. It also invites visitors to reflect on the beliefs and imagination of the people who once regarded this place as sacred.
A traditional folktale offers a mythical explanation for the strange rocky landscape. According to the story, a tengu—a supernatural being from Japanese folklore—living on Mount Kono once quarreled with another tengu who lived on Mount Aoba in Iga Province, in what is now Mie Prefecture. Angered by the dispute, the tengu of Mount Aoba began hurling trees, plants, and rocks toward Mount Kono. The rocks piled up one after another, eventually forming what is now known as Nabekura Gorge. Although this is a legend rather than a scientific explanation, it reflects how people in the past tried to make sense of the area’s extraordinary rock formations.
**Location:** Oshio, Yamazoe Village, Yamabe District, Nara Prefecture **Parking:** Available
From Kono-guchi Interchange on the Meihan National Highway, drive approximately 4.1 km toward Mount Kono.
Take a bus bound for the Yamazoe area from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu-Nara Station and get off at the Kitano bus stop operated by Nara Kotsu. From there, Nabekura Gorge is approximately 1.8 km away on foot.
Nabekura Gorge is one of Yamazoe Village’s most distinctive natural attractions, bringing together unusual geological formations, clear underground water, fascinating connections with the stars, and traditional folklore. A quiet walk through this remarkable landscape offers visitors a chance to step away from everyday routines and appreciate the beauty and mystery of the natural world.