Ananadan Sacred Water, a Famous Spring of the Valley in Kamiichi

Welling up in a valley of Kamiichi in Toyama Prefecture, the Ananadan sacred water is a pure spring chosen in 1985 among the 100 Famous Waters of Japan. Fondly called Ananadan by locals, it has long been said to cure many ills. On the valley slope stands a spiritual site dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, and descending the forest-wrapped path you reach the sacred water that wells quietly from between the rocks. Many people come from across the country to draw the water, and it is known as a place of prayer where faith and nature are bound together.

Highlights

• A pure spring of remarkable virtue, chosen in 1985 among the 100 Famous Waters of Japan
• The old tradition that the water cures many ills, and a white-snake legend
• A simple hall dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, standing as if watching over the sacred water
• The silence of deep forest spreading along the 108 stone steps down into the valley

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring fresh greenery colors the valley and the clear water feels all the more vivid. Summer brings cool relief from the chilled spring water and the shade of the forest, making it especially popular for drawing water in the heat. Autumn dyes the valley in colored leaves, and the pairing of foliage and spring is deeply pleasing. Winter closes the area with snow and the stone steps can freeze and turn dangerous, so always check road conditions before visiting.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Kamiichi, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture
• About 15 minutes by taxi from Kamiichi Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway main line
• Reachable by car from the Tateyama Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway
• Descend the 108 stone steps from the parking area to reach the sacred water
• Located along Toyama Prefectural Route 146

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Spring greenery through summer, and the autumn foliage, are most comfortable. Daylight hours are safest
• To avoid crowds: Water drawers gather on weekends, so a weekday morning is more relaxed
• Time needed: About 30 minutes to an hour for the round trip on the steps and drawing water
• Real nearby spots: The Kamiichi Kurokawa archaeological site cluster (a national historic site), and Oiwasan Nissekiji, an old temple known for its cliff-carved Fudo Myoo
• Budget feel: Receiving the water is by voluntary offering. Bringing a container such as a plastic tank is convenient

A Quick Tip

The 108 stone steps and slopes lead down to the water, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. When drawing the water, remember that it is a sacred spring carefully protected by the community, and take it quietly with good manners. During busy times, take turns with others and draw quickly with your own container.

📚 Sources

This article is based on guidance on the Ananadan sacred spring selected among Japan 100 Famous Waters, tourist information for Kamiichi Town, on-site information on the hall enshrining Yakushi Nyorai and the 108 stone steps, and information on the Toyama Chiho Railway. Winter brings snow and icy steps, and road conditions may change. Access and road conditions may change, so please confirm the latest details on the official sources before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: 30 minutes to an hour for the round trip down the 108 steps and drawing water.
• Best timing: Weekends draw crowds of water-drawers, so weekday mornings are relaxed; bright daytime is safest.
• What to bring: Wear comfortable shoes for the 108 steps and slope, and a container such as a jerrycan is handy.
• Manners: The spring is carefully protected by the community, so follow etiquette, take turns when busy, and draw quickly.
• Nearby spots: The Kamiichi Kurokawa ruins, a national historic site, and Oiwasan Nissekiji.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Location: Kurokawa, Kamiichi Town, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture
• Opening hours: 8:00 to 17:00. In winter (December 1 to February 28) 8:00 to 16:00
• Closed: Open all year round
• Fees: There is no charge for receiving the sacred water itself. The parking lot is paid
• Parking: A paid parking lot is available. It is managed by the Kurokawa Ananadan Management Association (Tel 076-473-0754). The sacred site itself is managed and operated by the Ananotani Koshinkai (Tel 076-472-4711)
• Access (by car): About 7 km and 13 minutes from the Kamiichi Smart IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
• Access (by train): About 8 km and 14 minutes from Kamiichi Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway. Local bus services from the station are limited, so a taxi or rental car is the realistic option
• From the parking lot to the spring: About a 5-minute walk along a paved approach path. From there, the spring is at the bottom of the valley, down 108 stone steps
• Containers and carrying water: Plastic containers can be bought at the parking lot, and wheelbarrows are available for rent. Beside the stone steps there is a lift (for a fee) for carrying containers
• Estimated time needed: About 30 minutes to 1 hour for the round trip on the steps and drawing water
• To avoid the crowds: Weekends see a concentration of people coming to draw water. Weekday mornings are the most relaxed
• In rainy weather: The spring at the bottom of the valley is outdoors. You can still draw water in the rain, but the stone steps become wet and slippery. In winter there is snow and ice, so check road conditions in advance
• Footwear and clothing: After the paved approach there are 108 steps to descend. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The bottom of the valley stays chilly even in summer, so an extra layer makes the visit more comfortable
• Strollers and wheelchairs: The approach path is paved, but reaching the spring requires descending 108 stone steps, so it cannot be reached on wheels. The paid lift is for carrying water, not equipment for people to ride on
• Etiquette: This is a sacred site the local community has long protected. At busy times, take turns with others and bring your own container so you can draw water promptly
• Budget guide: The parking fee, plus the cost of a container and the lift if needed. The water itself is offered on a voluntary donation basis
• Combine your visit with: In the same town of Kamiichi is Oiwasan Nissekiji, an ancient temple known for its cliff-carved Buddha, an easy distance to combine by car

Information Sources

The opening hours (normally 8:00 to 17:00, and 8:00 to 16:00 in winter from December 1 to February 28), the fact that it is open all year round, the paid parking lot and the managing organizations (the Kurokawa Ananadan Management Association and the Ananotani Koshinkai), the access details of 7 km and 13 minutes from the Kamiichi Smart IC and 8 km and 14 minutes from Kamiichi Station, the 5-minute walk along the approach path from the parking lot to the sacred site, the sale of plastic containers and the rental of wheelbarrows, the lift for carrying containers (for a fee), the origin of the site as a place of ascetic training by the monk Hakushin of Mino Province in the Edo period, and the fact that the water springs from a cave behind the Yakushi Nyorai hall were all confirmed on the Ananotani sacred water page of the official website of Kamiichi Town, Toyama Prefecture.

The fact that the water springs from a cave of sandstone and slate, and that it is drawn by hand without machinery and treated and bottled in accordance with the Food Sanitation Act, is based on descriptions on the official website of the Ananotani Koshinkai (general incorporated association). Its selection among Japan's 100 Famous Waters, its location in Kurokawa, Kamiichi Town, and the fact that it is known locally as "Anantan" were checked against the official Toyama Prefecture page on the prefecture's famous waters. The figure of 108 stone steps down to the spring is a number given consistently in multiple pieces of local tourist information about the site.

Opening hours and road conditions are subject to change, so please check official information before you set out.