After a never ending rain on Saturday we were itching to take advantage of the sunshine. Abe (as he is fondly called by the locals, much like our beloved Barack) declared all of Japan to be in a State of Emergency late last week. While the details of what that actually means for our daily lives is a bit unclear, we decided to stick close to town and see how this plays out.
Cue a quick googling of what to do in our prefecture and our waterfall hunt was born! We headed North (and away from the germiest cities south of us) winding along mountain roads, through patches of leaves and gravel that had been washed off the mountainside from all the rain the day before. Slowly creeping past a bulldozer that was working to move the larger chunks of debris off the road. We can see the beginning of the cascading water, but soon realized the trail was closed. Or at least that's what we assumed after google translating some signs and the implication of the caution tape barricades across the trailhead.
Cue a quick googling of what to do in our prefecture and our waterfall hunt was born! We headed North (and away from the germiest cities south of us) winding along mountain roads, through patches of leaves and gravel that had been washed off the mountainside from all the rain the day before. Slowly creeping past a bulldozer that was working to move the larger chunks of debris off the road. We can see the beginning of the cascading water, but soon realized the trail was closed. Or at least that's what we assumed after google translating some signs and the implication of the caution tape barricades across the trailhead.
Only slightly bummed we headed back down the mountain to the next waterfall on our list! And wow!
It continues to amaze me how crystal clear the water is in these mountain fed streams. A few pictures then a quick "climb" back up to the parking lot. Technically I'm not sure it even qualifies as a hike, less than a 1/4 mile but it felt like it was straight up hill. My lungs did not appreciate this and I begin wondering about our dreams of climbing Fuji San and her 1400 M of elevation change.
Quick stumble down the google rabbit hole to figure out the elevation of the hike from the 5th station to the peak of Mt Fuji...1400ish M. Hmmm that doesn't sound too bad...converting it to feet: 4593! Holy heck! But we hiked the Grand Canyon (and wow was that intense) more googling...the Bright Angel Trail is 4460. And we 'trained' for that. Hiking lots and lots over the 2 weeks leading up to the big hike. We really need to get started on training for this one.
Quick stumble down the google rabbit hole to figure out the elevation of the hike from the 5th station to the peak of Mt Fuji...1400ish M. Hmmm that doesn't sound too bad...converting it to feet: 4593! Holy heck! But we hiked the Grand Canyon (and wow was that intense) more googling...the Bright Angel Trail is 4460. And we 'trained' for that. Hiking lots and lots over the 2 weeks leading up to the big hike. We really need to get started on training for this one.
Not quite ready to head home, we quickly google what is there to do in Yaita...another waterfall! This was is a bit more off the beaten path. We follow google maps and turn left at the fork. Down a tiny but paved road. We stop to translate the sign: a Forest Road. But it's paved. We've definitely taken rental cars down worse roads: looking at you New Zealand off roading.
Dropping down to low gear we creep down the mountain. More tiny rocks and brush strewn across the roads. A tiny stream that our car crossed magnificently (really it was more of a water in the gutter situation than an actual stream) and we get to the end of the road. Hopeful that the other cars parked at the end mean this waterfall is worth stopping for.
We're alongside a bubbling creak and can hear the water crashing up ahead. Walking past the road barricade and following our ears. Admiring a tiny shrine and it's own personal waterfall. Through the trees we can see water as it tumbles down the cliff and we notice a red jacket. There's someone down there! Paying closer attention to the side of the road as we walk back towards the crashing sounds and we see the gap!
Dropping down to low gear we creep down the mountain. More tiny rocks and brush strewn across the roads. A tiny stream that our car crossed magnificently (really it was more of a water in the gutter situation than an actual stream) and we get to the end of the road. Hopeful that the other cars parked at the end mean this waterfall is worth stopping for.
We're alongside a bubbling creak and can hear the water crashing up ahead. Walking past the road barricade and following our ears. Admiring a tiny shrine and it's own personal waterfall. Through the trees we can see water as it tumbles down the cliff and we notice a red jacket. There's someone down there! Paying closer attention to the side of the road as we walk back towards the crashing sounds and we see the gap!
Picking our way down the edge of the mountain, over rocks and roots and the occasional actual step until we get to the base of this beauty!
A couple older folks had made their way down as well, carrying much more serious camera equipment than our cell phones. We watch as they use a towel to wipe down the rocks so the water glistens even more in their pictures (and they make fun of millennials for the way they carefully craft photos.
We climb over and around various rocks looking for more amazing views of this waterfall! One of us, slightly more adventurous in his 'bouldering'
We climb over and around various rocks looking for more amazing views of this waterfall! One of us, slightly more adventurous in his 'bouldering'
A great way to spend a few hours in the sunshine!!! Love finding these hidden treasures so close to our town!
Corona Update: The government has declared a State of Emergency for all of Japan with the goal to reduce social contact by 70-80%. But working from home is a very foreign concept to many companies here. Jesse is mostly working from home, going into the office once a week. But many folks aren't that fortunate and still must head into the office daily for their work. So if one still has to go into work, how will it be possible to reduce social contacts?
We wear masks when we leave the house, definitely not wanting to be the foreigners spreading germs! We're heard reports of 'tourists' refusing to wear masks and the frustration of shop owners at these disrespectful folks- definitely don't want to be them! Eating at home and trying to figure out how to order takeout in a foreign language. Golden Week is coming up at the beginning of May and the week long holiday that comes with it! Our original plans of roadtripping through Australia were cancelled long ago, now wondering what we will do with our extra time in this beautiful land.
We wear masks when we leave the house, definitely not wanting to be the foreigners spreading germs! We're heard reports of 'tourists' refusing to wear masks and the frustration of shop owners at these disrespectful folks- definitely don't want to be them! Eating at home and trying to figure out how to order takeout in a foreign language. Golden Week is coming up at the beginning of May and the week long holiday that comes with it! Our original plans of roadtripping through Australia were cancelled long ago, now wondering what we will do with our extra time in this beautiful land.