Shosenkyo Photo Essay

Friday, November 3rd was a national holiday here in Japan. To celebrate a day off from school, Matt and I decided to drive up to Shosenkyo Park (which is north of Kofu). There is a lovely walk in the gorge that leads to a beautiful waterfall, and with autumn being so extended this year, we thought a nice nature walk would be the perfect way to spend a Friday off from school. Here is our Shosenkyo walk, brought to you in via photo-essay.

Arriving at the Shosenkyo parking area around 2pm on Friday afternoon, Matt and I decided to get a bite to eat at a soba shop. However, we didn't really know how to read the menu and ended up ordering two huge meals. We not only got soba (which was delicious) but also a bowl of rice, lots of different veggies, and, yes, a fish--head, tail, skin and all! Needless to say, I did my best to dig some of the meat out of the fish, but once I saw that the organs were still inside, I decided that I had had enough. Soon we were on our way, on the paved path up the gorge to the waterfall.

We began our leisurely ascent as the sun was starting to fall from the sky. The path lay above a rushing stream dotted with gigantic boulders and lined by lush green, yellow and red-leaved trees. The sun was still warm and it felt good to be outside, inhaling the semi-sweet fall air--the kind of air that smells of decaying leaves and clean water. I asked Matt to pose for a picture and while the scenery isn't as magnificent here as in other spots along our walk, I think his smile captures our mood throughout the afternoon.

The boulders in the stream almost had an alien-looking quality to them. They were so smooth and so uniquely shaped that it was hard to imagine they had fallen off the mountains so many years ago!










The colors and scenery kept getting more and more beautiful as we ascended the gorge. We stopped frequently, snapping shots of each other or of the beautiful smattering of fall colors along the path and intermixed with the dark green of fir trees. I think that, in about a week, the path up to the waterfall will be overwhelmed with a dazzling autumn palette of colors.













Around every corner and over every little hill, brilliant red leaves popped out of the surrounding green landscape like crimson flames.

Horse carts crossed out path frequently, carrying weary (or lazy) passengers back down to the main parking area. We came across three or four of these gentle giants on our way to the waterfall. I had to resist the urge to give each horse a small little pat--they were so sweet looking. This driver, though, looked as though he were possibly a little drunk. We had a good laugh about this after Matt took this picture and then continued our trek.

By 3pm, we were both growing tired and the sun was starting to disappear behind the tall ridges of the surrounding hills and mountains. However, the impending dusk did not thwart our plans of making it up to the famed waterfall, and as we got closer to our destination, the landscape slowly became rockier. This giant precipice loomed over us, casting its dark shadow over the paved walkway. But the smoothness of the rock-face baffled me and, again, I felt as though I had entered an alien world. The enormity and foreignness of these rocks is hardly done justice by any photo (though I think this ones rather successfully achieves the real effect).

























Nearing the falls, we passed through rock archways, marveled at the clearness of the stream, ducked under rock overhangs, and took time to enjoy the beauty of the gorge. Our trip had been completely worth it, thus far, and as we turned the corner, we were about the reap the fruits of our hour's labor: the waterfall.

Tucked between two rocky edges, the streaming waterfall--sparkling white--caused the crowds of people on the path to stare with awe and wonder. Cameras were flashing pictures of both young and old couples, and the word "kirei" (pretty) sounded among the rows of people walking by. Leaning over the railing, staring at this natural thing of beauty, Matt and I felt very satisfied with our decision to explore the gorge above the sometimes ugly city of Kofu and to discover the secret beauty of Yamanashi-ken.













We climbed the stone stairs leading to the top of the waterfall, where a cute little touristy village lay in hiding. Four sweet Japanese girls took our picture in front of this beautiful fall tree, and after eating some soft cream and poking in and out of the little trinket shops, we descended the stairs and returned to our waterfall-view. After failing to find a Japanese person would could take a descent picture of the two of us in front of the falls, I decided to get a picture of just Matt and the falls, and I think it turned out quite well. We were both very happy to be out and exploring nature and I hope that our Shosenkyo day trip will be a happy memory for years to come!