WATERFALL

Some 2,500 waterfalls are said to exist in Japan, a country that receives a lot of rainfall over a mostly mountainous land. These waterfalls vary greatly in size and strength – some are quite intense while some others are very gentle and flow down in white streams that resemble hanging threads of silk. Quite a few “waterfall freaks” travel all over Japan to bask in as many waterfalls as possible. At some waterfalls you can experience takigyo (waterfall meditation) which has been practiced by Buddhist monks since ancient times to cleanse the mind, body, and soul under the rough waters. Asceticism, however, is not essential. Without going in the water, you will certainly feel refreshed and invigorated by the soothing sound of cascading water, cooling water mist, and pure air created by waterfalls.