Escape from your daily routine and confront yourself. Begin your dialogue with nature in just three hours.
I'm Tsukui, and I run a cafe in Shimokitazawa that feels like a campsite. I usually share information for camping beginners, but today I'd like to change my perspective a bit and talk about the word "camping" in a broader sense.
One of my favorite words is "design." When asked what design is, many people might think of aesthetic beauty or coolness. However, what I consider design to be is a method for solving problems. For example, chair design was created to solve the problem of people sitting safely.
Similarly, I believe that "camping" is also a design to solve problems we face. So, what problems does camping solve?
Setting up a tent, starting a fire, and cooking a meal—certainly, these are all part of the fun of camping. However, what we truly seek is a sense of the extraordinary, a liberation of mind, something we can't experience in our daily lives. With busy daily routines, accumulated stress, and rigid thinking, even the preparation for camping might leave you exhausted.
Therefore, what I would like to propose is a "dialogue with nature" that starts with just three hours. You don't need any tools. All you need is the desire to feel nature.
My recommendation is Haraizawa Falls, about an hour's drive from central Tokyo. It's a little-known, healing spot that I frequently visit from my home in Setagaya. Take the Chuo Expressway, then the Ken-O Expressway from the Hachioji Junction. Exit at the Hinode Interchange and take the local road towards Musashi-Itsukaichi Station. After driving for about 20 minutes from there, you'll come across a parking lot.
A 15-minute walk along the promenade from the parking lot brings you to a magnificent waterfall with a drop of approximately 60 meters. In winter, however, its appearance completely transforms. As if time has stopped, the entire waterfall becomes a majestic work of ice art.
The cold air instantly freezes the waterfall's spray, creating gigantic ice sculptures. The ice walls sparkle in the sunlight, and the frozen waterfall flows as if to pierce the silence. It is truly a mystical sight created by nature.
The sound of the waterfall freezes, and the space is enveloped in silence. Forget the usual hustle and bustle and simply be captivated by the sight before you. Such a special experience can be had by visiting Hozawa Falls in winter.
Simply stand before the waterfall. Sometimes, close your eyes and listen to the sounds of nature. The chirping of birds, the sound of the wind, the rustling of trees. As you experience nature through all your senses, you will feel your heart being filled with contentment.
Thinking about your worries and anxieties in a different setting might lead to new solutions. Spending time in nature, even just a little away from the daily grind, can provide us with healing and rejuvenation.
Camping can be more free and more accessible. While full-fledged camping, which requires time and effort to prepare, is certainly appealing, simply connecting with nature in a more casual way can be incredibly refreshing.
While spending your days off at home is fine, try setting aside just three hours to immerse yourself in nature. Drive to a waterfall, walk there, and take a deep breath in the natural surroundings. You'll be surprised at how much lighter your mind becomes with just that.
People who love camping surely cherish the time they spend in nature. Gathering equipment and preparing is certainly part of the fun of camping, but at its core, isn't it a desire to get away from everyday life and refresh oneself?
If you've been feeling a bit tired lately, you should definitely visit Hozawa Falls. The frozen waterfall, especially in winter, will give you an indescribable feeling of awe. In just three hours, your mind and body will feel incredibly refreshed.
I hope this story can add a little color to your daily life.
