A power spot called "waterfall"
Why have waterfalls come to be called power spots? Because of the strong flow of water, waterfalls are believed to activate the surrounding energy flow and circulate energy. Furthermore, negative ions are generated in the process of water flowing with natural energy. Negative ions are believed to promote the purification of the air and have a positive effect on the body. Since ancient times, waterfalls have been associated with a mystical image and have been considered places where spiritual energy gathers. For these reasons, waterfalls are places where one can feel the power of nature, and it is believed that they can help align the body and mind with the rhythm of nature, thus relieving stress and promoting relaxation.
If you're feeling stressed, why not take a half-day off and head to Hossawa Falls in Okutama, about an hour's drive from central Tokyo?
Hozawa Falls is a breathtaking waterfall in the summer, and a frozen waterfall in the winter.
There is no entrance to the southbound Chuo Expressway at Takaido, so proceed along the Koshu Kaido towards Shinjuku to Eifuku, then make a U-turn to access the southbound Chuo Expressway. From Hachioji, take the Ken-O Expressway and exit at Hinode IC. From there, drive on local roads for about 30 minutes to reach Akigawa Valley. If you set your navigation on Google Maps and arrive at the location, you will be directed to the vicinity of a restaurant's parking lot, but if you go a little further, there is a free parking lot in front of the entrance to Haraizawa Falls. Park your car there and walk for 15 minutes along the beautiful green promenade in front of you. A waterfall will appear with water cascading down from a height of 20 meters.
If you visit Hozawa Falls in winter, you can see the entire waterfall frozen solid.
A frozen waterfall. You can see something quite rare here.
In the summer, many people visit to enjoy playing in the river and having BBQs, but in the winter, it's not as crowded and is a hidden gem.
Hiking that can be enjoyed in conjunction with waterfall tours
I have become addicted to the unique worldview of YouTuber "Teru-san TVI learned about Hozawa Falls through "[website name]", and on a weekend when I was feeling a bit down, I decided to drive alone to Okutama. I enjoyed a light hike on the walking trail leading to Hozawa Falls, and from there I learned the joy of being in nature and camping, and a vague dream was born to one day start my own camping brand. If there's something you want to do someday, it's definitely better to do it now.Life in Shonan"That's what a YouTuber I deeply admire said.
How can we enjoy life? I feel like hiking teaches us a lot of things.
The walking trail to Hozawa Falls takes only 15 minutes one way. Back then, due to the pandemic and my lack of exercise, even a 15-minute walk felt like giving up. But when you consider the destination as the goal, what's the next step? It's to take one step at a time. By accumulating those steps for 15 minutes, you reach your goal. I think that in all things, it's about steadily doing the best you can at that moment, one step at a time. That might be a hint to the answer to the question of how to enjoy life.
