Waterfalls: A Power Spot
Why have waterfalls come to be known as power spots? Due to their strong water flow, waterfalls are believed to activate the flow of energy in their surroundings and circulate energy. Furthermore, negative ions are generated in the process of water flowing with natural energy. Negative ions are said to promote air purification and have a positive effect on the body. Since ancient times, waterfalls have had a mystical image and have been considered places where spiritual energy gathers. For these reasons, waterfalls are places where you can feel the power of nature, allowing your body and mind to align with natural rhythms, providing stress relief and relaxation.
If you're feeling stressed, why not take half a day off and head to Hossawa Falls in Oku-Tama, just an hour's drive from the city center?
Hossawa Falls: Magnificent in summer, frozen in winter.
To get to the westbound Chuo Expressway, there is no entrance at Takaido, so proceed towards Shinjuku on Koshu Kaido until Eifuku, then make a U-turn to get on the westbound Chuo Expressway. From Hachioji, take the Ken-O Expressway, exit at Hinode IC, and then drive for about 30 minutes on local roads to reach Akigawa Valley. When you set your navigation on Google Maps and arrive at the location, you'll be directed near a restaurant parking lot, but if you go a little further, there's a free parking lot in front of the entrance to Hossawa Falls. Park your car there and walk for about 15 minutes along a simply beautiful green promenade. You'll then come across a waterfall with water flowing from a height of 20 meters.
If you visit Hossawa Falls in winter, you can see the entire waterfall frozen solid.
A frozen waterfall. It's quite a rare sight.
In summer, many people come to enjoy playing in the river and barbecuing, but in winter, it's not as crowded and is a hidden gem.
Hiking to enjoy alongside waterfall巡り
I learned about Hossawa Falls from the YouTuber "Terusan TV," whose unique worldview I am deeply fond of and revere. One weekend, when I was feeling a bit down, I impulsively drove to Oku-Tama alone. I enjoyed a light hike on the promenade leading to Hossawa Falls, which sparked my love for nature and camping, and a vague dream was born to someday launch my own camping brand. If you have something you want to do someday, it's definitely better to do it now. This was said by "Shonan no Kurashi," another YouTuber whom I deeply admire.
How can one enjoy life? Hiking seems to teach many things.
The promenade to Hossawa Falls takes 15 minutes one way. At that time, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was out of shape, and even that short 15-minute path almost made me give up. However, when you see your destination as your goal, what's the next thing to do? Take one step at a time, right? By accumulating those steps for 15 minutes, you reach your goal. I think in all things, it's about steadily doing the best you can, one step at a time. That might be a hint to the answer of how to enjoy life.
