Tuesday, 2 May 2006

We woke up this morning in Nikko to bucketing rain. Buster dragged me around the Botanical Gardens and I bitched and moaned because I was cold and wet.

Then we decided to visit Jako Falls even though it was pissing down because Chiji had said it was very beautiful. And it was. Even though it was wet and I was wet, I really enjoyed it. We drove for miles up this tiny, winding road wondering if we were lost and finally reached a carpark. Still not sure if we were in the right place, we just followed the arrow sign post into the forest.

These are the steps going up to the falls.

Up and up we went, climbing the stone steps in the rain. The forest was quiet but we could hear a waterfall up ahead so figured we were in the right place.

Jako Falls.

There was a shrine at the falls and also another path that continued upwards. So upwards we went as the weather began to close in around us. It was so quiet and the only noise was our footsteps and the waterfall in the background.

The clouds coming in around us.

After Jako Falls we had lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant that served Buddhist dishes - ie. sixty different tofu dishes. But it was kinda cool. All tatami mats, kimono clad waitresses, tiny little dishes and all overlooking a Japanese garden with Bonsai.

Thank you Nikko.