Soaked up Negative Ions at the Namiita Fudonotaki Falls 2026/4/11

Two months ago, Sachiki-san and I visited Namiita Beach in Otsuchi Town, but this time we visited the Namiita Fudonotaki Falls, located in the mountainous area of the same Namiita district.

I'd wanted to go for a long time, but Google Maps navigation showed that the final few hundred metres to the falls would have to be on foot, so I hesitated.

I checked the Otsuchi Town Tourism and Exchange Association’s website, and it seemed possible to drive there, so I decided to go. I was able to drive almost all the way to the Kujirayama Shrine actually, just before the waterfall. However, the road is unpaved.

According to the information board, the waterfall is about 15 metres high.

The sound of the powerfully flowing waterfall was soothing, and it feels as plenty of negative ions are being released.

It seemed possible to drive right up to Kujirayama Shrine, which is very close to the waterfall, but since making a U-turn would be difficult, I parked my car in a wider area along the way.

There are many stone monuments standing where I parked. Some of them appear to have been donated recently, showing that the shrine is still a place of worship today.

Kujirayama Shrine can be seen at the end of the approach path in the image below. The waterfall is beyond that.

The current shrine building appears to have been constructed after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The shrine used to be situated so close to the waterfall that it seemed as if the water's droplets splashing to it, but now only a small offering box is placed in that spot.

The water flowing from the waterfall forms a gentle stream, which seems to cleanse the soul.

Water of Iwai River Flowing through Genbikei was Mysterious Blue 11.1, 2023

Sachiki-san and I went to Genbikei, which is located in Ichinoseki City, about 100 km south of Morioka City, and is popular among inbound foreign tourists.

Even if you drive 100km, you're still in Iwate Prefecture, so I really think that Iwate Prefecture is huge.

It seemed like the best time to see the autumn leaves was little way away, but we found some fallen leaves that had turned red.

"Sachiki-san, this is not a snack."

The area around the gazebo where you can order ``Kakko Dango (dumpling)'', also known as ``flying dango'', is also a viewing point, so tourists were gathering.

Avoiding the crowds near the gazebo and walked from the parking lot towards the downstream direction opposite the gazebo.

The Iwai River water seen through the trees was slightly milky blue.

This seems to be due to the hot spring ingredients of Mt. Kurikoma, from which the Iwai River flows.

As we walked through the trees, we came across a suspension bridge.

Instead of crossing the suspension bridge, we went back the way we came.

we went back near the parking lot and looked from the bridge, which is not a suspension bridge.

The Autumn Leaves in Kakkonda Valley have Just Begun 10.11, 2023

I had heard that the autumn leaves would be late this year due to the long lingering summer heat, but according to the autumn leaves information, Kakkonda Valley is now in its best season.

"It is a must go!'' Sachiki-san and I visited to Takinoue Onsen hot spring by the Kakkonda River.

Takinoue Onsen is located about 40 km from Morioka city, and although it is not far from the city, it is a place where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a secret hot spring.

There is a facility where you can take a day trip bath, but since I was with Sachiki-san, I did not take a bath this time.

As the name Takinoue Onsen suggests, the hot spring is located upstream of Torigoe Falls.

To see the waterfall, go to Takinoue Onsen, park at the Takinoue Park parking lot, and walk back to Takimidai viewing platform.

The sound of fumarole reaches the parking lot.

It takes about 5 minutes to walk to Takimidai viewing platform.

The waterfall is said to have a height of 30m, but it was hidden behind the trees and I couldn't see the whole thing. The road runs right next to the waterfall, so you can hear the sound of the waterfall while walking.

This is an erosion control dam on the way to Takinoue Onsen. The road is a little wider in this area, so you can park your car and enjoy the scenery.