I have spent most of the last month in Japan, where monstrous flooding rain in the west and a nationwide heatwave dominated the news almost everyday of our stay. We were based in the north, in Fukushima (which of course has had its own fair share of trouble in the recent past) but this year it was just hot, hot, hot… everyday… The only escape was air-conditioning or – my own personal favourite, the cool shady green of Tohoku’s beautiful forest gorges 🙂

Yoshinodaira fudou taki (falls) in Yamatsuri town, Fukushima

Yoshinodaira fudou taki

These falls are located in the southernmost town of Fukushima, Yamatsuri. They are a simple walk from the side of the road, and finding them might have once been a chore – back in the days before google maps navigation that is 😉

The falls were captivating – just a few metres in height but with a really beautiful air about them. Reminded me a lot of the not so secret Secret Falls right here in Hobart actually (even the fact that the falls are no secret is a match!)

Yoshinodaira fudou taki (falls) in Yamatsuri town, Fukushima

We arrived to full sunshine so shooting wasn’t a great success initially, as the sunlight was right on the stream. But standing knee deep in the cool shady water was not a bad place to be given it was 35 degrees!

Some nice purple flowers beside Yoshinodaira Fudou Falls

Some nice purple flowers beside Yoshinodaira Fudou Falls

As I was photographing some purple flowers beside the creek, the clouds came in so I rushed back into the river and was able to get a few shots in the nice even light.

My favourite composition of the day 🙂

I’ll have a couple more posts from my trip in the coming days 🙂