EXCITING YAMANASHI AND MORE

A young Japanese macaque was spotted on a tree, probably the one from a monkey troop.

The gate of the road to the Shojiga Waterfall was closed.  A hanging sign notified all would be visitors that the waterfall was closed until April 25.  Therefore, I had to walk all the way to the entrance of the trail.  The weather was perfect for walking, very comfortable.  Probably it took about one hour.

One third of the trail was very nice, another one third was covered with a little bit of snow and the last one third was snowy and my shoes were soaked.  Because of the snow, the steep stairs were kind of slippery and caution was needed.  Although the sound of the waterfall could be heard, the amount of the water did not seem like all that much as far as watching from the observation point.  The sunlight through the hazy air was warm and reminded that the spring was close.

By the parking lot, apparently there is an animal path, especially for the deer.  There were a lot of fresh feces along the climbing path. (Concerning trekking, refer to SERVICE & GALLERY)

Guide Map and Feces of Japanese Deer, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 3/27/2017

Shojiga Waterfall and A Suspension bridge, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 3/27/2017

Shojiga Waterfall and A Suspension bridge, Nagasaka, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 3/27/2017

A stray-calico cat appeared.  After for a while, she was taken to a veterinarian for spaying and vaccination, and later she was tested for FIV and FeLV (both were negative).  She participated several adoption events, and even visited a cat café.  After several attempts, she was adopted by an elderly woman.  However, the adoption was not successful.  She escaped from the house and I had to go there to find her.  After that, I was lucky enough to find a couple lived in the nearby town.  She lives with the previous occupant and the foster parents.

Mike and her foster parents, Nirasaki-city, Yamanashi, 3/5/2017

The ritual of the swordsmanship was offered to the goddess of the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine by the members of the Kenbu Tenshin Ryu in FujiKawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture on February 11. It was freezing-cold rainy day and the tatami-mats were ice cold. Yet, it was an extremely spiritual experience.
The Kawaguchi Asama Shrine was registered as one of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Fujisan (Mount Fuji), a sacred place and source of artistic inspiration in 2013 and known for its huge seven 1,200-year-old cedar trees (https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/foreign/english/spot/p1_4445.html).

The sunrise of the New Year’s Day was observed from the rooftop of the Nagasaka Municipal Hall (January 1, 2017).  It is customary to observe the sunrise on New Year’s Day in Japan and pray for your health and success in the year.

Mount Fuji is a popular spot for viewing sunrise.