Waterfall Trail › Snow Crystal Yoga & Wellness

This beautiful waterfall hangs over the Akataki Valley, which originates in Mt. Kenashi (1650m) in the eastern part of Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture.

A long time ago, the waterfall “Aka Taki(=waterfall) “ was found by three people (Matsumura, Sasaoka, Miyazaki) who climbed the mountain in search of a pure water source in order to open up Maesaka Village.　　

My ancestors were one of these early explorers.

It is a place where you can combine your mind and body with nature.

The trail is only open for a very short season from June to mid-December.
This makes it a very special, and rarely visited spot.

The goal is to hike to “Aka waterfall” in the middle of the mountain trail leading to the summit of Mt. Kenashi,
which is along a trail that is very beautiful and natural.　

We would hope to find and observe various animals,
birds and seasonal plants along the water stream while passing the waterfalls below,

Himuka waterfall ：25 meters high

Nakano waterfall: 8 meters high

Osen waterfall：35 meters high

O waterfall ：8m meters high

Aka waterfall ： 28 meters high （ ←final destination ）　

According to the historical book of Kosuge Shrine, the Hakuho year (645~710), Kobodaishi drew the water of the waterfall and called it “Aka” which means ” Red ” in Japanese.
It is considered to represent the color of the fire. and for the water offered to the Buddha.
Shugendo practitioners use this water for practicing “Goma”

”Kobodaishi=Kukai ” the historical figure and high priest.

“Shugendo” is a religion unique to Japan that believes in the god of the mountains and training in the mountains,
one can gain power from the gods. Those who believe in Shugendo and practice it are called “Yamabushi”.

Ancient Japan believed that there was a god in the mountains.
Yamabushi believed that by staying and living in the mountains, he could attain enlightenment.

Using the sacred mountains in various parts of Japan as training places,
they spend all of their time rigorously training and studying.

Through this rigorous training, they can obtain the “power” that is God’s grace.
And they aim to use that power for salvation for all living things.

”Goma” is a practice in which monks worship Buddha at the Gomadan (a platform that can be lit on fire) and receive benefits.

In Buddhism, lanterns are an important part of offerings to Buddha, and flames are believed to carry prayers and wishes and purify the soul.

For this reason, this waterfall was called the “Aka” waterfall.

The people of Maesaka Village enshrined the god of water at the waterfall and built a shrine to open the village.

More than 1,000 years later, we still worship Akataki Shrine in Maesaka district.
Please come and see the spiritual tradition every year on August 16th at night and 17th in AM time.
Since it enshrines the god of water, it always rains on festival days. It is a very mysterious festival.

REFERENCES：
「The history of Nozawaonsen village」
「Kosugeyama Hachisho Gongen Namigenryūji Origin Record」
「Shinshu Takai Kosugeyama Genryūji Temple Enki」etc

Please feel free to contact us.

PERIOD

Availability/open (June to November)
Please consult with your schedule in advance

DURATION

Departure village：8am
Come back to the village around 12pm

GUIDE FEE

　Basic Guide 8am～12pm　： 11,000yen per person
　　　　　※Please consult if you prefer Shugen-ja ” Yamabushi ” to join us : Additional fee of 11,000yen per person

INCLUDED

Official Trail guide fee
The fee is for per person, but for one group (1 to 5 people) per day.　 ※Consultation required for 5 or more people

NOT INCLUDED

Please take out travel and light mountaineering insurance on your own

WHAT TO BRING

Drinks for hydration are essential.
Please bring your own lunch box, snacks, towels for wiping sweat, gloves, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent spray,
poles, etc. A rucksack that always leaves both hands free is essential.

CLOTHES

Easy-to-move clothes and shoes.
It may be convenient if you have a jacket that can easily regulate your body temperature against sunburn/cold weather.
Mountain weather can change quickly.

CONDITIONS

Please pay attention to safety, and consider your own muscle strength, physical strength,
and physical condition. If you have any doubts about your fitness, please contact me and I can advise in consultation with you.

Under 18 years old must be accompanied by a guardian.

Also, if you have a fever of 37.5 degrees celsius or higher or are not feeling well
within 3 days before the activity date, please refrain from participating.

We appreciate your understanding in advance.

NOTES

Those who have had a major illness or surgery in the past,
those with allergies, or those who are injured,
if you are sick, pregnant, or have a physical disability due to congenital or acquired reasons,
Please be sure to declare so in writing before participating in the activity with the consent of your doctor.
Please accept and understand that no medical services,
including medical judgments regarding physical conditions, will be provided.

We may have to cancel due to bad weather.
In that case, we will propose an indoor activity, but we ask for your understanding in advance.
Please understand that the course of the day can be entrusted to the guide.
In that case, we will consult with you in advance.

MEETING TIME

Please arrive 10 minutes before the experience time.
Please kindly inform us of your mobile phone number that can be contacted on the day of the activity
and the name of your accommodation in the village for the purpose of coming to pick you up when it’s raining.