Riding to the Sky, Camping at the Springs Part 2

After breakfast on Sunday, we went for a short walk to the sulfuric foot baths near Hirayu Waterfall. It was very nice to soak the feet while admiring the stunning mountains in all directions.

A short walk up the hill through the trees took us to the spectacular waterfall.

The falls are about 60meters high and apparently were found by soldiers long ago, guided by a white monkey.

If you are in the area, make sure to visit the park http://www.mjnet.ne.jp/hirayu-ootaki/

On the return home, we first stopped at the Nagawado Dam on the Azusa River.

The dam is 155 meters high and combines with two other dams along the river to supply electricity to Tokyo Electric Power Company. Next to the dam, you can visit Azusa Tepco-kan for an insight in the how the dam works, was made and lots of other hands-on displays. http://www.tepco-pr.co.jp/azusa/

After having some great soba noodles at a nice place along Route 26, we stopped in at Naraijuku, an old post town on the Nakasendo route once used to walk from Edo (now Tokyo) to Kyoto (still Kyoto). The old houses give off a flavor of centuries past, and sell a variety of local-made and traditional items.