However, today I'm smashing at the keyboard like a monkey attempting to write Dickens. And why? (I probably don't hear you asking..) because it turns out that the weekend hike along waterfalls was actually a hike THROUGH waterfalls!
Me and T.O.H generally don't travel to Takashima much, not just because we're Southside they're Westside and obviously we don't want to start a rumble. But because its A) So damn far and B) I'm so damn lazy. Still after a train journey just past Takashima (home of a giant Gulliver statue learning over the town, which possibly explains why so many Japanese people think foreigners are so tall hmm) we headed over to Gulliver's World, situated somewhere in the mountains next toYatsubuchi no Taki a series of increasingly big waterfalls. I not quite sure why a small town in Japan would associate itself with a fictional traveller famous for meeting little people and then big people, but this is Japan the place where you can find Amusement parks called Germany world and Spain land, so I've learnt not to question things too much.
For the young people, sadly the old people are locked out at night to fend for themselves.From what I've seen, Japanese camping usually takes the form of massive tents clustered around each other just outside of the car park areas, and the only camp fire they see is the glow of the BBQ. So heaven knows what they thought about us heading into the woods to attempt to fend for ourselves, well the massive supply of soy joy bars and caloriemate probably would help.
The first falls we saw were all man made, either that or Nature has finally perfected the straight line.Once we dumped of our stuff, I thought we were taking a nice swim before changing for the hike. So there I was in just my swimming shorts (no shoes) when I realised that this was the actual hike. Still when faced with these sort of situations 2 years in Japan has kind of given me a "ahhh to hell with it" attitude usually this means eating something that's staring at me, not cooked or left to rot for a few days, but it can also be applied to waterfall hikes I suppose.
Our local stream.Sadly because of the surprise nature of the hike and me not wanting to walk anywhere on my burning feet, there' s a distinct lack of photo's. however like the student searching for something to write his dissertation on (and will be disqualified for plagiarism) I have found a few items floating around the mystical ether we call THE INTERNET. So Here's a blog detailing one such trek along the trails, although considering that I did it all in bare feet I have a small sense of smugness, that and twisted toes. Some of the pictures below come from the blog to give you an idea of what we were climbing. 
Note the chain on the right, where I learnt even after all these years away from school I still can't climb ropes.
We clambered over algae smeared rocks, hauled ourselves up tree roots and scrabbled (I do a good scramble) 
up rusted metal chains and ladders. All in my bare feet, which after a while began to burn when not in the freezing cold waters (oh blessed freezing waters) Still we managed to make good progress. In fact the only real problem came at the top of the waterfalls where I looked down and realised that my toes on my right foot had locked into some sort of weird claws and were unable to move.
Here's where I realised that toes shouldn't be pointing in opposite directions.
(again Image taken from http://www.brandongermer.com/Yatsubuchi-no-taki.htm )
Traveling down the falls was somewhat easier as I tried the ancient method of "sliding on my arse" with gravity on our side and a real need to go toilet (hey I'm not going in the bushes after almost treading on a snake earlier in the day.I have some dignity you know.) we managed to make some good time.
I think at one point we scared the begollies out of a group of Japanese people who were kitted out in hard hats, wet suits, life jackets, oh and climbing shoes all linked together by a massive rope. They turned a corner to find me and my friend crouched on a rock staring at them like some sort of lost tribe of Japan, while having to stop and let them all pass one women asked me if we wore shoes, although I'm not sure she meant in the falls or in my country.
Saturday night was, unlike Elton John who prefers a fight, collecting firewood and then reenacting the ancient art of fire staring hmmmmmmmmmm flames. Before heading over to our tent to appreciate the usefulness of a fly gun.
The next day I've found aches on places I actually didn't know I had, scrapes all over my legs and an inability to move my arms up, but I can say I've done it and I've got the twisted toes to prove it.
For information about getting to the falls see here
Or Here
.... Oh and even better a video of the entire thing, just click on the user for the rest of the videos to see.
Headmaster clothing watch; Tight white polo shirt, elasticated black trousers, white socks.
Headmaster style watch; Like a bond villain who can't afford a hollowed out Volcano and so settles for a secret underground dance class room.
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