Mifune Falls

Mifune Falls drops fifty meters off a ridge in Nara Prefecture, fanning out into a wide spray above a churning pool. In summer, the base is accessible by a short walk through mossy forest and across mountain streams. In winter, when temperatures drop far enough, the entire falls freezes into a column of ice, usually between late January and early February. The road closes in winter, but hikers willing to cover the three kilometers on foot can reach it in about an hour. The area is called Ihika, a name from the 712 Kojiki, Japan's oldest chronicle, which tells of a glowing well and a deity who helped the legendary first emperor find his way.