#oirase

[the-cricket-chirps]

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)

Autumn in Oirase

1933

[thebigup]

Trail of Oirase River in Aomori Prefecture, Japan

[hi-technique]

Woody Stream by tez-guitar

[tsurezureday]

[yoshiyukikaneko]

Oirase mountain stream in autumn

[ayadora]

Oirase Keiryu＠Aomori

 Koke Sanpo/Moss watching

At the time of autumn leaves last year, I stayed at Oirase Keiryu hotel located along Oirase gorge. Next morning I took part in a tour called Orase keiryu walk held by that hotel.

With a nature guide, the participants slowly walked along the gorge, which took about 2 hours to the goal.

■Close observation on moss

Of course the stream and the colors of autumn foliage were both really nice. However, what was most impressive for me was the encounter with moss. Before the tour started the guide distributed a loupe (magnifying glass) to each one. Once we looked into the glass and watched closely at the mossy surface of old trees, we noticed that there were various shapes of moss; rough-edged shapes like leaves, snow crystal shapes, round-edged soft shapes like matchsticks etc. Colors of them were not explained just as ‘green’; deep green, light green and there were even red ones. There was some moss that had some mint like scent when I rubbed the surface of its leaves.

That morning it rained right there. The appearance of small mossy crystals looked refreshing with the drops of rain water. Most of the participants are adults but we were enjoying as if children when we found mossy rocks or trees and looked into loupe with strong absorbed interest.

■Powerful moss

The guide told us moss is one of the very old living thing born on the earth.

There were some tall trees standing straight on the flat rocks. The guide said these were enabled by moss. On the surface of rock, soil attached by way of wind or rain. On that soil moss gradually spread and coated the surface of the rock. Then the moss caught seeds of trees and again gradually became rooted on and grew taller in the very long term. How powerful it is!

I think in coming spring we can encounter lots of different kind of moss. I hope I can go there again soon ⚘

[tohokutabi]

Oirase Valley. 奥入瀬渓谷。 Lake Towada spills out into a 14km river valley called the Oirase. Primeval, powerful and peaceful. 奥入瀬渓谷は十和田湖から始めます。すごかったなパーワスポットでした。 If you chose to walk the entire 14km, you're gonna be treated with powerful streams of surging waters and incredible waterfalls, almost entirely to yourself. 時間ややる気があれば、奥入瀬渓谷は歩いてみよ〜

[stsebastianorg]

Trail of Oirase River in Aomori Prefecture, Japan