#minoh

達磨 Daruma invasion

📍勝尾寺

New Year’s Day 2025: Chasing Rainbows at Minoh Waterfall

After surviving the not-so-gentle climb to the Minoh Observation Deck, I was ready for a more peaceful journey to Minoh Waterfall. But nothing could have prepared me for the sense of calm that washed over me as I began my hike through the park. The air was fresh – so fresh, it felt like every breath I took was a deep reset for my soul. As I walked, I could feel the tension of the past year slowly slipping away, replaced with a sense of profound peace. The trees whispered above me, the stream babbled gently alongside the path, and the world felt a million miles away.

With every step, I felt lighter, as if the serenity of nature was soaking into my very being. The further I ventured, the more relaxed I became. It wasn’t just the physical act of walking; it was the experience of simply being present, of slowing down, and letting everything else fall away. The fresh, earthy scent of the forest, the gentle rustling of the leaves in the wind—it was all so alive, and it made me feel more connected to the world around me than I had in ages. My soul felt like it was breathing, expanding with the pure joy of just existing in this peaceful moment.

And then, I reached the waterfall.

The Minoh Waterfall was stunning in its own right—its 33-metre cascade tumbling down the rocks, surrounded by lush greenery. But what made the scene even more magical was the rainbow that appeared in the mist, stretching gracefully across the falling water. The soft, vibrant arc of colour was so perfectly formed, it felt like the universe had added a touch of magic to an already beautiful day.

The rainbow was the icing on the cake—its colours shimmering above the pool of water, blending harmoniously with the mist. As I stood there, staring at the rainbow dancing in the spray of the waterfall, I felt completely at peace. I had come to this spot tired, sweaty, and unsure of what I would find, but in that moment, I realised that sometimes the best things are the unexpected ones. The rainbow, the fresh air, the sound of the water—all of it combined to create a feeling of pure serenity, like the world had paused just for me.

It was as if the rainbow was nature’s little gift to me—a reminder that after the struggles, the effort, and the sweat, there can be moments of beauty and peace that make it all worthwhile. The sight of that rainbow was a perfect symbol for the start of a new year: full of promise, unexpected joy, and the kind of beauty that reminds you to slow down and appreciate life’s simpler moments.

So, if you’re ever in Minoh, take a moment to breathe, to listen, and to enjoy the journey. And if you're lucky, you might just get to see that rainbow in the waterfall too – a reminder that sometimes, after all the hard work, nature will give you something truly magical to enjoy.

Daruma dolls deposited at Katsuōji Temple (勝尾寺) in Minō, Osaka Prefecture, donated back after the owners’ wishes were fulfilled