15 Photos of Fukugawa Waterfalls Revisited

An Attraction in Nago Okinawa

These falls are part of Nago City few travelers get to see.

It's been close to five years since I made the trek.  These images were processed today.

It took a bit of photo editing, to prepare them for some travel sites.

The traditional Okinawa tiled-roof building serves as a rest stop.

It may be found, on the trail at the lower entrance to the waterfalls.

Reaching the falls from the trail at the top can be dangerous so, is not recommended.

Those, not good at navigating via Google Maps, may get directions at Map It Okinawa.

Pleasant weather, this time of the year, makes this an enjoyable nature hike.

A light jacket, sturdy walking shoes and, some insect repellent, would be the way to go.

The walk only takes about fifteen minutes but, I spend half an hour doing photography.

There's no telling, what kinds of creatures, you might spot in the jungles.

Birds, butterflies and, humongous banana spiders, are some of my favorites.

Recent typhoons may have turned this trickle of water, into a raging river.

Places along the trail may require visitors, to get their feet a little wet.

A walking stick might be a good idea, to keep from falling off of slippery rocks.

A few spots along the way, the trail may be non-existent and, climbing is necessary.

There's something about trekking in nature that relaxes the body.

Just, don't get too comfortable, climbing on wet rocks; they can be dangerous.

In places along the way, you may have to decide, which side of the stream, to hike on.

Like flowing water, I tend to take the path of least resistance.

Younger generation folks, may sprint, and splash, ahead of me. That's fine.

It's always fun, to experiment with slower shutter speeds, shooting flowing water.

If, you didn't bring along a camera, at least take some smart-phone photos.

Ferns, fallen trees, vegetation, flowing water and rocks, are great for composing images.

Cloudy days, are the best, for this type of photography. There's no sun glare.

A dreary day, when the beach is out of the question, is perfect for this trip.

Most people will hear the waterfall before it comes into sight.

It's not the largest fall in Okinawa but, it certainly is beautiful.

Whenever I visit waterfalls, I like to photograph from different angles.

On a sunny day, it's best to wait for some clouds to block the bright sunlight.

Moving around, gives you a chance to compose various images.

When reviewed on a computer monitor later, it's easy, to throw the worst ones away.

Sometimes, an editor wants, space to write or advertise. It's their money.

So, I'll make a composition, such as this. I certainly, don't like the image.

Show me the gold and, you can have it.

From the right side of the waterfalls, I had to shoot through some vegetation.

People who want privacy might think, this is a good place to jump into the water.

Just, don't be swimming around naked, when I show up for a frontal shot!

Fukugawa Falls on Google Maps

Warnings and directions at Map It Okinawa.

Seeing Hacksaw Ridge

Not the Movie - The Terrain

War movies aren't something you'll catch me watching very often. War kinda sucks.

We've heard about the film "Hacksaw Ridge" and, seen a few promotional clips.

Doc Graff and I, decided to take a hike, with cameras and, check the place out.

It was a blazing hot August day and, we were sweating like a few hogs in a roaster.

There's a little museum-looking building we came across and, saw this poster.

The building is called Urasoe Youdore and, it's well worth paying 100 yen to visit.

The staff are friendly and gave us permission to take photos. Little English is spoken.

But, we get by with our pidgin Japanese and Okinawan Hogen.

There are all sorts of treasures in this climate controlled building.

They have archaeological, historical and war-related artifacts on display and, I found this photo.

It shows Medal of Honor recipient, Desmond Doss, visiting Okinawa in 1995. 

For those who never heard of Desmond Doss or Hacksaw Ridge, I shot this photo.

The stone marker, dedicated to him, has been moved over the years.

We had trekked the lower levels of the hill but, wanted to walk Hacksaw Ridge entirely.

That's because there's a spot named Desmond Doss Point, up there somewhere.

All along the walkways, going up and down those hills, there are caves.

The vegetation is too thick, to see many of them and, it's fairly rough terrain.

Not far from the Urasoe Castle walls, we located Desmond Doss Point and, this photo was taken.

The Original Stone Marker

The day wouldn't be complete, without locating the stone dedicated to Pfc. Doss.

A gentleman, working at the museum, gave us directions to the Adventist Church.

It's located far from Hacksaw Ridge, in Kitanakagusuku.

The International Seventh-day Adventist Church, maintains the marker.

The church was located and, a middle aged woman came out to show us the location of the stone.

We thanked her and, asked if photography would be allowed. She gave the OK.

The back side of the stone is etched in Japanese. I can read Desmond T Doss.

When we were done, the lady at the church, invited us to go inside the buildings.

We're sweating like a couple of goats in heat by now and, I ain't crazy about churches.

So, we thanked her and, said it was time for us to get back on the highway.

Church people are alright and, I try to be respectful around them but, don't get too close.

They're religious and I'm sacrilegious so, don't want none of my stuff getting rubbed into them.

 If, you decide to visit Hacksaw Ridge, there's parking at the bottom of the trail. 

For a shorter hike, I recommend parking at Urasoe Youdore ; don't forget to visit the toilets.

There are no Men's or Women's facilities once you leave that parking lot !

10 Travel Scenes from Ike Castle (いけい グスク) in Okinawa

Best to Enter at Low Tide

 

 

The trail leading up to this site begins at sea level.

If you don't like getting your feet wet, wait for the tide to go out. I didn't.

A castle in Okinawa, is known as a gusuku.

If you have trouble finding the place, just ask the folks at Ike Beach, where the gusuku is.

Right across the street from the tourist beach is this trail.

It's on a not-so-touristy beach.

Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.  Flip-flops are dangerous.

Notice the bright yellow handrails. They help in climbing the stairs.

Plan on spending an hour climbing and returning along this path.

It is the only way to get up and down to see all of the the gusuku.

A few places along the way, you can stop and enjoy the ocean view.

For me, it's an opportunity to catch the breeze, my breath and some photos.

Nearing the peak of the climb is this shrine.

The red roof makes bright contrast with the jungle background.

The trail to the top of the gusuku continues, off to the left of this shrine.

Don't take the path leading past this shrine, unless you are an archaeologist.

When I see people digging up bones and shards of pottery, I go somewhere else.

Call me a pedestrian.

No more handrails or stairs, means you are nearing the top.

Once you see this small shrine, you have completed the hike.

Here and, at the lower shrine some offerings of coins may have been made.

This shrine contains lots of seashells, too.

The entire trip lasts about an hour and gives your hiking shoes a great workout.

A visit to this castle is a good way to spend some time outdoors in nature.

And, the best part of the deal: It's Free !

Selected Scenes: The Hike Up Mt.Yonaha (与那覇岳) Okinawa

Ten Photos from Mt. Yonaha

 

This series of photos was taken, today as we hiked up the tallest mountain on Okinawa.

It should give the viewer a sense of what to expect to see along the route.

There isn't any special mountain climbing gear required to scale this big hill.

Sturdy walking shoes and the will to reach the top are all that's needed.

This landslide probably happened during one of last year's typhoons.

 Fallen trees, you have a choice.  Go over, under or, around them.

It's a designated Wildlife Protection Area so, I wouldn't mess with anything.  Not even a fallen tree.

There is a surprising amount of bamboo growing on the mountain.

Going under fallen trees got tiring so, I opted to go over some of them.

The trail is definitely, NOT Flip-flop, Baby Buggy or, Skateboard Friendly !

 If you wear a backpack or, carry little critters on your back, Be Careful.

Every once in awhile, I got hung-up or, unintentionally, banged my head on something.

Plan on spending an hour and a half or, two hours getting to the top.

And, the same amount of time on the return trip, so you don't slip and fall.

This 498 meter sign, is at the end of the trail and I figured we gotterdun.

But, Doc Graff and Map It Okinawa talked to some local gals and found out something.

Somewhere, around that place there's a higher point that comes to 503 meters.

That means, as soon as my legs and back quit hurtin' we have to climb back up Mt. Yonaha.

And, getterdun properly.  Dagnabbit !

Photo Opportunities on the Trek to Hira Taki Waterfall

Lately, I've been going off the beaten path with a camera and tripod a lot.

Hira Taki is one of those places Map It Okinawa located for his adventurous followers.

He estimates the trek up to the falls takes about twenty minutes.

That's probably correct for someone who is in a hurry to get there.

What I like to do (ahem-ahum) is pretend I'm a senior citizen and take my time.

There are some beautiful colors and textures nature provides along the way.

Rocks, ferns, trees, deadwood, moss, and even muddy water, are all fair game, to me.

What I do is wait for a passing cloud to block the glare from the sun.

My camera and I consider those few seconds photo opportunities.

If you go on a trek to Hira Taki with me, plan on spending an hour traveling, each way !

Learn more about hiking up Okinawa's Hira Taki Waterfall  here.


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