

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 32mm — 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Who Needs a T-Shirt?
when you have a waterfall
photo by Yoshimi Tabata
I wrote in yesterday's post about great T-Shirts for Kyoto's hot summer, but took advantage of an even better situation today when I made a visit to the Kuuya-taki Waterfall (空也滝) in western Kyoto. It was my third visit, and I've posted about it at length before, such as “Finally Reaching the Kuuya-taki Waterfall in Western Kyoto” last month.
Anthony and I went with some friends from France, Anne and Yoshi, and 10-year-old Nao. I have much I want to post, but lacking energy this evening I'll put just a few shots.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading Up

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 102mm — 1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Through The First Gate

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 125mm — 1/250 sec, f/3.2, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Checking It Out

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 82mm — 1/200 sec, f/3.2, ISO 4500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Really Tall
There was much less water than when I visited last (which had been the day after we got smacked by a typhoon). Compare this shot from then with this one from today:

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/10 sec, f/2.8, ISO 125 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Relative Trickle
It's just as well because last time it was really painful to be under the water... it felt like sledge hammers falling non stop on your head. This time it was just fun.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 58mm — 1/50 sec, f/2.8, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Climbing To The Top
photo by Yoshimi Tabata

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
Made It!
photo by Anthony Friedl
No, I didn't really climb the waterfall to the top, though the part I did climb was really easy, so perhaps someone with guts could have done it. Rather, I took a path that had a chain to help on the steep ascent, so it was really quite easy. Returning down by the same path was only slightly more worrisome... it's always easier to go up than down.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Starting The Return Trip
photo by Anthony Friedl

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/50 sec, f/2.8, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Wider View
photo by Anthony Friedl

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 720 — map & image data — nearby photos
Chain Makes it Easy
photo by Anthony Friedl

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 32mm — 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
King of the World
this kid is native-fluent in English, French, German, and Japanese,
and has no idea that it's special
photo by Yoshimi Tabata
The light in the waterfall valley was really rich on this mostly-cloudy day...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 34mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Splash of Sun

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Canopy

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 130mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 720 — map & image data — nearby photos
Standouts

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Twisty
more of the vines mentioned on “Beyond The Staircase Ruins”
In a project with the boys that would have certainly met with my own mom's approval, Yoshi turned a haphazard stream into a series of pretty steps...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 150mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
After the lucky success of the lens flare in last week's “This Evening’s Sunset in Kyoto” I tried it on purpose here, but it fell flat...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/30 sec, f/6.3, ISO 800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Snooooze

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 10000 — map & image data — nearby photos
One of the Many Statues
surrounding the falls

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 10000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Heading Home
perhaps checking out Nicolas' Bug
京都市の空也滝で良いレンスを無くしませんでしたか?今日、拾った。あなたのものだったら、詳しい情報と一緒に連絡して下さい。
While we were there, I found a pretty nice lens tucked in a weather-protected spot (tucked so well that perhaps that's why the owner walked off without it). I've put notes in English and Japanese on Facebook and Google Plus about it, but I may as well mention it here as well... if it's your lens, contact me with the particulars.
Well, the kid is not native-fluent in English yet, but understands it pretty well. As for the other 3 languages it’s true. You offered this kid and his proud parents a WONDERFUL day, you really make people happy (= good idea to require this word for sending a comment). Thanks a million times for that great day!!! We are so glad to know you!
Anne
You really should take the lens to a police department near the spot where you found it, I doubt the person reads Facebook and Google Plus (maybe that’s what you did.)
I’m giving it a week, then bringing it to the local koban (police station). Oddly, I had been there that very morning to help return a lady’s handbag that my friend found in the street near my place. —Jeffrey
I am writing from Gyeongsan-si, South Korea (right out side of Daegu). I am taking a trip to Kyoto next month and would love to see the falls. I have searched google to find information on how to get to the falls but have not succeeded in finding clear directions. I would really appreciate it if you could tell me how to get to Kuuya-no-Taki Falls. Your pictures are incredible and I want to take some of my own. Please get back to me when you get the chance. Thanks!!
The entrance from the road is at latitude/longitude of 35.051208, 135.651245 (see the map link under this photo), so you might try Google Maps driving directions from wherever you’ll be (e.g. Kyoto Station) to that. The nearest public transport that I know of is to a bus stop 2.3km down the mountain. The road from there is through a small village for a short distance, then it’s a narrow dead-end road (seen here) for the rest of the way. Bicycle, scooter, or foot are the way to go… I don’t recommend car. (I took a car once and it was extremely nerve wracking.) —Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey,
My husband Kaz and son Yoshi enjoyed
Kiyotaki yesterday!
Great photos.
Check the spelling
It is Kiyotaki.
Kiyotaki (清滝) is a different, more well-known place a few kilometers closer to town. —Jeffrey