title: Hokuriku Tales vol.3

Summary

A book of five stories about Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama with useful data vol.3

Part 1. MountainsFrom one of Japan’s best 100 waterfalls to giant rocks,the mountain ranges in Hokuriku have got everythingHead for the mountains of Fukui to try your luck in findingalluvial gold and to look at the breath-taking elegant waterfallThe Asuwa River cuts across the city center of Fukui. Not many people know,however, that a little more upstream in the area of Ichinami, about half way upthe length of the river, there is a chance to find alluvial gold. Further upstreamthere used to be many gold mines. If you are lucky enough, you will be able toexperience the excitement of detecting a glittering grain.Ryusogataki Falls drapes a lace curtain into Heko River, a tributary of AsuwaRiver. The rock wall has many fine cracks and water is sprayed in all directionswhen it hits it, forming an ever-changing masterpiece of embroidery whichmakes you forget the summer heat. Ryusogataki Falls has been chosen as one ofthe One Hundred Waterfalls of Japan compiled by the Ministry of theEnvironment. Its elegant countenance attracts many camera enthusiasts.Some 500 meters downstreamfrom Ryusogataki Falls is a giant’skettle that has been formed byfluvial erosion. In stark contrastto the waterfall, a wild dynamicatmosphere prevails here.Chapter IV Natural wonders of Hokuriku Geo-tours: Feel the robust dynamism of the Hokuriku landscapeHot spots nearEchizen-Takada andKowa-Shozu stationson the JR EtsumiHokusen Line atthe inner bendsof Asuwa River.(photo by:YasunobuYoshizawa)Ryusogataki Falls is about60 meters high. The waterruns down along the rockwall like a lace curtain.Near the plunge pool, it iscool even in mid-summer.Hokuriku Tales vol.3 29