【In Search of Coolness】My hot-loving canine companion is also very satisfied! We have arrived at the hidden gem "Shio River Falls" in Aikawa, Kanagawa Prefecture

I brought my heat-sensitive dog to "Shio River Falls," located in Aikawa, Aikou-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. It's just a short walk from the free parking area and is cool, making it perfect for summer walks!

Recommended by a local dog friend! To the cool "Shiokawa Falls"

This summer seems like it's going to be hot. Even though it's May, there are more days when the daytime temperature exceeds 30°C. This makes walks for my dog a problem. Especially for my dog, who struggles with heat, we’ve been stuck only going out in the early morning or at night when the sun relaxes.

I had been thinking of going somewhere cool when I was informed by my local dog friend about "Shiokawa Falls" (Shio Kawadaki) in Aikawa Town. It's about an hour's drive from the city center.

According to the official website of Shiokawa Falls, there is a free parking lot about a 5-minute walk away. So, I decided I had to check it out, and I went there the other day.

Shiokawa Falls
Location: 949 Hanzawara, Aikawa Town, Aiko District, Kanagawa Prefecture (Parking Lot)

When I actually went, on the day I visited, the area around Shiokawa Falls was under construction. Therefore, I had to park the car a little down the mountain and walk. Checking the temperature gauge in my car, it read 24°C. It's only about 2-3°C lower than the flatlands, but the air feels completely different. The temperature is very pleasant.

There are many shaded areas along the river, and there’s a breeze from the water that makes it feel even cooler. My dog, who usually gets tired quickly, seemed to enjoy this coolness and walked happily.

As I walked further, I noticed water flowing over the gravel path. It seems that due to the construction happening ahead, the waterway was temporarily changed!?

My dog, unaware, accidentally stepped into the small stream and seemed quite surprised. It hurriedly ran away. After that, it kept looking at the flowing water, so I suggested, "How about trying to go in again?" However, pretending not to hear, it walked off somewhere.

As I went deeper, I discovered the pleasantly cool Shio River Falls.

Continuing further, I saw a sign that read "The Legend of Shio River Falls." It seems that Shio River Falls is not just a scenic spot, but a special place where the falls themselves serve as a sacred object. Apparently, in the past, ascetic practitioners risked their lives training under the falls here.

Without a care for such history, my dog was happily exploring. Sniffing eagerly, it kept moving forward without stopping. A river flowed nearby, and a refreshing and pleasant air surrounded us.

As I progressed further and listened closely, I could hear the sound of the waterfall roaring.

After climbing the stairs to the viewing platform, I finally reached Shio River Falls! As I approached, the surrounding air became even cooler, and standing right next to the falls, I felt a chill that wrapped around me.

The falls are really close, and I was simply amazed by their scale. This might be the first time I’ve seen a waterfall so up close. Soaking up the negative ions pouring down, both my mind and body felt refreshed.

As I was taking a deep breath, my beloved dog started scratching at my feet. It seemed the roar of the waterfall was frightening to him, and he was completely frozen. Wanting to leave this spot, I quickly picked him up and moved away.

My dog, who tends to be both heat-sensitive and cold-sensitive, might have found the cool breeze from the waterfall chilly. Although there wasn’t time to soak in the lingering negative ions, this too is a fun memory.

Not just the waterfall, but the walk itself was enjoyable

I considered letting him play in the water on the way back, but the strength of the current was more intense than I imagined, making it not a good time to approach. My timid dog ultimately found the calm trickle flowing along the path just right. Despite being so scared on the way there, he was completely in high spirits on the return, splashing and playing joyfully.

It seemed he was satisfied after playing a lot. Lately, because of the heat, our daily walks had been cut short, so being able to let him play freely in this cool environment was a great joy for me as a pet owner.

As soon as the car started on the way home, he fell into deep sleep mode. It seems he had a thoroughly satisfying day, having been surprised a lot and walked a lot.

On the way back, we stopped by "Tamago Kanya," famous for its rich pudding.

On the way back, I got hungry, so I was drawn in by the sign for "Tamago Kashiya" and made a detour. It seems they handle freshly laid eggs and sweets made with those eggs. When I stopped by, there were several cars parked, indicating its popularity.

Tamago Kashiya
Location: 1437 Mitsu, Aikawa, Aikou-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Closed: January 1 - January 3

I decided to buy the “Tamago Kashiya Pudding” (280 yen), which is said to be the most popular item. It's a bit firm and rich in flavor, packed with the richness of the egg. This is delicious! The caramel sauce at the bottom nicely ties everything together.

My stomach and heart were fully satisfied, making it the perfect ending to a great drive. I would like to stop by Shio River Falls and Tamago Kashiya again on my next holiday.

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