The best waterfalls in Chiba Prefecture

Went to Chiba specifically to get away from the Tokyo heat, actually. It was one of those days where the city just doesn't let up, and someone mentioned Noumizo Falls, in Kimitsu, so we drove out.

Walked into the forest and the temperature just dropped, a few degrees at least, almost right away. Running water, shade, a bit of wind moving through — I didn't want to leave that spot once we got there. Felt like the only place in the Tokyo area that actually made sense for summer.

The falls themselves, officially it's Noumizo Falls and the cave next to it is called Kameiwa, the turtle rock cave. About twenty minutes of walking in total. Light comes through the cave opening and hits the water in a way that looks almost staged, like a movie set. Early morning or right before sunset is when the light works best — that's when people actually get the good shots, not midday.