真名井の滝（宮崎県）
近頃、「夏が暑くなった」とよく言われる。夏は暑いものだから、よく考えたらヘンな言葉づかいのような気がする。これは、私たちが常識の範囲でとらえている夏の暑さが、それ以上になっているということ。地球温暖化による気候変動のせい？そうかも知れないし、それはそれで対処をしなければならないが、もっと身近な問題として、今日の、今の、自分にふりかかっている暑さをどうにかしないと。猛暑は待ったなしだから。
涼を求めて、人はいろいろな工夫をする。リゾートでバカンスを楽しむ人もいれば、近所のプールに飛び込む人もいるし、かき氷をかき込む人もいる。さて、あなたならどんな方法で涼を楽しむだろうか？
ここに滝ガールという活動を行っている人がいる。坂崎絢子さん。大学生の頃から日本全国の滝めぐりをライフワークにして、滝の魅力を広く伝えている。なるほど、滝で涼を得るというのはなかなか魅力的だ。鬱蒼とした木々に囲まれて、大量の水がしぶきを上げて落ちる。あたりはマイナスイオンで満たされ、気持ちがゆったりとし、深い落ち着きが得られる。ぼんやりと、いつまでも、そこに佇んでいたくなる。想像しただけで涼しくなってきそうだ。
よし、滝を見に行こう！でもその前に、坂崎さんに滝のことを教えてもらおう。ライフワークをしてまで広めたくなる滝には、涼が得られるだけでなく、もっと深い魅力があるはず。滝に打たれるような、刺激的な話が飛びだすかもしれない。
Seeking coolness at waterfalls.
People often say that summers are getting hotter. Summers are supposed to be warm, but heat levels now often exceed our expectations. Is it due to climate change? Perhaps, and this needs addressing, but we also need to handle today's actual heat. The intense heat won't wait.
People have various ways to stay cool: Vacations at resorts, local pools, shaved ice treats. Which one is your preference?
Here is someone who is passionate about visiting waterfalls, Ayako Sakazaki. Since her university days, she has made it her life's work to visit waterfalls across Japan and share their charm. The coolness of waterfalls is indeed attractive. Surrounded by lush trees, large volumes of water cascading down with a misty spray fills the air with negative ions, bringing a sense of relaxation and deep calm. You might find yourself wanting to stand there, lost in thought. Just imagining it feels refreshing.
Alright, let's go see a waterfall! But first, let's learn about waterfalls from Sakazaki. If she has made it her life’s work to share their charm, there must be more than just coolness to waterfalls. We might hear thrilling stories as invigorating as standing under a waterfall.
Seeking coolness at waterfalls.
People often say that summers are getting hotter. Summers are supposed to be warm, but heat levels now often exceed our expectations. Is it due to climate change? Perhaps, and this needs addressing, but we also need to handle today's actual heat. The intense heat won't wait.
People have various ways to stay cool: Vacations at resorts, local pools, shaved ice treats. Which one is your preference?
Here is someone who is passionate about visiting waterfalls, Ayako Sakazaki. Since her university days, she has made it her life's work to visit waterfalls across Japan and share their charm. The coolness of waterfalls is indeed attractive. Surrounded by lush trees, large volumes of water cascading down with a misty spray fills the air with negative ions, bringing a sense of relaxation and deep calm. You might find yourself wanting to stand there, lost in thought. Just imagining it feels refreshing.
Alright, let's go see a waterfall! But first, let's learn about waterfalls from Sakazaki. If she has made it her life’s work to share their charm, there must be more than just coolness to waterfalls. We might hear thrilling stories as invigorating as standing under a waterfall.
a
b
a.吐竜の滝（山梨県）
b.十二滝（奈良県）
c
d
e
f
c,d.赤目四十八滝（三重県）
e,f.アナギの滝（三重県）
日本独自の方法で、人は滝と関わってきた。
「滝には性別があるんですよ」と切り出した坂崎さん。いきなり、思いもよらないところから滝の話に飛び込んできた。「怖いほど力強く圧倒される男性的な滝があれば、柔らかく繊細な女性的な滝もあります。畏怖の念すら覚えるような神々しさのある滝を前にしたら、人間は謙虚さを取り戻しますよ」。
坂崎さんが滝に惹かれるようになった理由のひとつに、ダイナミックに流れ落ちる滝に、もっと近づきたい、もっとパワーをもらいたいという思いがあったそうだ。
そもそも身近に自然が少ない環境で育ったという坂崎さん。18歳で車の免許を取りドライブをしていたら、とある滝に出会い、心が揺り動かされた。そこから、いろいろな滝を見にいくうちに、滝にはそれぞれ個性があることに気づいたという。激しい、やさしい、かっこいい。滝って人みたいだと思いはじめた頃から、滝を求めて全国を巡るようになった。
「癒しが得られる、それは滝の大きな魅力です。でも、それだけではありません。 日本の滝には伝統や文化、民俗学といった、私たち日本人が大切にするべきものが息づいています。
例えば和歌山県熊野古道に日本三名爆の那智の滝がご神体とされていることは有名ですよね。 そしてその滝のもとでは荒々しい火祭りが行われる。そこには日本独自の滝と人の関係を見ることができます」。 また滝を通して地学へとアプローチしていけるとも坂崎さんは語る。 「日本には火山プレートが密集しています。 そこで地殻変動が起き、段差ができ、雨が多い場所では川が流れ込み滝になる。滝を通して地形や地質などを読むことも楽しいですよ」。
滝の話が止まらない坂崎さん、これまでで特に印象に残っている滝はどこですか？ 「いくつかありますが、秋田県の安の滝はそのひとつです。落差が大きく、天から大量の水が落ちてくる様は壮大です。いまは通行止めになっていて行くことができないのが残念ですけど」。 他にも熊野エリアは那智の滝だけでなく、魅力的な滝が多くお気に入りだという。 一方にはマタギがいて、 また一方には修験者がいる。 そんな日本の精神性が息づく場所に滝があり、そこに坂崎さんは惹かれている。
Experiencing waterfalls in uniquely Japanese ways.
“Did you know that waterfalls have genders?” Sakazaki begins, immediately broaching the topic from an unexpected angle. “There are masculine waterfalls that are powerful and frightening, and feminine ones that are soft and delicate. Facing a majestic waterfalls that inspires awe can be humbling.” Sakazaki became fascinated with waterfalls because she wanted to get closer to their dynamic wonder and absorb their power.
Growing up with little nature, Sakazaki got her driver’s license at 18 and her encounter with a waterfall on a drive moved her deeply. Ensuing visits to various waterfalls revealed that each has a unique character—fierce, gentle, cool. She began viewing waterfalls as people and started traveling around Japan to find them.
“Healing is a major appeal of waterfalls, but there’s more. Japanese waterfalls embody traditions, culture, and folklore that we Japanese should cherish.
For example, Nachi Falls on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route in Wakayama, one of Japan’s three famous waterfalls, is considered sacred. A wild fire festival illustrating Japan’s unique relationship with waterfalls is held at the base of that waterfall.” Sakazaki also highlights the geological aspects: “Japan’s clustered volcanic plates cause tectonic shifts, creating level differences where rivers flow in places of heavy rainfall, creating waterfalls. Understanding the local geology and topography through waterfalls is fascinating.”
Which waterfall has left the biggest impression on you? “A few stand out, like Yasu Falls in Akita, with its grand drop of water from the heavens. Sadly, it’s now closed to visitors. I also love the waterfalls in the Kumano area of Wakayama, rich in spiritual significance with their Matagi hunters and ascetics. It’s this deep spirituality that draws me to them.”
Ready to explore waterfalls? Let’s immerse ourselves in their coolness and reflect on the academic insights Sakazaki shared.
Experiencing waterfalls in uniquely Japanese ways.
“Did you know that waterfalls have genders?” Sakazaki begins, immediately broaching the topic from an unexpected angle. “There are masculine waterfalls that are powerful and frightening, and feminine ones that are soft and delicate. Facing a majestic waterfalls that inspires awe can be humbling.” Sakazaki became fascinated with waterfalls because she wanted to get closer to their dynamic wonder and absorb their power.
Growing up with little nature, Sakazaki got her driver’s license at 18 and her encounter with a waterfall on a drive moved her deeply. Ensuing visits to various waterfalls revealed that each has a unique character—fierce, gentle, cool. She began viewing waterfalls as people and started traveling around Japan to find them.
“Healing is a major appeal of waterfalls, but there’s more. Japanese waterfalls embody traditions, culture, and folklore that we Japanese should cherish.
For example, Nachi Falls on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route in Wakayama, one of Japan’s three famous waterfalls, is considered sacred. A wild fire festival illustrating Japan’s unique relationship with waterfalls is held at the base of that waterfall.” Sakazaki also highlights the geological aspects: “Japan’s clustered volcanic plates cause tectonic shifts, creating level differences where rivers flow in places of heavy rainfall, creating waterfalls. Understanding the local geology and topography through waterfalls is fascinating.”
Which waterfall has left the biggest impression on you? “A few stand out, like Yasu Falls in Akita, with its grand drop of water from the heavens. Sadly, it’s now closed to visitors. I also love the waterfalls in the Kumano area of Wakayama, rich in spiritual significance with their Matagi hunters and ascetics. It’s this deep spirituality that draws me to them.”
Ready to explore waterfalls? Let’s immerse ourselves in their coolness and reflect on the academic insights Sakazaki shared.
g
h
i
j
k
g.大滝（山梨県）
h.吐竜の滝（山梨県）
i,j,k.那智の滝（和歌山県）
g
h
i
j
k
g.大滝（山梨県）
h.吐竜の滝（山梨県）
i,j,k.那智の滝（和歌山県）
坂崎絢子
Ayako Sakazaki
Subtle Flow（サトルフロウ）代表。
東京生まれ。2022年から山梨県北杜市在住。
日本全国の滝めぐり歴15年以上。
滝が持つ癒しパワーに注目し、滝から地球の平和を考える「WaterFall ＆ Peace」をテーマに、ライター、ガイドとして活動中。
滝そのものの美しさに魅せられるとともに、周辺地形や歴史的な背景、滝を扱う文学・アートまで、日本の「滝文化」に注目している。