Mysteriously radiant Atera-blue

On the day one of our summer trip to Kiso, my husband and I left our home, Nara, at 6:00 a.m.

About six hours later, we were driving across the Atera Bridge leading to the Atera Gorge, Nagano.

The remnants of the forest railway & the sparkling water flowing through the granite rocks and boulders

When  we entered Okuwa Village, I was caught by the aqua-blue water of the Atera River which adjoins the Kiso River. No one except the local forestry officers was allowed to enter this gorge till the forest railway was abolished in 1965.



Atera Gorge runs about 15 kilometers covering variety of landscapes including falls, rapids, stunning rocks, and crystal-clear waters running through granite rocks.

We drove off and hiked  in the forest for waterfalls and to be bathed in the negative ions.  This suspension bride is a gateway to the forest adventure.

Kiso is noted for the Japanese Cypress.

There were a lot of steep steps to climb to reach the place where I took this photo of the waterfall. 

another suspension bridge in the forest



Leaving the forest, we walked along the road by the river.

 

The water is so clear that you can see the riverbed.

The white granites on the riverbed make the water shine transparent blue at the shallow places
and emerald green at the deeper places.

Be careful!

The water seems to have been less clear because of the early morning downpour of the day but I thought it still was radiant and beautiful.  It is said that the water restores its crystal clear Atera-blue on its own in two days even after torrential rain.