The trail to Hiryu Falls starts at a stony riverbank. Cross the narrow bridge over the shallow stream, and you're on the forest path. By the entrance stood a tall golden tree.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#autumnleaves #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

A backlit maple turning from green to red, covered in small black spots: a leaf spot fungus getting ready to spend the winter on the leaf. It rarely harms the tree itself.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#autumnleaves #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

A waterfall with a bridge right in front of it. That day there was only a thin line of water. I wonder what it's like to stand on that bridge when the falls are at their fullest.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Yasui Gorge, Kochi

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At last, Suisho-buchi. The water was so still that every stone on the bottom was clear, and the deeper it got, the richer the green. Like looking through a piece of crystal.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Suisho-buchi, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

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A small waterfall that looked different from the others: a few smaller stones sat in the gap between the rocks, so the water split and spread out in several directions.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#YasuiGorge #longexposure #larryphoto

On the way to Suisho-buchi, huge rocks sat in the stream, with small waterfalls in the gaps between them. The water here was emerald green too.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#YasuiGorge #longexposure #larryphoto

On the way out of the park, a red maple leaf lay on the moss of a stone step. One of its points was missing a piece, but it was still showing its last and most beautiful side.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#mapleleaf #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

Walking back through the cave, I looked up and saw two openings, one like a triangle, one like a sweet potato. Through them, autumn leaves on the trees outside.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Seriwari Cave, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

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Inside Seriwari Cave, a narrow gap between rocks, a corner of light came in from far below. I walked toward it, and outside was a clear, emerald-green pool in the stream.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Seriwari Cave, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#SeriwariCave #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

A little further on, we came to a tree with a strange shape. The stones under it seemed to be leading us toward some mysterious place... I couldn't wait to see where.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#YasuiGorge #Kochi #larryphoto

Huge layered rocks lie in the streambed, and the pools between the small falls are clear and green. That day, though, they were covered with fallen leaves, and not nearly as beautiful.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#YasuiGorge #Kochi #larryphoto

A tiny wooden arched bridge, a taikobashi. From above, it looks small and delicate. From below, crossing between two huge rocks, it looks much grander.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Taikobashi, Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

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Every time I see a waterfall, I can't help wanting to practise a slow shutter speed. Click! A silky white ribbon appeared between the rocks.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#longexposure #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

Looking through the fence at the maples further away, the leaves looked like stars on the branches. With a wide-aperture lens, the whole picture almost seemed to sparkle.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#autumnleaves #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

Walking down the path, I noticed the fallen leaves. The most special one was an orange-red maple leaf, like a flame among the dry brown ones. I had never seen one like it.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#autumnleaves #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

December 2, 2025. Our first stop in Yasui Gorge was Momiji Park.

The maples along the path were thin, and fallen leaves covered the stones. It felt quiet and lonely.

Captured on December 2, 2025 | Momiji Park, Yasui Gorge, Kochi

#YasuiGorge #autumnleaves #larryphoto