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

#SeriwariCave #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

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

#taikobashi #YasuiGorge #larryphoto

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

The sun has gone home. The mountains behind the city are clearer now than when the light was at its strongest. Lights are coming on across the city. The deck I stood on may not be there much longer.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Godaisan, Kochi

#kochi #bluehour #larryphoto

A little wind on the deck. The golden light still lay over the city, but it was drawing back. Kochi and I waited together for the sun to go down.

Twenty-five minutes, compressed into two.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Godaisan Observation Deck, Kochi

#kochi #sunset #larryphoto

A temporary wooden deck, standing in until the new one is built. From the top, the city lay under a layer of golden air, keeping quiet company with the last light of the day.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Godaisan Observation Deck, Kochi

#kochi #sunset #larryphoto

The stone here has worn down badly and on many of the Jizo the face is no longer clear. But the red caps and capes on the three larger ones are new, crocheted by hand. You can see the care in every stitch.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Chikurin-ji, Kochi

#kochi #jizo #larryphoto

Inside this small hall sits the Hitokoto Jizo. Hitokoto means "one word": you may only ask for one thing at a time. The rows of small wooden Jizo around him each stand for one person's one wish.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Hitokoto Jizo, Chikurin-ji

#kochi #jizo #larryphoto

A three-storey pagoda stood here until a typhoon brought it down in 1899. The one standing now was built in 1980. Walking up the steps, the maples were very close. I wondered whether they could feel my breath.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Chikurin-ji, Kochi

#kochi #larryphoto

He is Zenzai Doji, a boy who set out to find the way and visited fifty-three teachers on the road. Behind him the maple burned red. He stood in the middle of it, head lowered, hands together.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Chikurin-ji, Kochi

#kochi #japantemple #larryphoto

I had almost finished when I noticed the low afternoon light, so I walked back. It fell across the five coloured cloths, the wooden ema and the gold sign. You can see the pattern woven into the cloth.

Captured on Dec 1, 2025 | Chikurin-ji, Kochi

#kochi #japantemple #larryphoto