I walked along the Sagami River in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The Sagami River at dusk reflected the moment when heaven and earth melted into one another. As the sun set and the sky turned a deep red, the surface of the river shone as if it had been spread out in a cloth of gold. The water flows slowly, and the clouds reflected on its surface quietly change shape without resisting the flow of time. Every time the wind blew gently, the ripples of the river shattered the light of the setting sun, creating countless sparkles like shimmering jewels.
The ridgeline of a large mountain towering on the opposite bank glows red in the afterglow of the sun, casting a long shadow on the river surface. Eventually, the light fades little by little, and the mountain quietly melts into the darkness of the night. The boundary between the river and the sky becomes blurred, and the mist that wraps around the mountainside slowly rises, covering the atmosphere like a purplish veil. A flock of birds crosses the sky, and the flapping of their wings resonates as vibrations in the air.
There was a fisherman on the bank of the river. Grabbing the rod in silence, I quietly gazed at the water's surface with the setting sun behind me. A fish splashes in the distance, creating small ripples. Although I couldn't see the angler's face, there was a calmness that only someone who has spent a long time in this stream can have behind him. A small light swayed beside him, riding the wind and slowly blurring onto the surface of the river.
The area gradually became quiet, and the Sagami River was about to swallow up another day. Only the murmuring of the river and the rustle of pampas grass carried by the wind echoed as if they were proof of the lives of those living in this place. This is not just a place where water flows. The ""River of Life"" has supported people's lives and spun life for thousands of years. Even now, this flow continues to pass quietly, without change.
The Sagami River is a first-class river with a total length of 113 km, originating from Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture and flowing through the center of Kanagawa Prefecture to Sagami Bay. The water forms a rich stream that includes underground water from Mt. Fuji, and continues to bless the land along the river. This river, also known as the ``Ayu River'' since ancient times, is known for its swarms of sweetfish, which only live in clear waters, and has been a part of human life since the Heian period.
This flow is not only beautiful as a landscape. Approximately 60% of Kanagawa Prefecture's tap water is supplied from this river, supporting the daily lives of millions of people. When you think that the source of every drop of water that people casually drink is somewhere in the Sagami River, the preciousness of that flow resonates even more deeply in your heart.
The Sagami River always takes on a different look during the four seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms dance in the wind, creating rafts of flowers on the river surface. In summer, the lush greenery reflects on the water and plays a cool sound. In autumn, the autumn leaves turn fiery colors, and the river quietly reflects them. Then, in winter, fog creeps over the surface of the river, and the area is enveloped in a mystical silence.
When I stand in front of this river, I feel time passing slowly. What you see is the play of water and light, and what you hear is the sound of wind and streams. Countless people once stood here and gazed at the same scenery. Their lives must have been quietly carved into this land along with the flow of the river.
Through this virtual walk, we hope that you will feel the beauty of this tranquility and the deep history and charm of the Sagami River to the depths of your heart.
■Photography date
2024/12/2
■How to get there
5 minutes walk from JR Shimonomizo Station in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TeB4moBQ987pXftcA
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■Playlist
travel alone
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhY2oW_i6g73opiShyFi4BXb-sWFIXqkO
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■Photography tools
Osmo Pocket3 DJI
DSC-RX100M3 SONY
*Shot in 4k60p HLG HDR.
*Google Translate is used to translate subtitles for each country.
■Chapter list
00:00 1.Opening
03:46 .Hakkei no Shelf
07:20 . Sandan Falls Observation Deck
■Hashtag
#japantravel#sagamiriver#japanwalk#kanagawa#japantrip#japan