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My second day on Mount Mitake began around 5am when I rose early to participate in a waterfall mediation ritual. The pilgrims inn owner and Shinto priest led me on a
hike through the forest back to the Ayahiro Waterfall.
The entire process involved in the waterfall meditation is alluringly mystical, with strict rules involved that
extend to the hike down to the waterfall. Such rules include no talking along the way. It is also advised to look forward throughout the hike, as looking back is considered not good
for the spirit.
After the half hour trek through the forest, we finally arrived at the waterfall and began to change into the traditional attire worn for the ritual which for men consists of little more than a loin cloth (women traditionally wear a white robe). Following a brief explanation, the priest gave a prayer to the gods and then led me in preparation of the meditation by doing some simple exercises and splashing myself with the river water to acclimatize my body.
Soon enough, it was my turn to meditate, so I stood under the waterfall and shouted a sacred chant between breaths in order to cleanse my body and spirit. This process was repeated as I entered the waterfall three times to make the meditation complete. The water was not too cold, but cold enough to make for an intensely refreshing and enjoyable experience. After changing back into my normal clothes, I was silently led back to the pilgrims inn
After arriving back, we went to the inn's shrine where the priest performed an atmospheric closing ritual in which he banged drums and chanted in sacred tongues to complete the
spiritual cleansing. Shortly thereafter I sat down for a breakfast of mackerel, locally sourced bamboo, pickles and miso soup.
The meal was particularly enjoyable after
such an exciting morning, and I relished the typically delicate flavors and soaked up the nice ambience of the inn. After breakfast it was time to leave this beautiful place, so I
checked out and sauntered back through town before boarding the cable car back down the mountain and towards central Tokyo.
From Shinjuku Station in central Tokyo, take a train on the JR Chuo/Ome Line to Ome Station, and then transfer to a local train to Mitake Station. With a good connection, this
journey takes around 80 minutes and costs around 1000 yen one way. Note that only a few trains per hour go directly from Shinjuku to Ome. Otherwise, take the JR Chuo Line to
Tachikawa, and then transfer to the JR Ome Line to Ome.
Mitake Station and the lower cable car station are connected via buses that depart once to twice hourly. The one
way journey takes seven minutes and costs around 300 yen.
