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"Daimyojin Waterfall" Tour in winter
(Sugadaira Montane Research Center: 2010.02.21)
A tour to "Daimyojin Waterfall" was organized for the general public under cold weather conditions in the Sugadaira Montane Research Center on February 21‚ 2010.
The Daimyojin Waterfall‚ with a height of 10 meters‚ is located in the premises of the center. The waterfall starts freezing in late October and stays frozen until the beginning of March due to cold weather conditions in the Sugadaira Highland. The waterfall is normally closed to the public as it is located in the experimental area and inaccessible place.
On October 4‚ 2009‚ "Sugadaira Montane Research Center Open House" was held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the centers foundation. The first tour to the waterfall was also held on this day and many requested to hold a tour to the frozen Daimyojin Waterfall.
The staff responded enthusiastically and planned a nature observation tour‚ possible only during this season. The nature observation tour was also carried out on the way to the waterfall. The participants conducted animal tracking‚ which is to follow the wild animals footprints left behind in the snow and to observe their wildlife and nest.
80 people from Ueda City and its surrounding cities and villages‚ Saitama‚ and Kanagawa participated in the tour. Blessed with fine weather‚ it was a perfect day for the tour. The tour was conducted at 9:00‚ 11:00‚ and 13:00. A group made up of 30 participants walked in a line to the waterfall under the guidance of Associate Professor Ryuichiro Machida and Assistant Professor Yosuke Degawa of the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the staff of the center. The participants received explanations about the nature on the way to the waterfall from them.
On the way to the waterfall‚ footprints of antelope‚ mouse‚ rabbit‚ martes‚ fox‚ and squirrel could be found. The participants seemed to enjoy the animal tracking. Some of the participants happened to see squirrels going up trees. When participants reached the waterfall‚ they were excited at the sight. It was covered with thick blue and milky white ice. A participant commented‚ "I'm glad to be here. I've never imagined that the Daimyojin Waterfall was so breathtaking in winter." Some participants took photos and others relaxed by the frozen waterfall.
The questionnaire conducted after the event shows that the tour was a success. Participants' comments varied from‚ "We could spend a productive day thanks to the explanations by the staff"‚ "We hope this kind of event will be held throughout the year." to comments like‚ "The number of participants was too large."‚ "We wish we could have asked more questions."
The Sugadaira Montane Research Center is going to continue to hold this kind of attractive events based on the experiences and opinions received from the participants.
Professor Machida (right) answering questions from the staff of the Shinano Mainichi Shimbun and Ueda Cable TV
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