Kagami River in Summer
Originally uploaded by bink_d.

Here's the nearest swimming hole to the house, the Upper Kagami River at Tosayamamura. Water is high this year because of the prolonged rainy season, but there's a small gravel beach to put your stuff on and plenty of shade. The water is surprisingly cold and takes awhile to get used to. Ray seems more interested in catching minnows or crabs than swimming, but once you're wet, the summer heat evaporates. You can stand on the bank, look down the river and feel the cool breeze that blows down the valley.