Morning “Waterfall Clouds” Flowing Through 枝折峠

On November 6, I made my way to 枝折峠 in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture.

This was my fourth visit this year, but with the road closing for winter starting on November 9, it was likely my last chance of the season.
“I want to see this view one more time”—that feeling was what brought me back.

On weekends, many visitors arrive the night before and sleep in their cars, so the parking lot fills up quickly.
It’s not uncommon for even the roadside to be completely packed.
Because of this, I always drive up early in the morning with a bit of tension, wondering, “Will I be able to park today?”

That day was no exception—the parking lot was already full.
Still, I was lucky enough to find a small space along the roadside, and finally felt a sense of relief.

And then—

What awaited me beyond that point was a breathtaking scene that left me speechless.
Moisture gathered in the mountain valleys turns into vapor with the arrival of morning, then begins to flow with the wind.
That flow moves over the mountains like a waterfall—this is known as “waterfall clouds.”
Changing its expression moment by moment, the quiet yet steady movement is something you could watch endlessly without ever getting tired of it.

“I’m really glad I came back.”
It truly turned out to be a perfect day.

If this even slightly sparks your interest, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself at least once.
Seeing these clouds in the crisp morning air brings a kind of emotion that photos or videos simply cannot capture.

The video below is a time-lapse shot on an iPhone.