S P O T ／ SPOT-045

Yōrō Falls and the Legend of the Drunkard's Discovery

養老の滝と酔っ払い伝説ようろうのたきとよっぱらいでんせつ

In the early 8th century, according to a tale recorded in historical chronicles, a poor woodcutter discovered a waterfall in the mountains above what is now Yōrō whose water tasted of sake. He brought some home to his elderly father, who drank it and experienced remarkable rejuvenation. The Emperor Genshō, learning of this miraculous waterfall, changed the era name to "Yōrō" ("Aged Care") in 717 CE — an era name still attached to this town, this mountain, and this waterfall. The waterfall itself is genuine, attractive, and part of a well-developed nature park. The legend is magnificent. The proximity of the Yōrō Tenmei Aichi (Reversible Destiny Lofts), the Chinpin Castle, and this waterfall — all within a few kilometers of each other — creates a zone of concentrated absurdist logic unique in the Tōkai region, making Yōrō Town the single highest-density odd attraction per square kilometer in the region.