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| The police officers just crossed this bridge, and asked us to stop. Then they produced a clip-board and began to ask us questions. They wrote everything down: "O-nomae-wa?" (What's your name?) "O-shigoto-wa nan desu ka?" (What's your occupation?) Doko kara kimashita? (Where do you come from?) Before they could ask us anymore questions, I asked why we were being interrogated. They said that at the police box (koban) by the lake, they received dozens of phone calls from the tourists at the observation gallery at the bottom of the falls. The callers screamed for the officers to come quick for there were two men who were going to commit suicide. "Nani!? (What?)" Darren and I retorted. " Chigaimasu-yo! (That's so wrong!) We only came to take photographs. Plus, there were no fences or posted signs for us not to be there." One of the officers went to check. When he returned, he shook his head in shocked disbelief and confirmed what we said. They put the clip-board away and escorted us to the lake. As we walked, they told us the history of Kegon Waterfalls. In fact, this waterfall is one of the most infamous in Japan. They told us that this is where lovers commit suicide together. Why here? It all started from a day-time soap opera where two of the characters "jumped" from the top. Since then, it's become a hot spot. One last thing, before I left Japan I entered a Japanese speech contest for foreigners. I told them this story with my opinion on the issue of suicide (prevalent among teens and corporate executives.) To my utter bewilderment, I won the contest CLICK HERE. |
| Nikko |
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