natgeotravel | INSTAGRAM | JUN 15

Photo by @JohnStanmeyer Sacred Water ~ Deep in prayer, embraced in water, a Shinto Misogi ceremony under the Nanayo no Taki waterfall, cascading down from Mount Mitake. This sacred waterfall is located in a remote mountain side outside of Tokyo around 1.5 kilometers from the Musashi Mitake Jinja Shrine. This ceremony is often revisited in my mind's eye. When working on the @natgeo #SacredWater story, a winding, 30 minute walk along an enchanting forest trail lead to sounds of rushing waters. At first sight, it appeared magical, evolving further into a beautiful, mystically spiritual event as one by one each person, in reverence, only donning sashes, entered the chilling water, falling immensely into prayer. Be sure to follow my #snapchat account, @stanmeyer, where today I host, Coffee Talk Wednesday, answering your questions on photography, working for National Geographic, coffee, life. All my best, @JohnStanmeyer @natgeocreative @thephotosociety @natgeotravel #japan #NanayonoTakiwaterfall #NanayonoTaki #MountMitake #MusashiMitakeJinjaShrine #MusashiMitakeJinja #Shinto #religion #faith #spiritual #spirituality #waterfall #sacred #water #prayer