Exploring Maruo Falls Steam rising over the falls and a hot spring egg

As I got closer to Maruo Falls, the sound of the water grew louder with every step. From beside the wooden pavilion, I could see the water plunging down with force as steam drifted over the surface below. It was a January afternoon, and a dusting of snow still clung to the trees and rocks. Seeing steam rise in the cold air made it sink in that I was somewhere with hot springs.

I drew my cream-colored coat close and watched the falls from inside the railing. The water looked white as it plunged, and below it I could see pale, milky-blue water. I learned that the falls are fed by hot spring water from Einoo Onsen and Iōdani Onsen. The thought of hot spring water pouring down from that height caught me off guard in a way the sound alone hadn't.

In my hand was a hot spring egg I'd bought at Kirishima Onsen Market. I brought it wrapped in paper, peeled off the shell, and held the egg near my mouth. I was so eager to eat it that I moved the egg toward my mouth before thinking, but first I blew gently on the egg to cool it. The steam rising in front of me while I tried to cool the egg made me laugh; the two scenes looked so alike.

I took a bite, and the egg's gentle flavor spread through my mouth. At the market, eggs and vegetables are steamed with hot spring vapor. I was watching the area's hot spring water tumble over the falls, while steam from those same springs had cooked the egg in my hand. It was an everyday egg, the kind I eat all the time, but today I wanted to take my time over the next bite too.

Even after finishing the egg, I stayed a little longer to watch the falls. Whenever the steam drifted low, the water behind it came in and out of view. The roar of the waterfall never let up, and I quietly followed every change. I tucked my hands into my coat sleeves, but I still wasn't ready to leave.

I heard there's a footbath at the market, too. Next time, I want to stop there for a breather and try some of the other steamed treats. The day I'd come to see the falls had turned into a trip to enjoy the hot springs and their food, too. I looked up at the falls one more time, and their familiar roar made my heart leap all over again.