Another place to beat the heat, this time not too far from the castle. According to chronicles, a son of Emperor Jinmu (born 711 BCE) was sent to tour Hinokuni and, looking for a cool spot to wash his hands, found a spring which resulted in a delightful waterfall - hence, its name, Ochyouzu (お手水 - funky reading of that kanji). Its proximity to the sweltering castle later made it a favorite cooling-off spot for Kato Kiyomasa and the Hosokawa lords. The waterfall remains (go ahead - climb up the rocks and stand under it!), surrounded by a large park with a lake and a fishing pond called Ochyozu no Mori (お手水の森) which is stocked with ayu (鮎, trout). A simple bamboo rod (竿, sao) can be rented with bait, and the question is not catching a fish but how many: no catch-and-release is allowed; you catch it, you buy it. They’ll cook ’em there for you or you can have ’em cleaned for you and take ’em home. There is also a restaurant and a koi pond (buy some koi food and watch the lil’ rascals suck ’em up - it’s a great place for kids). A walk around the area on tree-shaded lanes (its solitude now sadly bisected by an elevated highway) will take you to several temples, most with spring-fed ponds and their own stories (one pictured below). A visit is a wonderful, full day adventure that will certainly beat the heat.