A small pond halfway up Youkai Mountain.

The entrance might be near, but it is difficult to get to since it is in the middle of the mountain.

However, the water is said to hold divine powers, and is becoming an indispensable ingredient when performing Shinto rituals.

It is said that a toad large enough to swallow a human child whole lives in the pond, and that it protects the pond from those that try to desecrate it.

The giant toad won't be aggressive unless you desecrate the pond, and if you just leave an offering behind, you are said to be guaranteed a safe return trip (*1).

The lotus flowers in the pond are beautiful, and lotus leaves and flowers floating on the surface lit by sunbeams filtered through the surrounding foliage further emphasize the mysteriousness of the pond.

A tiny shrine is built near the pond.

Who built it, when it was built and for what purpose are all already forgotten, but there are certainly humans that leave offerings at the shrine.

Seeing that offerings will immediately disappear, it is clear that something is enshrined there (*2).

1: If you look closely, you'll see that on your way back you will be followed from behind by common toads. Being followed by toads is a sign of being protected by the big toad, so the mountain's youkai won't lay a finger on you either.

2: However, there is also a rumor that the offerings are taken by tengu.