Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture
Oide Suspension Bridge Beyond the cherry blossoms, the mountains were still snow-covered
I drew the cardigan hanging from my arm close to my chest and watched the mountains from the lookout. It was spring beneath my feet, but snow still lingered on the distant mountains. I won't forget standing there and seeing that contrast for myself.
Come read about the view during cherry blossom season and the time I spent at the lookout.
SpringLate April–early May
Beyond the cherry blossoms, the mountains were still snow-covered
The blossoms were out along the river, but snow still clung to the mountains. That was the first thing I couldn't look away from when I arrived at Oide Park in spring. I'd meant to admire the flowers, but the moment I lifted my eyes, my gaze travelled all the way to the mountains beyond.
From the lookout, I could see Himekawa River curve gently away from me and run toward the suspension bridge. The breeze brushed my shoulders through my mint top, and I drew the cardigan hanging from my arm close to my chest. The mountains stood out sharply against the clear sky. I stayed there for a while, listening to the river.
The bridge looked farther away than I expected. The thatched-roof house beside it and the trees along the river seemed small, while the mountains beyond seemed huge. Whenever I tried to frame just the bridge, I couldn't bear to crop out the mountains; when I pointed my camera at the mountains, I wanted the river in the shot too. It was hard to separate the view into pieces here.
When the cherry blossoms swayed in the breeze, my eyes drifted back to the riverbank. I'd been looking so much at the snow on the mountains that now I could really see how delicate the flowers were up close. It wasn't winter and spring meeting in one spot; the seasons were unfolding at different paces in the distance and right in front of me. The more I looked, the more fascinating that felt.
I readjusted the cardigan and slowly traced the view once more, from the bend in the river up to the mountain peaks. I couldn't bring myself to leave right after taking my photos; the view on the screen just wasn't the same as seeing it with the breeze on my skin. I wished I could take the sound of the river home with me.
After the walk, a loaf of yeast-raised bread from Hakuba would make a lovely snack for the road. Looking at those mountains, I started wondering what I'd eat next time—and found one more reason to come back. For now, I wanted to hold onto the memory of this spring with its cherry blossoms and snow together.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Hakuba's yeast-raised bread
In Hakuba, there's a bakery called “koubo-nikki” that makes yeast-raised bread. After taking in the mountains and river, it sounds lovely to pick up a little treat for the road. I've added it to my list of things to try next time I'm in Hakuba.
Highlights
A view framed by Himekawa River and the suspension bridge
With Hakuba's mountains behind it, this spot brings together a clear river, a suspension bridge, and a traditional house. I found myself taking in the little bridge and the vast mountains together, wanting to get a sense of the distance between them.
Spring blossoms and lingering snow
Cherry blossoms are one of the joys of spring at Oide Park. Looking back and forth between the nearby flowers and the mountains in the distance gave me a sense of just how expansive spring feels in Hakuba.
Road info
Road to Oide Park
At Oide Park in Hokujo, Hakuba Village, you can enjoy the view from the lookout on foot.
This is a lovely place to pause and stretch your legs after arriving by car. At the lookout, I took my time enjoying the sound of the river and the outline of the mountains.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
