Split an Oyaki, Then Take One More Look at the Rocky Ridge An autumn afternoon between Kinasa and Togakushi, with views of Nishidake and the Northern Alps

After picking out some oyaki in Kinasa, I drove my red car to Daibō Pass. When I parked and stepped out, the mountain straight ahead looked much more rugged than I’d expected. I’d thought I’d just take a quick break partway over the pass, but the view made me want to set the oyaki down and take it all in before eating.

Beyond the white railing, a rocky ridge ran off into the distance. So this is what Nishidake in the Togakushi Range looks like. I shifted my gaze from the wooded slope to the rocky ridge, and the contrast in their shapes really stood out. As I looked toward the distant peaks on my left, I wanted to move a little and take in the view again from a different spot.

I held the paper-wrapped oyaki in both hands and split it open. Seeing the vegetables inside reminded me how hungry I was, more than the browned crust alone had. I looked away from the mountain for a moment and took a bite. Its round shape was just right for nibbling while I took in the view.

The car was behind me, and there was a bench beside the railing. It felt good to be able to linger there before deciding which way to head back. I lowered the hand holding my oyaki and looked at the mountain again; this time, the fine shadows in the rock caught my attention. The trees nearby were starting to show signs of autumn. I’d come for the mountains, but I felt I’d go home remembering the autumn around me, too.

As I folded up the paper from my oyaki, I found myself thinking I’d come back to try a different filling. Somehow, the shop in Kinasa and this lookout felt like two stops along the same road. Before getting back into the car, I took one more look at the rocky ridge and nodded to myself. “Today’s rest stop turned into the destination,” I thought.