A drive to Daisen Masumizu Highland Mount Daisen seemed even bigger once I stepped out of the car

I arrived at Masumizu Highland in the morning and stepped out of the car. The breeze slipped through the sleeves of my white blouse, and the hem of my long skirt swayed. I looked up from beside the walkway, and Mount Daisen filled my view. I’d been watching it through the driver’s-side window, but standing outside made the summit seem so much higher.

The sunlight was bright, so I raised a hand to my forehead to shade my eyes. Tracing the outline of the summit from one end to the other, I could make out little ridges and dips along the smooth slope. I’d arrived with only the mountain’s distant silhouette in mind, but here I found myself noticing every little contour. I lowered my hand, raised it again, and kept taking another look.

After a short walk along the path, the trees framed the mountain differently. It looked one way above the rooftops and another through the trees. It was the same Mount Daisen, but even a few steps made me want a different photo. I stopped and raised my phone, then laughed when I spotted my own shadow in the shot, hand still shading my eyes.

There’s also the Tenku Lift, which takes you up to the observatory. From there, you can look out over the Sea of Japan and Yumigahama. I’m looking up at the mountain right now, and from up there I could be looking down at the sea. I came for the mountain, but now I can’t stop thinking about the view waiting even higher up.

Even after my walk, I wasn’t ready to leave the mountain. I like the idea of a little detour to nearby Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato for soft serve. Just imagining another look at Mount Daisen after a sweet bite has me looking forward to the drive back. Before getting in the car, I shaded my eyes one last time and took in the morning summit again.