Driving to Gokanosho A November gorge, with another suspension bridge to look up at from the lower bridge

In early November, I stopped at Momigi’s suspension bridges in Gokanosho. After driving the mountain road, I got out of the car and stepped onto the wooden-plank bridge with my friend. The autumn leaves continued all the way to the far end, and I found myself slowing my pace almost as soon as I reached the entrance.

Shakunage Bridge, the lower of the two, is 59 m long. As I walked and looked left, I saw the river running between white rocks. I’d just driven up through the mountains; now I was crossing the gorge on foot. It felt surreal.

I clasped my hands in front of my navy coat against the breeze. Each time I got a closer look at the leaves, I wanted to stay just a little longer.

Looking up to my right, I spotted another bridge above the trees. Ayatori Bridge is the upper one, with Shakunage Bridge below; the pair are known as the “parent-and-child” suspension bridges. I said to my friend, “I wonder what it looks like from up there,” and suddenly I was looking forward to the next view, even though it was the same valley.

The bridges were once part of the route local residents used in their daily lives. As I walked to the far end of the wooden bridge, I thought about the people who used it before I came here to see the autumn leaves. It wasn’t just a beautiful view; this path connected everyday life in the mountains. I wanted to stop and take it in one more time before heading back.

At Yamame-so in Gokanosho, you can enjoy dishes made with yamame and seasonal mountain ingredients. Walking back across the bridge, I told my friend I wanted to stay overnight next time and take my time over a mountain meal. Before we’d even left, I was already planning a trip back that would be as much about the mountain food as the autumn leaves.