Taking in the autumn mountains at Tokachidake Bōgakudai Viewpoint Autumn foliage and rocky ridges beyond the car park

On an October day when I headed for the mountains from Biei, I took my red four-wheel-drive sedan. Clouds spread across the sky, and autumn trees lined the road beyond the windows. Keeping my eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel, I drove to the Tokachidake Bōgakudai car park. I parked in a standard space on the upper level, and beyond the car park I could see the mountain ridgeline. Even after I switched off the engine, I kept looking through the window.

With both hands in my jacket pockets, I stood beside the car and felt just how vast the mountains were. Beyond the pavement were trees turning for autumn; above them, mountain ridges marked by bands of exposed rock. It was a different landscape from the hills I'd been exploring, yet here the scenery kept unfolding. I'd come hoping to visit lots of places, but now I wanted to stay in this car park and look for a good long while.

At my feet, a flight of steps connected the levels of the car park. I followed the edge of the grassy area, then lifted my eyes to the trees beyond. Comparing the straight lines nearby with the craggy shapes of the distant mountains made their scale sink in even more. I kept both hands in my pockets. I wanted to enjoy the view by letting my eyes wander from where I stood, rather than setting off on a walk.

The slopes below Bōgakudai are full of autumn foliage, especially dwarf pines and white birches. I'd look at one tree, then the next beyond it, then the mountains. As I took in more of the view, I began to notice layers I hadn't been able to make out from that first glimpse through the window. Before taking any photos, I wanted to take the whole scene in with my own eyes.

The wind slipped into my jacket collar, and I hunched my shoulders a little. Even as I told myself it was time to head back to the car, I wanted one more look at the ridge. Today was for taking in the mountains from the car park before driving back to town the way I'd come. I thought I'd be looking forward to a warm bowl of udon, but the mountains in front of me were so hard to leave that I stopped again just as I was about to reach the car door.

Back in town, I tried Biei Curry Udon. I blew on the noodles before taking a bite; the warmth spread through my mouth, and my shoulders finally relaxed. I hear the udon is made with wheat grown in Biei. I took a sip of the Biei milk that came with it and thought back to the mountain ridge. The autumn mountains I'd admired and the warm meal back in town both made me glad I'd come here today.