Before crossing this short bridge, I want to take my time with the autumn mountains A late-October morning in Okuhida, taking in the mountains before crossing the bridge

On a late-October morning, I got out of the car in the car park at Kita Alps Viewpoint Park. I pulled my jacket closed over the light sweater I had on and decided to spend a little time looking at the mountains first. Autumn leaves still clung to the nearby slopes; beyond them rose rocky peaks. Out here, even autumn looks different from one mountain to the next.

I looked down the road beyond the bridge, then lifted my eyes back to the mountaintops. I knew the bridge was 150m long, but with all that scenery around me, the number alone didn’t help me picture its scale. The rocky mountains rose so high that the trees on the slopes looked tiny. I forgot all about getting back to the car for a while.

Back in my seat, I wrapped both hands around the wheel. Once I set off, I kept my eyes on the road ahead. I could see the railings on either side drawing closer as I moved forward. Remembering the mountain shapes I’d just been looking at, I drove straight across. It was only a short stretch, but crossing the bridge was what I’d come for, and that was enough to make me happy.

Next, I want to try hoba miso in Okuhida. I’ve still got a serving of miso grilled on a magnolia leaf to look forward to, with rice on the side. I didn’t realize how hungry I was while I was looking at the mountains, but as soon as I got back to the car, my stomach reminded me. I’m glad I’d left a little space in the day for lunch instead of packing it full of scenery.

At my next rest stop, I looked back through the photos I’d taken from the viewpoint. I thought I’d come away with photos of just the mountains, but the bridge leading to them had stayed with me, too. Having both memories—the view from the car park and the short stretch I drove myself—makes the scene in my photos feel a little closer now. Another place in Okuhida I’d love to drive again.