Lake Kuzuryu and Dream Bridge Across a suspension bridge, driving between lake and mountains in autumn

At the end of Dream Bridge, the road continued out over the lake. I’d been driving along the shore; now I’d cross the water. As the bridge towers approached, even the feeling of both hands on the wheel became a little clearer.

My eyes stayed on the road ahead. Passing between the towers, autumn air entered the open car. Even on a short bridge, there’s a moment when the lakeside road becomes a crossing, and I was glad I got to drive across it myself.

After crossing, the scenery slowly returned to my mind. Mountains surrounding the lake were turning colour, with the suspension bridge among them. It leaves me with a different memory than if I’d stopped to take in the view.

Learning that this bridge was built as a prototype for the Great Seto Bridge changed how its name felt to me. A mountain lake held a story connected to a great bridge across the sea. I had another thing to tell my driving friend when we met.

If I came with her, I’d like to add a break looking over the lake too. Lake Kuzuryu was created by a dam, but seeing it with the surrounding mountains made me curious about its scale. Perhaps next time I’d leave the car and look from somewhere else.

For lunch, I’d choose Kuzuryu maitake tempura. Enjoying a taste of Izumi, the district where the lake lies, might make the place I’d driven through today even more memorable. Still carrying the feeling of the crossing, I headed for the next stop.