A spring walk to Uzushio Roadside Station, with the bridge coming into view I couldn't stop looking beyond the trees before I even reached the roadside station

It was an early-May afternoon. I’d got out of the car and was walking to Uzushio Roadside Station. A low stone wall ran beside the footpath, and shadows fell across it from the trees above. I caught sight of something white beyond the bend to the right and looked up. Oh, that’s the main tower of the Ōnaruto Bridge. I could see it before we’d even reached the building, and I stopped in my tracks.

I shaded my eyes, and the shape of the tower came into focus. Diagonal beams crossed inside it, framing patches of blue sky. The bridge had been hidden by the trees, but from the bend I could see its line stretching far ahead. When I’d driven across, I’d been watching the road, so I was glad to get out and take my time tracing its shape.

My friend stopped too and asked, “Think we’ll get a better view up ahead?” The road bends, so some of the bridge is hidden behind the trees from here. I kept looking at the tower and suggested we head up to the rooftop viewpoint. I wanted to get to a place where we could see all the way across the strait.

A breeze caught the sleeves of my white blouse and stirred my hair. The footpath alternated between sun and shade, and branches cast shadows across its brick pattern. We hadn’t reached the building yet, but it already felt as if we were by the sea. I lowered my hand, felt the wind on my face and looked toward the path ahead.

My friend and I talked about choosing a burger after taking in the view. I’ve got my eye on the Onion Beef Burger, with an Awaji Island onion cutlet and beef stacked inside. Let’s see the strait from the rooftop first, then take a break. As we stood there, we worked out the order for our stops. Knowing there’s a bridge to take in and a burger I want to try makes me look forward to the rest of our stop.

I took one last look at the top of the main tower, then started walking again. I was glad I’d spotted that white shape even from the footpath surrounded by trees. Next, I want to see the bridge spanning the strait. It was a lovely little detour on a coastal drive. Before we’d even reached the station, I already had a view to remember.