Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture
Driving to Mizushima Observatory White Peaches and Factory Lights on a Summer Night
Mizushima Observatory is a night-view spot along Washuzan Park Line (the former Washuzan Skyline). After parking, step out to the lookout for views of the industrial complex and bay below.
Let’s head out after sunset on a July evening to see the factory lights. This time, I’ll spend a summer night taking them in as I eat a white peach I brought along.
SummerJuly · Around 8:30 pm
A bite of peach, a light at a time
There was still a bit of the white peach I’d brought along for our evening drive. On the way to Mizushima Observatory with my friend, I decided to enjoy it while we took in the night view. With the cup of bite-sized peach pieces in hand, I got out of the car.
Around 8:30 pm, factory lights stretched far into the distance. From up on the mountain, I could make out the clusters of industrial facilities and the bay below. It felt different from looking out over a town full of lit windows; here, I was taking in one vast industrial district.
My friend pointed toward the sea. Lights shimmered on the water too, and my gaze moved from the factories above to the bay below. Before taking a photo, I wanted to see for myself just how far the view stretched.
It smelled faintly sweet as I lifted a piece of white peach with my little pick. One bite, then another. I kept my lightweight shirt on and paused between bites to look at the lights. Even though I was only standing there for a break, I could hardly bring myself to get back in the car.
The Washuzan Park Line, which we’d been driving along, runs about 18.5 km from Shimotsui Tanoura to Hiroe. There’s something about a stop like this, in the middle of a drive, that makes me want to stretch the night out a little longer.
After putting the cup away, my friend and I took one last photo. We talked about which lights to put in the center of the next shot. Today’s snack was white peach; today’s destination was this night view. Once we’d had both, we headed home.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Okayama white peaches
Different varieties of Okayama white peach come into season at different times over the summer. I used my little pick to lift a piece of the peach I’d brought, then took a bite and turned back to the factory lights. I was already looking forward to the next bite, but my eyes kept drifting back to the night view.
Highlights
Night views across the industrial complex
From the lookout, you can take in the factory lights, the bay, and the distant mountain ridges—and see just how far the industrial complex stretches. I kept stopping between bites of white peach to look at the lights, and found I couldn’t bring myself to go back to the car.
A drive with time to get out and look
Take a break at the lookout along the former Washuzan Skyline. Step out of the car and take your time looking across the bay.
White peach for a summer snack
I want to bring Okayama white peaches along as a road-trip snack. I’ll make time to take in the night view once more after my snack.
Road details
Washuzan Park Line (formerly the Washuzan Skyline)
- Total route length
- About 18.5 km
- Prefectural route number
- No. 393
The route runs from Shimotsui Tanoura to Hiroe. Stop at Mizushima Observatory along the way for a view of the factory lights at night.
The full route length and prefectural road number are listed in Kurashiki City’s official tourism information. About 18.5 km is the length of the entire route.
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