Kimino and Aridagawa, Wakayama Prefecture
November at Oishi Plateau: Morning Light on the Silver Grass A jar of honey to remember my walk through the meadow
When morning light catches the silver grass, each step brings a different part of the meadow into the light. I want to take my time watching that change at Oishi Plateau in November. I’ll bring home a jar of local honey for breakfast the next morning.
One morning in early November, I chose a souvenir at Yama no Ie Oishi, then went for a walk through the silver grass.
AutumnA morning in early November
A jar of honey held up to the light on a path through the swaying silver grass
One morning in early November, my friend and I came to Oishi Plateau. We parked and went straight to Yama no Ie Oishi, which had just opened for the day. When we stepped outside with a jar of honey to take home, morning light was falling on the silver grass.
I pulled the sleeves of my cream-colored sweater down and tucked my scarf close around my neck. As we started along the path, the silver grass all leaned the same way in the breeze. My friend stopped ahead, so I came to stand beside her. The view stretched from the path all the way to the mountain ridge, and I wanted to keep taking it in.
I cupped the jar of honey in both hands. The light came through the glass, making the honey inside glow. “Maybe I’ll drizzle this over toast when I get home,” I said. “I’m having mine with yogurt,” my friend replied. We had the same souvenir, but we were already thinking up completely different breakfasts for the next morning.
I slipped the jar back into its bag and walked to where the path branched. To my right was a covered rest area; a little farther on, I could see a small, wooded hill. Even with the wide-open view across the plateau, it was comforting to spot the path we’d take back. I wandered a little farther toward the rest area.
We slowly retraced our steps. The silver grass plumes I’d seen earlier caught the light from the side and looked almost translucent. I let the conversation with my friend pause for a moment and listened to the wind as it moved through the grass. I loved having a moment to stand there, with one mountain ridge layered behind another in the distance.
Back at the car, I set the bag with the honey beside my seat. Thinking of the grassland I’d walked through that morning, I picked “ROUTE 1 - ASHINOKO” before we set off. I hoped I’d remember that morning’s silver grass when I drizzled the honey over my toast the next morning.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialties to try
Local honey
You can pick up local produce and honey at Yama no Ie Oishi. I’d love to take home a small jar as a souvenir and have it ready for the next morning’s toast.
Highlights
A silver grass meadow near the summit
Oishi Plateau is a prefectural nature park spanning Kimino and Aridagawa. I’d love to walk its paths and take in the swaying silver grass with the mountains in the distance.
Silver grass in the morning light
In November, the grassland glows gold in the morning or evening sun. Even on the walk back along the same path, I want to watch how the light falls on the grass.
Road and walking routes
Route to Oishi Plateau from Arida IC and Arida-Minami IC
- Drive time
- About 45 minutes by car
- Summit elevation
- 870 m (summit)
The Arida-side route leads to the plateau car park. I’d like to set aside some time to walk the silver grass path after getting out of the car.
From the Kimino side, the route to the plateau follows a town road beginning just before Ogawa Hachiman Shrine. I’d love to make a drive on the Arida side part of the trip, too.
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