The Okutama Loop Road I stopped for the spring greenery and couldn’t stop taking deep breaths

As I climbed the Okutama Loop Road, I kept my eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel. As each bend opened onto a brighter stretch, sunlight filtering through the leaves spilled into the car. When I pulled into Tsukiyomi Daiichi Car Park and switched off the engine, I suddenly noticed how quiet it was. The feel of the drive was still in my hands, so I didn’t get out right away.

When I opened the door and started walking, a wooden fence stretched beyond the green wheel stops. The breeze slipped through the sleeves of my white blouse, and I was glad I’d put on my vest. I stood beside the trees and opened my arms a little. I wanted to fill my lungs with air. I meant to take one deep breath, but then another, and another.

With my eyes closed, I focused on the breeze against my cheeks. When I opened them, I could see the sky through the new leaves. Even leaves I’d normally pass without noticing in town made me want to stop and study them today. I was only taking a break in a car park, yet the happiness of having driven all this way caught up with me.

From Tsukiyomi Daiichi Car Park, you can also see Lake Okutama and the surrounding mountains. I’d been facing the woods as I took my deep breaths. Then I turned around and took time to enjoy the view of the lake, too. When I’m driving, I can’t linger like this; now I could look as long as I liked at whichever mountain caught my eye. Stopping the car gives me time to really take in the view.

Before leaving, I looked at my red car at the far end of the car park and wanted to be back on the road. A moment earlier, I’d wanted to stay right where I was; even I found that funny. I took a deep breath, looked at the mountains, then headed back to the road. When I gripped the wheel and looked ahead again, I was smiling before I even reached the first bend.