Usui Pass (Megane Bridge and Old National Route 18) I spent longer admiring the autumn leaves than crossing the bridge

When I looked up at Megane Bridge from below, it was so much bigger than I’d imagined that my mouth fell open. I knew you could walk over the brick arches, but I still couldn’t quite believe there was a path so high above me. I took in the mountains in early November as I headed up to the bridge.

At the top, I found myself standing right on the arches I’d been looking up at from below. A moment ago, I’d been gazing up at them; now I was looking down into the valley. I rested a hand on the railing and looked out at the mountains, stretching away in autumn colour. My astonishment at the bridge itself turned into sheer wonder at the view.

I meant to keep walking, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the view. I finally set off, only to stop again. I’d come to cross the bridge, but I didn’t want to reach the other side just yet. I may have spent more time looking than walking.

I let go of the railing and looked ahead along the path. Remembering that the bridge was built in Meiji 25, I could picture the brickwork I’d looked up at earlier. I was standing on a bridge built so long ago, looking at today’s autumn leaves. That thought suddenly made me happy, and I took another slow step.

After walking a little farther, I looked back towards the valley again. My friend would probably have laughed and said, “You’re still here?” Yeah, she probably would have. But I didn’t want to rush this view. I rested my hand on the railing again and let my eyes wander over the mountains.

On the way back, I looked up at the bridge from below again and wanted to find the spot where I’d been standing. The bridge that had first amazed me with its size was now also where I’d stopped to watch the autumn leaves. What I remember most about my detour to Usui Pass isn’t that I made it across, but how much I didn’t want it to end.