Daiichi Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint Watching the train cross the snowy river, right to the end

Beyond the snow-covered trees, I saw the Tadami River and an arch bridge. The bridge was reflected in the water, so I kept shifting my gaze between the bridge above and its reflection below. It was beautiful from every angle, and I couldn’t decide which view to capture first.

Before taking a photo, I wanted to stay there and look a little longer. The river ran between the mountains, with the bridge nestled in the landscape beyond. I think I like taking in the whole landscape better than looking at the bridge alone. Just then, I noticed a tiny movement at one end of the bridge.

Oh, a train! I blurted, and realized I was pointing toward the bridge. A 2-car train was making its way across. I wanted a better look so badly that I found myself on tiptoe, but taking my eyes off it felt like a waste, so I just stood there watching.

Until then, the view had been perfectly still. The train moved through its center. Even though it looked tiny, I could always tell where it was. When it reached the far end of the bridge, I found myself wishing it wouldn’t be over yet. I wondered whether the passengers could see this same view through their windows.

Once the train had crossed, I lowered my pointing hand. I’d wanted to wave, too, but I was so intent on seeing it all the way across that I never did. I took a breath and looked at the river again. The bridge and snowy mountains were reflected there, as if the train had been lifted out of the scene.

I decided to watch a little longer before heading back. I wanted to remember the quiet view before the train came, and the little rush of excitement when it appeared. I’d come to see the winter river, but even the train’s brief crossing became a memory I wanted to keep. Before I left, I looked back at the bridge once more.