The Tatsudomari Line An afternoon looking back at the road I’d driven

Leaving Kodomari, I joined the coastal road, with the Sea of Japan stretching on beyond the window. I was planning to follow the Tatsudomari Line to Cape Tappi. I’d been looking forward to driving close to the sea, so I was glad I set out early. I caught a faint smell of salt on the breeze, and it felt like my summer drive had begun.

When I left the coast, the road began to curve toward the mountains. I turned the wheel through each bend, keeping my eyes on the next one as I climbed. I’d take my time with the view at the lookout. Before I even got there, I was already excited to look down at the sea I’d just driven beside.

I parked at the Chokandai Lookout car park and climbed the steps to the viewing area. I stopped as soon as the sea came into view. The water stretched to the horizon, and I could see the road curling back and forth along the mountainside in front of me. I wanted to trace its curves with my finger and figure out which bend I’d just driven around.

From beside the railing, the cars on the road looked tiny. Behind the wheel, I’d been focused on the curve right in front of me, but up here I could see how the road continued beyond it. I love having both parts of a trip: the time spent driving and the time spent getting out to take in the view. Even after I took a photo, I wanted to stay a little longer.

Let’s head to Cape Tappi next. But I keep thinking about the rockfish set meal I want to try in Kodomari, and it’s making me hungry. I’d love to taste the fish as both sashimi and a simmered dish. A drive along the sea, a view of it from the mountains, then a meal of local fish—that sounds like the perfect day.