A drive to Washuzan Lookout A bridge across the sea, and a bite of something sweet

When I reached the second lookout at Washuzan, I could see the sea from the plaza beside the rest house. I was wearing a pale yellow short-sleeved blouse and denim, with a small plate of kibi dango I’d brought along. Beyond the wooden fence, islands lined up beneath the tall white towers of the Seto Ohashi Bridge. I’d come for the bridge, but I hadn’t expected the sea and islands to feel so vast.

I picked up one kibi dango with a short wooden toothpick and brought it to my mouth. It was soft and pleasantly chewy, with a sweetness that lingered. Kibi dango, an Okayama sweet, is made with glutinous rice, sugar, millet and starch syrup. The round piece I’d brought was just the right size to savour slowly in one bite. I was glad I could enjoy one while taking in a view like this.

After finishing my snack, I looked back out to sea. From the nearest tower, the bridge continued left towards the islands. I’d thought I’d be looking at one big bridge, but there were more towers beyond it, and the road carried on into the distance. From here, I could trace its path across the water. Seeing the bridge from here gave me a completely different view from the one I get inside the car, and it made me want to drive across it myself.

The islands around the bridge were all different shapes and sizes. The nearest was close enough for me to make out the trees, while the mountains in the distance were softened by a little haze. The name Washuzan is said to come from the mountain’s resemblance to an eagle with its wings spread. Looking out at the sea from the mountain, I couldn’t help wondering what the mountain looks like from the water. By the time I’d finished my snack, I’d found another view I wanted to see.

I had one more kibi dango from my plate, then looked back towards the Seto Ohashi Bridge. The drive from Kojima IC to the lookout takes about 10 minutes, so it’s easy to build a quick stop by the sea into a trip. If I remember the islands’ shapes and the direction the bridge runs from here, I might be able to make more sense of the view when I drive across it. I want to take my time with this summer afternoon and stay a little longer to take in the sea after my snack.