under the bridge

Shirakawa-go, Gifu

#rivers
#japan

weather: blue sky, big clouds
mood: smug
terrain: river stones
soundtrack: water over rocks

everyone else was on the bridge, heading over to see the old thatched farmhouses. i went under it.

there's always a way down to the water if you look for it. this one involved a steep bit and a rock i'm pretty sure wasn't meant to be stepped on.

A wide, shallow river full of round grey stones, running between forested hills under a concrete footbridge on a sunny afternoon. — the view from where you're not supposed to stand.

the river was low and clear and full of round grey stones, and the cliffs on the far side went pink in the late sun. i sat on the warm rocks with my feet in the water until it got cold.

i did go and see the farmhouses afterwards. the roofs are thatch, steep as anything, built so the snow slides right off. i asked if anyone had ever climbed one. the answer was no, and also please don't.