Shizuoka Prefecture - Group Tour: Day 2 (part 1)

 It's day 2 and things are about to get exciting! We're going to start the day by visiting the Sumatakyo Gorge and we'll walk across the Yume no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge.

To get to the gorge we have to walk through this tunnel.

On the other side of the tunnel it's not long before we get our first look at the gorge and the suspension bridge

As we get closer to the bridge it's plain to see that crossing it will be kind of scary.

I asked Emi if she was ready to cross? She shook her head no, but said yes.

Only 10 people can be on the bridge at one time. So, before starting we had to count how many people were on it. I went first.

Damn! This really is scary! The bridge sort of swings from side to side and the foot path is very narrow.

Don't look down! Oops, too late.

The color of the river water is magnificent. 

The bridge is one way only. Once you start you can't change your mind and go back. Here comes Emi.

Good job Emi! She said she never wants to do it again. 

Since the bridge is one-way only we are forced to continue moving forward on the trail. That means that we have to go straight up for 300 steps to get to the observation point lookout. 

After going up 300 steps we are rewarded with this view of the bridge.

Now it's a long but easy walk back to the tour bus parking lot.

The trail takes us to the Hiryu-Bashi Bridge where we cross back over the Sumatakyo gorge and get another look at the Yume no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge in the distance.

Emi insisted on taking a picture of me.

The road back is long but very easy to walk.

Going back through the tunnel.

Natural spring water by the side of the road is free, safe to drink and delicious. 

One nice thing about Japan is that wherever you go there's always a clean public restroom. 

After passing the rest room it wasn't long before we arrived at the tour bus parking lot. 

Next in part 2 of day 2 we're going to the Oigawa Railway's Okuōikojō Train Station.

Here's a sneak peek at the train station. It's down there on the small peninsula on the Sesso lake.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike