Halfway across the Tatara Bridge, there are wooden clappers that you're supposed to slam together, like the musicians in a Japanese theater performance - or the watchmen in traditional Japanese districts who still patrol the neighborhoods late at night warning people to make sure they've put out their fires for the night. Here, there's no particular cultural significance: it just echoes nicely. (This spot is called "Tatara no Nakiryu," the latter name apparently derived from the Toshogu temple in Nikko where there is a similar echo phenomenon.) The sign in the photo asks you not to try to steal the clappers and warns you that they're monitored by a security camera.

Near one of the bridge exits, you come on a surprising sight: an SDF (Self-Defense Force) helicopter. If this were a James Bond movie, it would be used to escape from the bad guys... but I'm sure it's in no condition to travel. I can't stress strongly enough how important it is that you plan to do this trip in good weather: it will improve the experience immeasurably to do it on a day as beautiful as this one.