A young boy named Yasu sets off on a hero's journey, beginning at the foot of Mount Fuji. He climbs up into the snow, and encounters the Kitsune, fascinating Fox Spirits from Japanese folklore.

They try to trick him, but Yasu deals with them well.

He falls asleep alone, high up in the forest under a zillion stars. He awakens the next day to find a wise old man in a jeweled robe serving him breakfast. The man advises Yasu about the nearby arched red bridge, or soribashi, which spans a deep chasm. He warns: "That is no ordinary bridge!"

Yasu learns the secret of how to walk on that bridge, and in a thought-provoking twist, he eventually accomplishes the purpose of his journey.

This intriguing story is set in Japan, accompanied by charming illustrations. It introduces children ages 3-10 to a few cultural elements as well as some philosophical ideas. It is a story to be read again and again.