Hi everyone! This is a very niche question so I hope a) it’s allowed by the mods, and b) someone has some insight. Anyway, to get down to it: my partner and I are traveling to Japan at the end of summer, and they are a huge bridge nerd and enthusiast. I want to include bridges in our itinerary because I love seeing them geek out about bridges!
We will be in Japan for about 2.5 weeks and spending time in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. I’ve done some Googling and have found the bridges listed below. Now, I’m coming to Reddit in the hopes of learning:
1. Are there any bridges I’m missing? Like small historical bridges (horibashi) in parks?
2. Are there any particularly good places to see these bridges? Or are any of them inaccessible to pedestrians? (I will continue to Google this myself but would appreciate any input!)
3. Are there any particularly romantic bridges? (I’m thinking about maybe proposing on a bridge while we’re in Japan but shhhh!!)
​
**Tokyo bridges:**
* Rainbow Bridge
* Nijubashi Bridge
* Nihonbashi
* Engetsukyō Bridge
* Seimon Ishibashi
* Eitai Bridge
* Hijiri-bashi Bridge
* Kiyosu-bashi Bridge
* Kachidoki Bridge
* Goshikizakura Bridge
* Tokyo Gate Bridge
​
**Kyoto bridges:**
* Biwako Ohashi Bridge (& Observatory)
* Nagare-bashi Bridge (Kōzuya Bridge)
​
**Osaka bridges:**
* Minato Bridge
* Yamatogawa Bridge
* Tempozan Bridge
* Shin-Kizugawa Bridge
* Konohana Bridge
* Yumemai Bridge
* Chitose Bridge
​
**Misc. bridges:**
* Mishima Sky Walk
41 comments
I’m not sure what your partner specifically likes about bridges, but maybe the Sorihashi bridge in Osaka? It is a part of Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine. You can find pics of it on google
If you are not afraid of heights, from Osaka it’s an easy day trip to “Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge World” which is pretty interesting for bridge enthusiasts.
Akashi bridge, not in Osaka but in Akashi that is not far from Osaka. Longest suspended bridge in Japan.
There is also the legendary Oshita bridge, but not sure where that one is.
If you love bridge, you absolutely must take the water bus – it looks really cool as well like an alien spaceship.
https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/
I mean, the Seto bridge is jaw dropping. But, it’s like 3 hours drive from Kyoto. Or you can take a train across it.
As Germans from that area, we absolutely had to visit “Kölner Aussicht” to look at Kiyosu Bridge when we were in Tokyo.
I think there also was a geo cache that we collected.
[https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kolner-aussicht](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kolner-aussicht)
Can I recommend Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni City? It’s a beautiful wooden bridge with five arches, crossing the Nishiki River. You’ll enjoy the nice views and the historical atmosphere it has!
I love plans like this.
Harimaya Bridge in Tokyo is a replica of an Edo era bridge with a small display nearby that should take your interest: [Article about the area](https://soranews24.com/2023/06/18/this-kochi-sightseeing-spot-is-one-of-japans-three-most-disappointing-spots-but-should-it-be/)
The Shimonami Kaido is a nice day tour of some great bridges to the inland sea. Combine that with a train ride back to the mainline and You’ll tick off some good ones.
Look at Shimanami Kaido cycling route, this is a really nice scenery with some stunning (modern) bridges.
It’s not a new or magnificent bridge, but Togetsukyo in Arashiyama, Kyoto?
I can highly recommend a walk across the Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba in Tokyo, whether you’re a bridge enthusiast or not.
There’s a stone bridge at Senso-ji temple in Tokyo that’s the oldest in the city.
Yes, Tsukudakobashi and Toyomi Bridge. Both are often used in TV shows and commercials. You could start at Kachidoki Bridge (my personal fave, and must be seen at night) and work your way down to Toyomi Bridge, which is next to Eitaibashi. I’d recommend walking across Eitaibashi to Monzennakacho for dinner. There is a an area with lots of izakaya. Chuo-Ohashi bridge is great one too. There is a really great view from the promenade just below the bridge too. Chuo-ku is the perfect area for a bridge lover. The monjayaki street in Tsukishima (between Kachidoki and Chuo-ohashi) is also a great place to eat.
Bridges in Japan.
[The list (it is in Japanese use google translate)](https://www.jalan.net/news/article/456802/)
Go to the Inland (Seto) Sea. There are some phenomenal bridges connecting Shikoku to Honshu.
… and I thought you wanted to play Bridge in Japan.
If you were going to Hiroshima area, I’d recommend the Shimanami Kaido bike route. Crossing like 7 different looking bridges was awesome.
Make sure to take the train to Obaida and cross the Rainbow Bridge. And visit Odaiba’s malls near it too!
Probably a bit far away, but the Okawachiyama hidden pottery town near Inasa in Kyushu has a beautiful bridge made from pottery!
You can see it on this article: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e8303.html
There is a super pretty bridge over a koi pond in the grounds of Sensōji Temple in Tokyo. As you face the main shrine, take the path around the building to the left, and it’s just on your left.
It’s called Stone Bridge, it was built in 1618 and is apparently the oldest bridge in Tokyo! The sign next to it says it was designated as an important beauty in 1948!
A cool bridge that’s a train station I’d like to go to is this okuoi kojo station Okuoikojo Station Observatory
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gZc7SfU5Sn3vJuyg6
These might not be the kind of bridges you have in mind, but how about:
* [Kazurabashi](https://en.japantravel.com/tokushima/kazurabashi-rope-bridge-of-iya/32872), a rope bridge in the Iya Valley on Shikoku.
* Or a [vine bridge(s)](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vine-bridges-japan), also in the Iya Valley.
* Or the [Aioi Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aioi_Bridge) in Hiroshima, “The original bridge, constructed in 1932, was the aiming point for the 1945 Hiroshima atom bomb because its shape was easily recognized from the air and also because the bridge was close to the center of the city. Although the bridge was not destroyed by the atomic blast, it did sustain heavy damage. After the war, the bridge was repaired and remained in service for nearly four decades, before it was replaced by a new bridge (built as a replica) in 1983. “
I’m not sure if your partner is more into BIG rail/transportation bridges over bodies of water or canyons, or is equally interested in smaller bridges over rivers or even tiny creeks. If the latter, the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto is a fun little walk with tons of little roads and paths that cross a small creek. In addition, although this may be impossible if your lodging is booked, Nagasaki has a ton of awesome bridges including the Meganebashi, and I’ve always wanted to see Kintaikyo as well, which is … also not really a ‘day trip’ from Kansai.
However! I think your trip sounds amazing!
Ujibashi Bridge over the Uji River in the city of Uji, just south of Kyoto on the way to Nara. 7th century wooden bridge and has been used as a basis for art and literature in Japanese culture.
In Kyoto Arashiyama is a bridge which makes it on many go-see-this-thing lists for tourists. Not sure it is great or anything (I found it meh), but, for me a bridge is a thing to not get wet
https://goo.gl/maps/iZ7hJEgTPt1BtKL1A
Ryujin Big Suspension Bridge in Ibaraki. If you’re really adventurous you can bungy jump from it.
Every bridge on the Shimamani Kaido!
Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line bridge
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Tokyo_Bay_Aqua-Li…
5
With an overall length of 23.7 km, it includes a 4.4 km bridge and 9.6 km tunnel underneath the bay—the fourth-longest underwater tunnel in the world. Tokyo Wan …
Horai Bridge in Shimada, Shizuoka Prefecture, the world’s longest wooden pedestrian bridge.
There is a ferry from Odaiba to Asakusa along the Sumida River, so you can view Kachidoki Bridge, Eitai Bridge in a single trip.
Once you arrive in Asakusa, it is a short walk to the Tobu Sumidagawa Rail Bridge and Sakurabashi.
There’s a lot of cute bridges in the Gion district – I liked the Gion Tatsumi Bridge and the Furumonzen Bridge. They can also get pretty romantic at night!
If you like cycling, do the Shimanami Kaido! You get to go over some cool bridges.
Edit: some others have already recommended it, so consider this just a boost to those comments 😆
You can check out the “Spectacles Bridge” in Nagasaki.
In episode 2 of modern love Tokyo (amazon prime show) 2 people also walk on a special bridge. It’s named Nittabashi bridge: or is short: [Nitta Bridge](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066449-d17376422-Reviews-Nitta_Bridge-Koto_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html) in Tokyo. It looks like a pretty normal bridge but in the episode the man talks to the woman about the origin of the bridge: It’s build by Akahige san who lived very close to the place where the bridge is build. The bridge was build for his wife that passed away. ”A bridge is a boundary. It connects the borders of two worlds. So Akahige san hoped to connect this world with the afterworld, so that his wife could visit this side whenever she liked”. (that is what the show is saying. I don’t know if it’s true. Interesting story, sad and romantic in a way. I think). Hope this helps and what a great idea for visiting Japan for a bridge enthusiast! <3
You’re probably not going to be there at the right time, but just in case you are and fancy a trip way into the Nara mountains, I have heard rumours of [this](https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/E02059/) being a thing that happens and involves a bridge…!
The two railway bridges over the Fuji river can offer some spectacular pics of bridge+train+Mt. Fuji (*on a clear day). You can’t cross them but there is a road bridge further south (Fujikawa bridge), and from the western bank of the Fuji river you’ll get the best photos. Closest JR-stations are Fuji and Fujikawa, closest Shinkansen station is Shin-Fuji on the line between Tokyo-Nagoya.
Also in Kyoto next to Umekōji-Kyōtonishi station there is a short section of disused railway viaduct which now features food stalls on top. It’s a cool reuse of space imo, and you can see the old shinkansen in the Kyoto railway museum (highly recommended!) from there.
If you want a fun off the beaten path bridge that would be a nice overnight trip between Kyoto and Nagoya, Kinomoto in Shiga Prefecture has got you covered. I’m actually doing this myself at the end of July 🙂
Day 1: Arrive in Kinomoto via Kyoto in the afternoon. It’s about a 90-minute train ride from Kyoto on the special rapid train. Pro-tip: Try to catch the Tsuruga-bound train and sit in the first car. As the train travels up Lake Biwa, it decouples in Maibara so sitting in the first car ensures you won’t have to change cars there.
There are two reasonably-priced ryokan in the town—Kusano Ryokan and Seisenkaku Ryokan. A bit further from the town center is a shrine that operates a ryokan and has adorable cats all around you can hang with. It’s called Sokotei Gennai.
After you check in, walk up the main road to visit the Jizo Temple. It’s home to the largest Jizo statue in Japan and has cute ceramic frogs that are used to pray for your eye health.
After you get done checking out the temple, you’ll continue to head uphill to Ohofura Shrine. At this Shinto Shrine you’ll see a very exaggerated stone arched bridge that has been there for hundreds of years. Local kids like to use it as a jungle gym lol. The shrine itself was founded in the year 645. On the backside of the shrine you’ll find a hiking trail lined with stone jizo statues that have been there for generations.
After you’re done exploring the temple, head back to your ryokan for a delicious Ohmi style meal. Or if you want to explore a local spot, near the train station is an old school eatery called パピヨン (Papillon) that is good. The sort of place that serves curry rice and Hamburg steak and is probably playing enka music in the background.
Day 2: Have breakfast at the ryokan. Or Tsuruya-pan Bakery by the temple has nice sandwiches and breakfast pastry options.
Before leaving for Nagoya there are two shops in town worth stopping in for goodies. They are both on the same street as Tsuruya-pan. The first is Tomita Brewery. It’s a 16th generation sake brewery that was also the courthouse for the town back in feudal days. Their sake is A++. The second is Shirokiya Soy Sauce Brewery. They have been brewing soy sauce since the early 1800s and it’s fantastic. I always buy multiple jugs to bring home! If they happen to be closed the day you go, a bit further down the road is Daiko Soy Sauce, another 19th Century brewer with excellent sauce.
After you check out of your ryokan, be sure to visit the farmers market that is located inside the train station. All sorts of delicious treats are usually available. From Kinomoto Station it’s about 90 minutes to Nagoya (faster if you transfer to the shinkansen in Maibara).
Bonus activity: Taking the chair lift to the top of Mount Shizugatake! You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo and a history lesson on the battle that happened on this mountain that unified Japan: https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/347
Rainbow bridge at night is like staring into the universe, infinite lights surrounds the reflecting blackness of the river beneath. I played the opening theme of Ghost in the Shell and got such an eerie feeling.
I’ve also been to a bridge connecting Naruto (Shikoku) with the main island and there are whirlpools underneath. The bridge also has a museum hanging on the underside but I don’t remember the name.
Togetsu-kyo (Kyoto)
If you have time to visit Hiroshima region I would add Kintaikyo Bridge and the Shimanami Kaido to the list as well
Oh!! If you’ve got time for a day trip outside of Tokyo you MUST visit Shinkyo Bridge Shinto shrine in Nikko!
It’s a beautiful, classic Japanese bridge over a gorgeous river. Plus the whole thing is a shrine where many weddings are performed! It’s extremely romantic <3 and good luck to boot!
Shinkyo Bridge
https://g.co/kgs/XSznLb
Like everyone is saying, Shikoku really is a bridge-lovers paradise. In addition to all the amazing bridges everyone else has mentioned, the Shimantogawa river in Kochi has “chinka-bashi” which are bridges without any rails so when the water rises it just flows over the bridge without damaging it.
In Naruto there is a walkway underneath the Onaruto bridge where you can walk out and look through glass panels in the floor at the Naruto whirlpools.
Definitely consider making Shikoku part of your plans!