Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Awaji Travel Guide

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Experience the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, a symbol of Japanese engineering and resilience, offering stunning views and a glimpse into bridge-building technology.

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Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is a stunning suspension bridge connecting Kobe on Honshu Island to Awaji Island, spanning the Akashi Strait. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world until 2022. The bridge is a symbol of Japan's engineering prowess and offers breathtaking views.

A brief summary to Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

4 Higashimaikocho, Kobe, Higashimaikocho, Tarumi-ku, Hyogo, 655-0047, JP
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.

Visit the Maiko Marine Promenade for unique views of the bridge's interior and the Akashi Strait.
Check the illumination schedule to see the bridge's stunning light displays at night.
Consider the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World tour for access to the top of the bridge's towers and panoramic views.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Uzu no Oka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Museum

Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park

Hyogo Prefecture Awaji Hanasajiki

Awaji World Park Onokoro

Awaji Yumebutai

Explore Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From Sannomiya Station in Kobe, take the JR Sanyo Line to Maiko Station (approx. 25 minutes, 320 yen). The Bridge Exhibition Center and Maiko Marine Promenade are a short walk from the station.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available in Kobe. A taxi from Sannomiya Station to the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge area will cost approximately 2,500 - 3,500 yen, depending on traffic.

Discover more about Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is a testament to modern engineering, stretching almost four kilometers across the Akashi Strait. Connecting Kobe on Honshu Island with Awaji Island, it forms a vital part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. The bridge was constructed as part of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project to improve transportation links and safety between the main islands.Before the bridge's completion in 1998, ferries were the primary means of crossing the Akashi Strait. However, the strait was prone to severe storms, leading to tragic accidents, including a 1955 incident where two ferries sank, resulting in 168 fatalities. This spurred the government to prioritize the construction of a bridge that could withstand harsh weather conditions and seismic activity.The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge boasts impressive statistics: a total length of 3,911 meters, a central span of 1,991 meters, and towers rising 282.8 meters above sea level. The bridge is designed to withstand winds of up to 286 km/h and earthquakes up to magnitude 8.5. Its construction involved innovative techniques, including a new method for building deep foundations and the use of high-strength wires for the main cables.Visitors can experience the bridge in several ways. The Maiko Marine Promenade, located beneath the bridge on the Kobe side, offers unique views of the bridge's interior and the Akashi Strait. The Bridge Exhibition Center provides information about the bridge's construction and technology, though primarily in Japanese. For a more exclusive experience, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge World tour allows visitors to ascend to the top of one of the bridge's towers for panoramic views. At night, the bridge is illuminated by over 1,700 lights, creating a dazzling display known as the 'Pearl Bridge'.