Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Settsu Travel Guide

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Experience the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, once the world's longest suspension bridge, offering stunning views and a testament to engineering prowess.

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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. It was the world's longest suspension bridge until 2022. The bridge is a symbol of Japan's advanced engineering and offers breathtaking views of the Akashi Strait.

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 a thrilling walk with glass floors offering views of the sea below.
Take the Bridge World tour for a guided climb to the top of the bridge's towers for panoramic views (reservations required).
Visit at night to witness the bridge's stunning illumination with various color patterns.
Stop by the Bridge Exhibition Center to learn about the bridge's history and construction.
Check the seasonal hours and closing days for the Maiko Marine Promenade and Bridge Exhibition Center before visiting.

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Getting There

Public Transport

From Kobe, take the JR Sanyo Line to Maiko Station (approximately 25 minutes, ¥320). The Bridge Exhibition Center and Maiko Marine Promenade are a short walk from the station. Alternatively, take the Sanyo Railway Main Line to Maiko-Koen Station. From Osaka, take the train to Akashi Station. From there it is a 10 minute walk to the Akashi Ferry Terminal. Take the Akashi Awaji Ferry to Awaji Island. The fare is ¥600 for adults.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available in Kobe and Akashi. A taxi from central Kobe to the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge area will cost approximately ¥3,000-¥4,000, depending on traffic. A taxi from Akashi Station to the Akashi Ferry terminal will cost approximately ¥800-¥1000.
Driving

The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. If driving, take the expressway to the Maiko Interchange. Parking is available at Maiko Park near the bridge. Parking costs ¥200 per hour. Note that tolls apply for using the expressway; the toll for a regular car is ¥2,300.

Discover more about Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is an engineering marvel that forms a vital transportation link as part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, carrying approximately 23,000 vehicles daily. Spanning the Akashi Strait, a historically treacherous passage known for storms, the bridge replaced a vulnerable ferry service that had seen tragic accidents. The 1955 ferry disaster, which claimed 168 lives, was a key motivator for the bridge's construction.Completed in 1998, the bridge boasts a central span of 1,991 meters and a total length of 3,911 meters. Its construction involved innovative techniques to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including typhoon-force winds and earthquakes. The bridge's design incorporates features like a dual-hinged stiffening girder system and tuned mass dampers. During the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, the bridge withstood the tremors, a testament to its robust design.Visitors can experience the bridge in several ways. The Maiko Marine Promenade, a glass-enclosed walkway beneath the bridge deck, offers unique views of the Akashi Strait and the bridge's interior. The Bridge Exhibition Center details the bridge's construction and history. For a more exclusive experience, the Bridge World tour allows visitors to ascend to the top of one of the bridge's 300-meter-tall towers. At night, the bridge is illuminated by over 1,600 lights, creating a spectacular display.