Engineering Marvels

Connecting land masses and peoples for centuries, bridges are a marvelous feat of civil engineering and architecture that are often taken for granted. From the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to Tower Bridge in London, Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia to Charles Bridge in Prague, each of these giants carry with them as much of their own unique function as they do character. Lets briefly look at some of the best that Japan has to offer.

Note: For travel in Japan, the website Hyperdia is a fantastic tool for non Japanese speakers. It provides accurate subway, local and bullet train timetables and prices. It can be found here.





Kanmon Bridge in misty weather

At 712m, the Kanmon bridge serves the purpose of connecting Japan's main islland Honshu, with its most southern island, Kyushu. Photo courtesy of my collegue James Martin

1. Kanmon Bridge

At 712 meters, Kanmon Bridge barely makes it into the top 50 longest suspension bridges in the world. However, its function connects millions of people and allows ease of travel between two of Japan's four main islands. To the north of the bridge on Honshu island is the city of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture; famous for its fugu (pufferfish) and home to the Goda-ikka Yakuza group. To the south of the bridge on Kyushu island is the city of Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture; the original bombing site for one of the nuclear weapons used in World War Two and home to the breathtaking Kokura Castle. Between these two cities, in what is known as the Kanmon region, are some 1.3 million residents. Along with serving these people, the Kanmon Bridge is generally responsible for increasing tourism and trade between these two islands of Japan.

If you fancy a visit, it can be viewed for free from either side. However, as it is part of an expressway, if you want to cross it by car, tolls will incur for your journey.

Kanmon Bridge during sunset

This breathtaking view can be seen for free from the Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture side of the bridge. Photo Courtesty of my collegue C. Sullivan

Kanmon Bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge at dusk

At almost 2km in length, thhe Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world. Photo courtesy of my collegue C. T. Douglas

Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project links

The yellow line connects Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Honshu island to Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku island, via Awaji Island in the Seto inland sea. Creative Commons

2. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

At 1,991 km, the Akashi Kaikyo (straits) Bridge boasts the title of longest suspension bridge in the world, and has done so since its opening in 1998. This bridge was constructed as part of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project - a system of bridges connecting Japan's largest of four main islands, Honshu, with the smallest of the four, Shikoku. Before these series of bridges were completed, Shikoku was only accessible by ferry.

Akashi Kaikyo connects the city of Kobe, found in Hyogo prefecture, to Awaji Island, a lesser island found in the Seto Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku and also part of Hyogo prefecture. Public demand for this bridge was huge due to the dangerous storm prone straits. Demand grew to boiling point and public outrage ensued after the sinking of two ferries in the 50's, killing over 150 passengers. Construction finally began in 1988.

Viewing can be done for free, and the bridge is best seen from one of the many beaches dotted along the coast on the Kobe side. If you wish to cross this bridge by car, a toll of ¥2,300 (€17, $21, £13) is currently in operation.

If you are feeling adventurous, it is possible to get a tourinside the structure of this bridge, including a panoramic view from 98 stories up. Tours leave from the Bridge Exhibition Center which is located on the Kobe side of the bridge and is very accessible by train and bus. The fee is ¥3,000 (€22, $28, £17) for an adult and reservations must be made in advance through the website, fax or in person. I.D. must brought on the day.

Inside Akashi Bridge

Tours cost ¥3,000 per adult and ¥1,500 for persons ages 13 to 15. There is no tour in the Winter season, December - March. Reservations required. Photo Courtesy of my collegue, C. T. Douglas

Akashi Bridge

The author of this article, Ciaran, standing beside Kintai bridge, a Japanese national treasure and popular tourist destination. Photo Courtesy of my collegue C. T. Douglas

3. Kintai Bridge

Kintai bridge is located in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. With just over 100,000 residents, Iwakuni is a small city by Japanese standards. However, between the distinguished Kintai bridge and the adjacent mountain-top based Iwakuni Castle, tourists come from all over to view these impressive structures.

The bridge, completed in 1673 and thought to be flood proof, was destroyed in a flood the following year. Like many Asian monuments, it was decided that the bridge be rebuilt every 20 years for the center arches, and 40 years for the lateral arches connecting to land. This may come as a surprise to westerners who often prefer to see ancient ruins rather than modern replicas. However, this method of periodic reconstruction does allow traditional woodcraft skill to be preserved from generation to generation, and also provides the public with a direct look into history.

The bridge stood again until 1950 when a typhoon destroyed it. The destruction can be attributed to its weakened state at the time due to lack of maintenance during the war period, and also due to American forces taking gravel from the river bed the previous year to expand their Marine base, strengthening the river flow. In 1953 it was rebuilt using metal nails for reinforcement, previously unused in its construction.

Iwakuni city is extremely accessible from Hiroshima city by train or bus and can make a great day trip for tourists looking to extend their travels from there. It is also worth noting that as of 2012, the American defensive military base in Iwakuni now serves commercial flights to Tokyo.

Viewing of Kintai bridge can be done for free 24 hours a day (bridge illuminations switched off at 10pm), with the most popular time of year for visitors being the cherry blossom season. During this time, cherry blossoms line the banks of the river and provide a striking pink backdrop, complimenting the traditional Japanese structure and providing a uniquely Japanese experience.

To cross the bridge by foot, an adult fee of ¥300 (€2.20, $2.75, £1.70) per person or ¥250 (€1.80, $2.30, £1.42) per person per group (15 people or more) will incur. Elementary students are slightly cheaper and infants and small children are free.

Package tickets can be bought which include crossing of the bridge, use of the ropeway leading to Iwakuni Castle (return ticket) and entrance to the castle. Prices are roughly ¥1,000 (€7.30, $9.20, £5.70) for adults, ¥500 (€3.65, $4.60, £2.85) yen for children and slightly less for groups.





The arches of Kintai Bridge

Kintai Bridge displays fine traditional Japanese wood craft. The nighttime illumination combined with the reflection from the river leave a lasting impression. Creative Commons

Kintai Bridge

Togetsu Bridge during a typhoon

When beauty meets nature - Togetsu bridge battles a typhoon during Japan's rainy season. Creative Commons

4. Togetsu Bridge

The stereotype amongst the Japanese regarding Kyoto is that it's people are mature and cultured. This stems from the fact that Kyoto, once Japan's capital and arguable center of its civilisation and arts, has maintained its traditional and elegant essence, seamlessly integrating it into modern society. Temples can be seen weaved amongst modern shopping streets.



Togetsu Bridge, a landmark for hundreds of years which embodies the Kyoto aesthetic, effortlessly integrating into nature, is a popular tourist destination to the West of Kyoto city, located in Arashiyama. Originally built in the Heian Period (794 - 1185), the current bridge was rebuilt in 1934 using columns and beams made up of disguised concrete and still appears wooden.

Togetsu translates as "moon crossing" and gets it's name from Emperor Kameyama of the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333) who while boating, commented on how the moon appeared to be crossing the bridge. The bridge lives up to its romantic name, and with a backdrop of cherry blossoms in Spring or an array of Autumn colours following the summer, it provides a memorable spectacle only Kyoto can offer. Combined with the opportunity to feed wild koi, *observe cormorant fishing (summer only), take a trip through Arashiyama's iconic bamboo grove, and see wild monkeys on the mountain slopes, a visit to Togetsu is a must-do trip if you plan to visit Kyoto.

Tokgetsu Bridge is accessible by car, bus and train, though train is recommended to avoid traffic jams. The fastest route is a direct train from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sanin Line, taking 15 minutes and costing ¥240 (€1.75, $2.20, £1.40). Viewing and crossing the bridge is free.

*It's possible to take a cruise on a cormorant fishing boat during summer with a 1 hour cruise costing ¥1,700, (€12, $16, £10)

Togetsu Bridge during summer

The romantic Togetsu Bridge is a popular tourist destination from Kyoto Creative Commons

Arashiyama's "Sagano Bamboo Forest"

Arashiyama's "Sagano Bamboo Forest" is located near Togetsu Bridge and is an iconic symbol of Japan. It is worth preparing yourself for the fact that the bamboo forest is not very long, a point which underwhelms some people. Creative Commons

Saga-Arashiyama Station

Rainbow Bridge by day

Rainbow Bridge, painted white to harmonise with the Tokyo skyline, viewed from the mainland side. Creative Commons

5. Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge connects Shibaura Pier, a northern section of Tokyo bay to Odaiba, a group of artificial islands originally built for defensive purposes in the 1850s. Daiba refer to the cannons batteries placed on the island and some, like "Dai-San Daiba" or "Number 3 battery" can still be viewed today.



Modern Odaiba has been extensively developed commercially and residentially, and though not the only means of accessing Odaiba from mainland Tokyo, Rainbow Bridge is hugely responsible for the rise in popularity of the area as a shopping and sightseeing destination for both tourists and Tokyoites.



Rainbow Bridge, painted a brilliant white colour to harmonise with the Tokyo skyline is a tourist attraction in itself, and its some 800 meters can be traversed by foot. The bridge houses two walkways; one on the north side offering views of the city skyline, and one on the south side which allows for a view of Mt. Fuji on a clear day.



Rainbow Bridge, though not its official name (Shuto Expressway No. 11 Daiba Route), is so called due to the red, green and white lights, powered by solar energy collected daily, and found on the wires supporting the bridge, illuminating the bridge in a rainbow pattern at night. This in itself is an impressive sight not to be missed.

The bridge can be viewed from both the Tokyo mainland and Odaiba side, day or night for free. It is accessible by foot from Tamachi or Shibaura Futo Station on the mainland and crossing the bridge is also free.

Rainbow Bridge by night

Displaying its namesake, rainbow bridge is illuminated at night using red, green and white lamps, powered by solar energy obtained each day. Creative Commons

Rainbow Bridge

What is an article about Japanese engineering without a mention of giant robots. Odaiba is currently home to a 1/1 scale, 18 meter high Gundam statue. Self Collection

Dave from Osaka on August 22, 2015:

The illumination of the akashi bridge is amazing, and the colors change.

https://hubpages.com/travel/Akashi-Longest-Suspens...

DeCeol (author) from Ireland on November 16, 2014:

Thanks for the continued support guys.

The Sagano Bamboo Forest really is a symbol of Japan and has outstanding beauty. I would recommend a trip to Kyoto for anybody thinking to visit Japan.

Paula from The Midwest, USA on November 15, 2014:

I enjoyed this hub and photos of the different bridges at the different times of year. The arches of the Kintai Bridge at night are beautiful. I especially liked the Sagano Bamboo Forest photo. Amazing! The Thank you for sharing.

RAJESH CHANDRA PANDEY from India on November 15, 2014:

Your post has been rightly chosen as HOTD. I really enjoyed the post because of the beautiful snaps that you have placed within the article. Thanks

Tiago Damião from Torres Novas on November 15, 2014:

One day I hope to visit Japan, and you help me a lot, thanks :D

Dianna Mendez on November 15, 2014:

Congratulations on HOD award. It certainly deserves the honor. I love the different bridges pictured here, especially the Kintai. It would be most lovely to see the Bamboo forest. Thanks for sharing this information.

DeCeol (author) from Ireland on November 15, 2014:

Thanks for your kind comments janshares and Robert Sacchi.

I will continue to write more articles along this format. I hope you can enjoy them. Best regards.

Jaye Denman from Deep South, USA on November 15, 2014:

I enjoyed this very interesting topic and the marvelous photos that illustrate it. Congratulations for a well-deserved Hub of the Day! Voted Up+++

Jaye

Robert Sacchi on November 15, 2014:

This is an interesting article with good pictures. I especially like the Rainbow Bridge picture.

Janis Leslie Evans from Washington, DC on November 15, 2014:

Now this is a great example of a HOTD: Informative, original, well-written and formatted, excellent use of hubtools, and just stellar! Congratulations, DeCeol. Great job, love the images, love the robot. Voted up, beautiful, and interesting.

DeCeol (author) from Ireland on November 15, 2014:

Thanks for the feedback guys.

mySuccess8, I have not had the privilege to visit the wooden shrine at Ise yet. I'm familiar with it though as it was not very far from where I used to live. Hopefully I can get there someday and report back :)

I might do a blog on shrines soon.

Jack Franz from Sweden on November 15, 2014:

Really interesting article. Thank you!

mySuccess8 on November 15, 2014:

You have made a great selection of 5 of the many wonderful bridges in Japan. There have been a lot of advances in innovative engineering technologies for bridge design and construction all over the world, including in Japan. One construction method that caught my special attention, which you mentioned in the article, is the periodic reconstruction of replica of the same wooden bridge, with the advantages of allowing traditional wood craft skill to be preserved from generation to generation, and also providing the public with a direct look into history. I had the opportunity to visit the wooden Ise Shrine in Mie prefecture, Japan, in June 2014 recently, where the same method of periodic reconstruction of the replica of the same wooden shrine is practiced for the same reasons. Congrats on Hub of the Day!

Marian O Brien on October 08, 2014:

Bet you didn't know, I love bridges especially suspension bridges. I think they're magical.

DeCeol (author) from Ireland on October 08, 2014:

I have yet to go there myself but the Millau Bridge certainly looks magnificent. Hopefully I can go there in future!

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on October 08, 2014:

What engineering marvels these are. I was once blown away by the Millau Bridge and since then, I have started taking notice of bridges. I have seen some of these Japan's bridges watching NHK. Thanks for sharing this here.