Currently, several bridges connect Honshu and Shikoku, or Honshu and Awaji Island. Among these bridges, the one that is said to be the world’s largest suspension bridge is ″Akaishi Kaikyo Ohashi”. Anyway, it’s long and huge. People who see it for the first time may be surprised at how big it is. This time,Akaishi KaikyoWe will introduce you to the details about the world’s largest suspension bridge, which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records and has an amazing view.

①What is “Akashi Kaikyo Bridge”, the world’s largest suspension bridge?

Akashi KaikyoOhashi is a suspension bridge that connects Kobe City and Awaji City in Hyogo Prefecture. It is one of the world’s largest suspension bridges with a bridge length of 3,911m and a center span length of 1,991m. It opened in April 1998.

❶How long is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge the longest suspension bridge in the world?

Now,Akashi KaikyoThe Ohashi Bridge is the third largest suspension bridge in the world in length and the second largest in center span length. Generally, when determining the length of a bridge, the following two lengths are compared:

①Bridge length

Bridge length is the overall length of the bridge.

②Central span length

Center span length is the distance between the towers supporting the bridge girder. When comparing the scale of suspension bridges, the comparison is made based on the center span length rather than the bridge length. When comparing the lengths of suspension bridges, the ranking is determined by comparing the length of the ″center span length”, which is how long the bridge girder is supported. By the way, at the time of its completion, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge was the world’s longest in both length and center span length. For this reason, it was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records.

❷Nickname of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge: “Pearl Bridge”

Akashi Kaikyo The bridge’s nickname is “Pearl Bridge.” The origin of the nickname is that Awaji Island is the largest producer of pearl nuclei in Japan, and the pearls are processed on the opposite shore in Kobe. Also Akashi Kaikyo The bridge is lit up at night. Akashi Kaikyo The bridge has a variety of illumination patterns depending on the season and time, so you can create it as you like. By the way, in 2023, when Hanshin won the league championship, it was lit up in a yellow and black tiger pattern.

❸“Exhilarating Drive” What does it feel like to actually cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge by car?

In fact, driving across the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge feels very refreshing.
It feels refreshing.Also, when you return to Honshu from Awaji Island at night, the skyscrapers of Kobe are lit up and the night view is beautiful.

➁“Awaji Service Area” A must-see spot with a panoramic view of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge! ︎

▲The view from the terrace of the down service area

Awaji Service Area is the ″service area attached to Awaji IC” on the Kobe Awaji Naruto Expressway. The location is Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. The specific location is on the Awaji Island side. Akashi KaikyoIt is approximately 3 minutes by car from Ohashi.

❶What is Awaji Service Area?

The Awaji service area has two service areas, up and down, and you can move between the two service areas while riding in your car. To get around, you can get in a car and go either up or down, go around the rotary, cross the check gate, and go to the service area on the other side. It’s surprisingly easy to do.

There is also the Awaji SA Giant Ferris Wheel at the Awaji Service Area. It is a scenic spot where you can see Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and other areas in 15 minutes per lap.

➂“Roadside Station Awaji” You can see Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from below!!

Roadside Station Awaji is a roadside station on Awaji Island. Akashi Kaikyo It is a roadside station located directly under the Ohashi Bridge. The specific location is Akashi KaikyoIt is located on the “anchorage” (concrete pier) at the base of the bridge.

❶What is roadside station Awaji like?

What is Roadside Station Awaji? Akashi KaikyoThis is a roadside station where you can see the Ohashi Bridge from directly below.
Akashi KaikyoYou can see a spectacular view from just below the bridge.
Also, the plaza is in a great location. Akashi Kaikyo You can enjoy your meal while looking out at the Ohashi Bridge.

④​​“View Matsuho No Sato” Where you can soak in a hot spring while looking at the bridge!!

“View Matsuho No Sato” is a day-trip hot spring located on the top of a hill right near the Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi Bridge on Awaji Island. The exact address is Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is conveniently located about 5 minutes by car from Awaji IC.

❶What kind of hot spring is “View Matsuho No Sato”?

View Matsuho Nosato is a hot spring with a spectacular view of Akaishi kaikyo Ohashi Bridge from its open-air bath. You can take a relaxing soak in a Japanese-style open-air bath built with stone pavement and a turret, or in a modern Western-style open-air bath. View Matsuho No Sato is the best viewpoint.

⑤”Okura Coast” Perfect spot for fishing and walking!!

Okura Beach is a coast located on the Honshu side in the eastern part of Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Originally it was a beach, but it has now been renovated and turned into a seaside park. Today, Okura Beach is a fishing spot crowded with anglers.

▲There is also a beautiful well-maintained sandy beach.

⑥Access information to Awaji service area

Here you will find detailed information about access to the Awaji service area. The address of Awaji Service Area is “Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture”.

❶Route from Kobe City to Awaji Service Area by car

Shin-Kobe ⇒ Prefectural Road ⇒ Hanshin No. 3 Kobe Line ⇒ Daini Shinmei Road ⇒ Hanshin No. 5 Wangan Line ⇒ Kobe Awaji Naruto Expressway ⇒ Awaji IC (Awaji Service Area)

Summary

This time, we introduced Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the world’s largest suspension bridges that has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records and has an amazing view. If you pass by Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi Bridge during the day, you will be overwhelmed by its length and size. Also, at night, it is illuminated in vivid colors, making for a spectacular view. When you cross from Honshu to Awaji Island, we recommend that you take your time to enjoy the overwhelming view of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

▲Akashi kaikyo Ohashi Bridge