The Akashi Kaikyo bridge is a remarkable engineering marvel located just outside of Kobe, in the nearby city of Akaishi. It spans nearly 4km across the Akashi straight and held world’s largest suspension bridge span until 2022, connecting mainland Japan to the small island of Awaji. Construction of the bridge began in 1988 and was completed 10 years later in 1998. This impressive mega structure stands prominently in Osaka Bay and has become an icon in the Kansai region of Japan.
Earthquakes and typhoons are common in Japan, adding complexities when building such mega structures. The Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 greatly affected the construction stage, as it extended the distance between the main supporting towers by 1 meter, resulting in a unique engineering challenge late in the construction period.
The Akashi Kaikyo bridge has over 1700 light bulbs attached to it, which can be programmed to illuminate patterns or colours depending on the desire of the bridge operators. There are a total of 28 pattern presets used, all for various things, including holidays, festivals, or ceremonies. Patterns change by hour, weekday, and time of year, so you may see a different colour variation with each visit. The illumination schedule can be found on the bridge’s official website.
For those wanting to get a closer look at the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, visit the Maiko Marine Promenade, an observation deck beneath the bridge. It offers a unique perspective of the massive structure and panoramic views of the Akashi Strait and surrounding landscapes. The Maiko Marine promenade can be accessed by an elevator on the Kobe side of the bridge (North) and allows you to view the water below a height of about 50 meters.
For a great view of the bridge for both day and night visits, visit Hyogo Prefectural Park on the Kobe side of the bridge, a short walk from Maiko Station. Alternatively, if you want to see the bridge from above, visit the nearby Sumaura Koen, and view the bridge from the west observation deck.
The Bridge Exhibition Centre is also a great place to learn more about the bridge construction and the area’s development. Unfortunately, the exhibits are vastly in Japanese, with very little to no English present.
The bridge is a toll road for those travelling by car, with the fare one way of 2300JPY. Despite the high fare, it is estimated that 23,000 cars travel across the bridge daily.
Hours and Admission - Maiko Marine Promenade
- 9:15am - 5:00pm (Will change according to seasons) - Last entry 30 minutes prior to closing.
- 310JPY
- Official Website
- Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a public holiday) & December 29 to January 3.
Accessing Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is located along the shoreline of the city of Akashi, just outside the city of Kobe.
To visit the bridge, you can take either the JR Line or the Sanyo Line, and get off at Maiko Station or Maikokoen Station, both will get you within minutes of the worlds largest suspension bridge.
Please note that this bridge is a toll bridge, which costs 2,300JPY one way, so keep that in mind so you don’t get an unexpected fees.
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Where to Stay
Hostel Anchorage
Affordable place to stay with a range of lodging options, from capsule style rooms, to private rooms.
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kobe Sannomiya Chuo Dori
Highly rated, modern chain hotel in the heart of Kobe, with luxurious and spacious rooms.
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Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko
Hotel with stunning views of the Osaka bay and the Akashi Kaikyo bridge directly from your hotel room, mere minutes on foot from the bridge.
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