About
Eshima Ohashi Bridge
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge, known in Japanese as 江島大橋, is a rigid-frame bridge connecting Matsue in Shimane Prefecture and Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Spanning Lake Nakaumi, it was constructed between 1997 and 2004, becoming the largest rigid-frame bridge in Japan and the third largest worldwide. (en.wikipedia.org)
The bridge has gained fame for its steep appearance in photographs, often referred to as the "Roller Coaster Bridge." This optical illusion is due to telephoto lens photography, which exaggerates the incline. In reality, the bridge has a gradient of 6.1% on the Shimane side and 5.1% on the Tottori side. (en.wikipedia.org)
Before the Eshima Ohashi Bridge was built, a drawbridge connected the two cities. However, this drawbridge frequently caused traffic delays of 7 to 8 minutes to allow ships to pass and restricted vehicles over 14 tons. The new bridge alleviated these issues, accommodating larger vehicles and improving traffic flow. (en.wikipedia.org)
The bridge's total length is approximately 1.7 kilometers (1,446.2 meters for the bridge section), with a width of 11.3 meters. It carries two lanes of traffic with a speed limit of 40 km/h. The highest point of the bridge reaches 44.7 meters above the water, allowing large ships to pass underneath. (en.wikipedia.org)
The Eshima Ohashi Bridge has become a popular tourist attraction, especially for photography enthusiasts aiming to capture its dramatic incline. The bridge offers panoramic views of Lake Nakaumi and, on clear days, Mount Daisen. Visitors are advised to use designated areas for photography to ensure safety, as stopping on the bridge is prohibited.